Problems After Installing Secondary Video Adapter (199948)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q199948

SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer after installing a secondary video adapter for use with multiple monitors, you may receive error messages and you may be prompted to go into the CMOS settings. If you attempt to go into the CMOS settings, your screen may become blank.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if your secondary video adapter uses an S3 chip set.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, set the S3-based video adapter as the primary video adapter, or use a supported video adapter as the secondary video adapter.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows 2000.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 2000 provides the ability to simultaneously use multiple video adapters with multiple monitors. Video adapters that use an S3 chip set cannot be used as secondary video adapters in a multiple-monitor configuration.

To find out which video adapters can be used as secondary video adapters, please refer to the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) at the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q131/3/03.asp

For more information about using multiple monitors in Windows 2000, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type multiple monitors, click the "Multiple monitors" topic, and then click Display.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/5/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbdisplay kbenv kbHardware KB199948
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.