Wrong display on startup

ritagoldberg · 13 Nov 2016

I use two monitors, but the wrong one has the display when I start the computer. Monitor 1 is at the left and monitor 2 at the right, in front of me. Although monitor 2 is designated as the main display, when the computer starts up, a display appears only on monitor 1, and monitor 2 remains dark. I then restart the computer using the options on the lock screen on monitor 1. Now monitor 2 works and is the main screen, just as I wish. Monitor 1 also shows but without being the main screen.

Why is this happening? How can I fix this so that monitor 2 has a display on startup?

Berton · 13 Nov 2016

I really hate to ask but is it the same situation if you swap the monitor data cables with each other? Could be the wrong port is being initialized first or maybe there is a priority setting of the video ports in the BIOS.

ritagoldberg · 14 Nov 2016

I've had this problem for a long time and think I tried your suggestion several weeks ago-- but I'll try it again. Thanks.

alphanumeric · 16 Nov 2016

It sounds like that monitor isn't being detected on boot up so it defaults to the only one its seeing? Have you tried swapping the positions of the two monitors, at least just as a test?

ritagoldberg · 19 Nov 2016

Yes, when I first boot up only monitor 1 (at the left) is detected). When I restart the computer both monitors are detected. Unfortunately, I can't change the position--I assume you mean of the cables--because they are different. Monitor 1 uses Dvid and monitor 2 is mDP. Should I get a Dvid to HDmi cable for monitor 1 and use that instead or perhaps devise some other connection for Monitor 2? I did some cable switching a few weeks ago, but that didn't help.

alphanumeric · 19 Nov 2016

Yes I mean the cables. If it was an easy swap it you could test to see if the issue follows the monitor. I was hoping you won't have to buy another cable or adapter. I'll leave the extra expense up to you to decide to do it or not? Doing the monitor swap may or may not prove anything so judge acordingly.

ritagoldberg · 22 Nov 2016

I bought a new cable that connects the DVI-d port on the monitor to an HDMI port on the computer. It works! Now both monitors function correctly and monitor 1 is the main monitor and monitor 2 is the secondary monitor. They had been reversed. Is the old cable defective? Is the DVI-d port on the computer defective? Is there indeed a priority order of video ports in the BIOS? Who knows? Everything now works as it should, and I'm happy. Many thanks to both of you for your help.

CountMike · 23 Nov 2016

ritagoldberg said:

I bought a new cable that connects the DVI-d port on the monitor to an HDMI port on the computer. It works! Now both monitors function correctly and monitor 1 is the main monitor and monitor 2 is the secondary monitor. They had been reversed. Is the old cable defective? Is the DVI-d port on the computer defective? Is there indeed a priority order of video ports in the BIOS? Who knows? Everything now works as it should, and I'm happy. Many thanks to both of you for your help.

Graphic cards have order in which they activate monitors. Usually Didplay port, HDMI, DVI, in that order. In windows you can change order but not during BIOS P.O.S.T. faze. That's hard written into it's BIOS.

alphanumeric · 23 Nov 2016

My BIOS post screen shows on my monitor connected to DVI. My HDMI monitor is set to be my main monitor. The POST and Windows LOGO show on my no 2 monitor then everything moves over to my main monitor when the Lock screen comes up. Then once the Windows desktop loads all 3 monitors light up. My Video cards BIOS decides which monitor gets the BIOS POST screen. Any 1 monitor plugged into any 1 port and its all on that one monitor. As soon as I add a second monitor things can get shuffled around. The BIOS POST screen will move from one monitor to another when I add a monitor without me changing any settings. It had me scratching my head at first until I realized the Video card was doing it and It wasn't something I could change.

CountMike · 23 Nov 2016

alphanumeric said:

My BIOS post screen shows on my monitor connected to DVI. My HDMI monitor is set to be my main monitor. The POST and Windows LOGO show on my no 2 monitor then everything moves over to my main monitor when the Lock screen comes up. Then once the Windows desktop loads all 3 monitors light up. My Video cards BIOS decides which monitor gets the BIOS POST screen. Any 1 monitor plugged into any 1 port and its all on that one monitor. As soon as I add a second monitor things can get shuffled around. The BIOS POST screen will move from one monitor to another when I add a monitor without me changing any settings. It had me scratching my head at first until I realized the Video card was doing it and It wasn't something I could change.

I have 3 monitors to one GPU. BIOS shows on HDMI (#1) and one of DVI (#2) connectors. Once windows start BOOTing and drivers kick in it gets shuffled, only monitor that doesn't show in BIOS becomes Main desktop. On second Windows (W7) in dual BOOT #2 and #3 are reversed by default so I have to switch it in the driver.