3 monitors? ooooh yeaaa

elf · 07-06-2005, 07:26 AM

Well...the third one isn't working yet

it says "This device cannot start"

I know my power supply can handle it because I ran it for a long time, then formatted and now it dosen't

...

I'm pretty sure it's either an IRQ conflict (I've never seen one of these in my system so I don't think this is the problem, but I'll try alternate pci slots when I go home) or a drivers problem (most likely problem). The second card is the S3 TRIO 64v and XP driver support for that card is seriously lacking, but I think I found one HERE

When I try to boot to PCI video, it just locks the computer up...maybe it is sucking too much power, because it only locks up about the time the second card (my 6600gt) should kick on. Maybe I'll try rigging up a second power supply to my peripherals this afternoon.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions, or ideas?

(I figured it was about time for me to ask a question)

thanks guys,
elf

**UncleMacro** · 07-06-2005, 04:26 PM

What happens when you remove the 6600GT and run with just the S3? Oh... By the way, has anyone ever mentioned that you bear an amazing resemblance to Peyton Manning? I mean... you could be his lost identical twin or something.

elf · 07-06-2005, 04:36 PM

Give me a minute...I'm playing a song and I can't stop it in the middle cause that would ruin it (Eric Clapton - White Room)

Volt-Schwibe · 07-06-2005, 04:42 PM

elf, the s3 series pci vga video cards use all of about 10 watts.

so i kinda don't think it's a power supply problem either.

elf · 07-06-2005, 04:44 PM

I don't think it is either...but it was an option that hasn't been completely ruled out yet.

edit: so apparently it boots right up with just the s3...assuming that rules out a driver problem, it leaves me with either a conflict, or unsuitable PSU.

**UncleMacro** · 07-06-2005, 05:23 PM

After knocking the cobwebs out of some long dormant neurons, I seemed to remember that the "cannot start" message is an incompatiblity with multiple monitors. Multi-monitor video cards have to "get out of each other's way" to work. So I found this:

Quote:

Older video cards on Windows 2000/XP and later: 'Device Cannot Start error 10'
Older S3, ATI and SIS video cards need to be the primary card in BIOS on Windows 2000/XP and later. If you have just one such card, you can get around the problem by setting it as primary in BIOS, then setting your better card as primary in Display Properties.

Changing the BIOS primary card: look for a BIOS setting named 'Initialize First', 'Init Display First' or similar. In the Award BIOS, the setting is 'Init Display First' under 'Integrated Peripherals'. If your BIOS doesn't have such a setting, try to get an update.

When the setting is set to PCI, the first PCI video card found will be used as primary. This is the PCI video card in the lowest-numbered slot, the one nearest to the AGP slot.

So basically, you may be able to run with one old cranky card like the S3 but only if it is the primary video card and the 6600GT is the secondary. And even then, the display driver has to be able to support multiple monitors for the thing to work.

elf · 07-06-2005, 05:40 PM

Yea I have it running on the s3 right now, but as soon as I 'enable' my 6600gt it black screens and won't ever unblack

...Maybe I'll try uninstalling the 6600 and let windows reinstall it for me.

Ok, it's running on the s3 and the 6600gt needs a driver. I don't think the standard driver will work...but I'll try it.

**UncleMacro** · 07-06-2005, 06:10 PM

It's more likely to be the S3 driver which is going to get you into trouble. I've looked around a bit and found people who got S3 trio 64Vs to work in multi-monitor mode with Win98 but it looks like Win2K and WinXP are much more picky. Plus even if it worked it looks like you'd be stuck with the S3 as your primary display.

elf · 07-06-2005, 06:18 PM

yea

maybe its time to fork out some bucks on a new card (old geforce pci card).

I had this up and running a while back which is why it frustrates me so much that it isn't working now. The s3 works fine by itself, or while the 6600gt is disabled...but the second I enable it, it blackscreens

07-06-2005, 07:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,050 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	3 monitors? ooooh yeaaa Well...the third one isn't working yet it says "This device cannot start" I know my power supply can handle it because I ran it for a long time, then formatted and now it dosen't ... I'm pretty sure it's either an IRQ conflict (I've never seen one of these in my system so I don't think this is the problem, but I'll try alternate pci slots when I go home) or a drivers problem (most likely problem). The second card is the S3 TRIO 64v and XP driver support for that card is seriously lacking, but I think I found one HERE When I try to boot to PCI video, it just locks the computer up...maybe it is sucking too much power, because it only locks up about the time the second card (my 6600gt) should kick on. Maybe I'll try rigging up a second power supply to my peripherals this afternoon. Does anyone else have any other suggestions, or ideas? (I figured it was about time for me to ask a question) thanks guys, elf __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

07-06-2005, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,050 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	Give me a minute...I'm playing a song and I can't stop it in the middle cause that would ruin it (Eric Clapton - White Room) __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

07-06-2005, 04:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	elf, the s3 series pci vga video cards use all of about 10 watts. so i kinda don't think it's a power supply problem either. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

07-06-2005, 04:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,050 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	I don't think it is either...but it was an option that hasn't been completely ruled out yet. edit: so apparently it boots right up with just the s3...assuming that rules out a driver problem, it leaves me with either a conflict, or unsuitable PSU. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again. Last edited by elf; 07-06-2005 at 04:55 PM.

07-06-2005, 05:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,050 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	Yea I have it running on the s3 right now, but as soon as I 'enable' my 6600gt it black screens and won't ever unblack ...Maybe I'll try uninstalling the 6600 and let windows reinstall it for me. Ok, it's running on the s3 and the 6600gt needs a driver. I don't think the standard driver will work...but I'll try it. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again. Last edited by elf; 07-06-2005 at 05:47 PM.

07-06-2005, 04:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
UncleMacro TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,133 OS: Vista SP1 My System	What happens when you remove the 6600GT and run with just the S3? Oh... By the way, has anyone ever mentioned that you bear an amazing resemblance to Peyton Manning? I mean... you could be his lost identical twin or something.

07-06-2005, 06:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
UncleMacro TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,133 OS: Vista SP1 My System	It's more likely to be the S3 driver which is going to get you into trouble. I've looked around a bit and found people who got S3 trio 64Vs to work in multi-monitor mode with Win98 but it looks like Win2K and WinXP are much more picky. Plus even if it worked it looks like you'd be stuck with the S3 as your primary display.

07-06-2005, 06:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,050 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	yea maybe its time to fork out some bucks on a new card (old geforce pci card). I had this up and running a while back which is why it frustrates me so much that it isn't working now. The s3 works fine by itself, or while the 6600gt is disabled...but the second I enable it, it blackscreens __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.