Second monitor flickering on and off in Windows 10

ASkelton · 27 Jan 2017

I had a windows 7 setup that worked fine with a second monitor.

I switched to windows 10 and upgraded from a 64GB SSD to a 256GB SSD.

My second monitor flickers off and stays off for a random amount of time.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Catalyst Control, graphics drivers and monitor drivers.

I have switched out to a different second monitor which is a different model and have the same issue.

I have changed the cable just in case and swapped the graphic card output ports with no effect.

I have now noticed that the monitor goes off whenever I do anything that causes hard drive activity. For example the second monitor will be fine for 5 minutes, and the moment I go to the start menu, start a program, open a folder or anything like that (I can hear the ssd working) the monitor goes off and comes on again a few seconds later. Very strange.

Because of the above I'm thinking it must be a software issue, possibly display adaptor issue. but not sure where to go from here. Display adaptor is a Radeon HD5700.

Any advice would be appreciated,

Alex.

Caledon Ken · 28 Jan 2017

I'm sure you are aware that AMD has categorized your adapter as legacy and will not be providing updated drivers. That said you may wish to see what version is available. If a large delta you may wish to upgrade. Create a restore point.

I would also look into Macrium Reflect fore system images.

When I first read your post I was wondering about power supply. Yes I know it likely worked in Win 7 but everything gets older. You can likely find a power calculator online. I would also check that all connections are secured, you were in device. I would power down and reseat connectors and graphic adapter.

One other poster had flickering with two that stopped when he went to three monitors. Unusually but it worked for him.

The next thing I would check is my drivers. There is a tutorial on Driver Verify. Read the warnings please.

Driver Verifier - Enable and Disable in Windows 10

If this drives out a BSOD then follow the directions in the that section of the forum.

ASkelton · 28 Jan 2017

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I did wonder about power. It is only a 400W supply, I may have replaced it at one point and just got away with what I had lying around. That said I don't really see why windows 10 should need more power but I'm no expert. I can easily go back to W7 just by plugging in my old SSD and immediately have no issues.

Actually I think that is the answer. I think the hardware may just be too old for Windows 10 to function perfectly and it will be fine on Windows 7 until I'm done with it. I run Win10 on other systems with no problems but really there is nothing in Windows 10 I can't do without for now.

I have used AOMEI back-upper (free) for a few years and like it.

Thanks again.