Question HELP!!! Win 11 not detecting/working with my 2nd and 3rd monitors!

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zenrunner92

zenrunner92

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Sep 3, 2011
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So I've just built an all new rig, replacing my old one only due to Microsoft's evil cessation of support of Win10 in October. Win 11 runs fine (was using it with a different monitor all week) EXCEPT for one thing: it detects the presence of my 2nd monitor (HP E201 connected via DP to USB-C) but keeps telling me "Display 1 is not active" (System>Display>Advanced Display) and does not detect the 3rd monitor at all (HP 231 connected via DP). My main monitor, a Dell connected via HDMI, is fine.

Is this a problem with the monitors being too old for Win 11? They were working fine in Win10. HP apparently does not offer a Win 11 driver for these two models, presumably because they are at least 10-12 years old.

Or is there an issue with my mobo? It's a brand new MSI Z790.

I realize it COULD be possible that both monitors' DP inputs were screwed to begin with (I bought both used off Craigslist and was using one with DVI and one with---don't laugh---VGA). Of course my current mobo doesn't offer those connections. Should I look for a video card that does offer DVI and/or VGA?

I would hate to have to buy two brand new monitors just because I went to Win 11! Not just the $$$ spent but needless e-waste.
 
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First of all, Microsoft is no more evil than any of the other large tech companies, which is to say, they are ALL evil cohorts.

At least Microshaft hasn't yet required people to pay a monthly subscription fee like almost every other tech company out there who felt like they could get away with it because their products are basically industry standard and not easily replaceable with open source products.

What are your FULL hardware specs including CPU, motherboard, graphics card, power supply, etc? And what, exactly are you using for EVERY video output AND from EXACTLY where, as in, graphics card or motherboard? There used to be problems with more than two digital outputs, but it's been some time since I've seen anybody have an issue due to this so I doubt that's the issue. I'm thinking this might well be a driver or motherboard limitation, especially if you don't have a discreet graphics card. Or, if you have an older one.
 
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As stated above full system specifications and where all the screens are being connected is required for any solid troubleshooting help.

Generic options you can try:
You can get fairly inexpensive dvi/hdmi adapters which would at least let you check to see if it's the monitors or not. You can also get dp/hdmi adapters as well if you needed to verify your DP ports on motherboard/video card are working.
 
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Darkbreeze said:
What are your FULL hardware specs including CPU, motherboard, graphics card, power supply, etc? And what, exactly are you using for EVERY video output AND from EXACTLY where, as in, graphics card or motherboard? There used to be problems with more than two digital outputs, but it's been some time since I've seen anybody have an issue due to this so I doubt that's the issue. I'm thinking this might well be a driver or motherboard limitation, especially if you don't have a discreet graphics card. Or, if you have an older one.
Click to expand...

It's a 100% work machine, zero gaming, zero video editing or anything remotely CPU/RAM intensive.
  • Intel Core i7-12700K
  • MSI Z790-P Pro WiFi DDR4 - Intel 770 onboard graphics
  • Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W PSU
  • Crucial Vengeance 2 x 16GB DDR4
  • Samsung 990 Plus 1TB NVme SSD
  • Monitor 1: Dell via HDMI
  • Monitor 2: HP E231 now via DP
  • Monitor 3: HP E201 currently in limbo (details below)
So today, I disconnected the DP-to-DP output cable to the HP E201 and plugged it into the E231 (which was previously connected using a USBc-to-DP cable that failed to work at all), which to my delight and relief, works fine.

This makes me think that:
  1. The DP input on the E201 doesn't work, since the same DP-to-DP cable that it was previously connected with now works fine with the E231 .
  2. The USBc output from the MSI 790 either doesn't work or needs to be activated somehow? Or isn't capable of supporting a 3rd display?
EDITED to add: #2 has been confirmed now that I've dug through the MSI manual. Sigh, guess an external graphics card is needed. And I'll assume #1 to be true.
 
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Oy, I think I'm SOL...the MSI 790's manual lists only two monitors supported, via HDMI and DP.

So the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps (Type-C) slot on the back is not for a 3rd monitor as I had assumed.

Can someone recommend a cheap video card with a DVI output that I can get to add this 3rd monitor?

Would something like this MSI Gaming GeForce GT 710 2GB GDRR3 be enough? https://a.co/d/6BW1mvE

Would I be able to continue using the mobo's DP and HDMI outputs for Monitors 1 & 2, and use the card's DVI output for Monitor 3 only? Or would I have to switch all 3 monitors over to the video card's outputs? I do have DVI and VGA cables lying around already. Would going from onboard Intel 770 graphics to this GT710 card be an upgrade, a downgrade, or roughly the same performance?

Again, bear in mind I do zero gaming.
 
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That was the point I was intending to make when I asked if you had a discreet graphics card. Your motherboard will only support a couple of displays, if you want more, you need to have a graphics card with the ability to support them.

If you don't game, aren't doing any kind of video or intensive graphics design, then yes, that GT 710 looks like your best bet to add a single HDMI monitor but keep in mind that newer monitors rarely have VGA or DVI inputs on them anymore so it might be worth at least considering spending a bit more to get something like a GT 1030 that offers at least one HDMI and one Displayport if for no other reason than so you don't have second guess yourself later down the road if you find you actually need a more modern output configuration.

But yes, in conjunction with your motherboard video outputs, that SHOULD resolve your dilemma.
 
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thestryker said:
Another output option might be a USB to HDMI adapter. This might be cheaper, but would likely limit you to only using Windows.
Click to expand...
I only plan to use Windows...Linux is definitely above my pay grade. 🤣

What USB to HDMI adapter are you talking about?
Would it have to be a USB-C 3.2, or can it be a USB 3.0?

I went into the BIOS and enabled Thunderbolt, am wondering if this would allow the USB 3.2 plug on the back panel to transmit video or not, will try out soon...
 
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zenrunner92 said:
I went into the BIOS and enabled Thunderbolt, am wondering if this would allow the USB 3.2 plug on the back panel to transmit video or not, will try out soon...
Click to expand...
There's no native TB on that platform so it won't work. That setting should be for interfacing with an addon TB card.
zenrunner92 said:
What USB to HDMI adapter are you talking about?
Would it have to be a USB-C 3.2, or can it be a USB 3.0?
Click to expand...
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-USB-HDMI-Adapter-External/dp/B00H91BQ7Y/

All of the USB-C to HDMI adapters I've seen require DP alt mode which you don't have available to you. That's not to say there aren't some, just that I haven't seen them.
 
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