DisplayPort to VGA not working

NowlingPro

Reputable
Jan 19, 2015
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I am trying to hook up a triple monitor display. I need one of my cables to start as DisplayPort and go to a VGA input on my monitor. I purchased an adapter to do this, however, it is not working. I am getting a no signal window on my monitor. I didn't know if I had to do something to activate it or not. It does not show in my device manager.
Specs
MSI Lightning Radeon R9 290x
AMD A-10 7850K
Asus A88X-Plus ATX
Crucial 16GB DDR3-1333
Samsung 840 EVO 120GB
Seagate Pipeline 500GB 5900RPM
Western Digital Caviar Blue 750GB 7200RPM
Corsair 750W 80+ Bronze PSU
Asus Xonar DS
NZXT Phantom
 
There are two types of adapters for display port. and setup of three or more monitors.
You have to make sure you get the right adapter though.

Active, or passive adapter. Active requires an extra power source via Usb ect.

If the wrong type its why you get no display from a three monitor setup. ok.

Do a search and look it up Active display port adapter.
 
Some points:

1. The Active Adapter linked above appears correct.
- it contains a DAC which must get power direct from the graphics card.
*However, is it possible that some DP connections don't have enough power to drive this directly? If so, you'd need one using an AC adapter instead.

2. No DVI-I on the card:
Probably obvious to the OP, but there are NO analog outputs on this card. Normally you get either a VGA connector only or a DVI-I; In the case of DVI-I there are both separate pins for Digital and Analog; the VGA "adapter" in this case simply connects to the VGA outputs.

(Whether VGA or the VGA path in DVI-I, these are all connected back to DVI through a Digital-to-Analog Converter chip or DAC. Modern cards drop this to save money as monitors that only have VGA are pretty rare now.)

3. No "setup" necessary using a DAC.

4. What OUTPUT combinations are actually supported?
Often not all combinations are supported so depending on the other monitors used it's unclear. My guess is it should work but I'm not certain.

5. Lack of handshaking an issue?
For VGA there's usually (always?) no communication back to the computer to identify itself and its capabilities. Therefore if you have an incorrect setting the monitor may not show any data.

Also, do you need the same REFRESH RATE for triple monitors? (I'm not sure) but if the VGA is a higher refresh rate that may also be an issue.

6. Buy a cheap VGA card?

Summary:
My main guess is you need a powered adapter.

My second guess is a compatibility issue, possibly refresh rate. Also, it's not clear if this is setup as SEPARATE monitors or one VIRTUAL screen. The virtual setup is much pickier.

My main suggestion is something like an HD6450 fanless graphics card if using screen as a SECONDARY monitor. Not only would you use its own video memory (and avoid using some of the R9-290X memory) but it's almost guaranteed to work unlike buying another adapter.
 


The monitor that isn't working is the Dell S2415H and the other 2 are Proscan brand but I don't have the part number. They are all 24" monitors. I am currently running them all individually and plan to set them up with eyefinity as one monitor later when they all work. I would rather not put anything else in my case as I am running out of space in it. I forgot to mention I have a wi-fi/bluetooth card in my computer too.