Dual Display Doesn't Work--Still

The original thread --http://www.windowsbbs.com/hardware/99096-dual-display-doesnt-work.html was listed as resolved, however working with the issues has solved one problem and uncovered another. Other threads associated with this are:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/99658-explorer-has-encountered-problem-needs-close.html and
http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/98599-windows-explorer-locks-up.html.

The manufacturer of the ATI Radeon HD 5800 video card is Gigabyte. They responded with what they call a BIOS update for the Catalyst. I assume this to be a BIOS associated with the video card and not with the system BIOS. Anyway, after applying the update, the Catalyst worked OK.

The other threads referred to a series of problems, which as things have turned out, probably started happening when the dual monitors were installed. Basically these are occasional system lockup after booting, "Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close" messages, and "WinTV has encountered a problem and needs to close" messages. Also, I learned that when the WinTV was moved to the right side monitor the video would go black, although the audio remained. Really peculiar is when the TV screen is moved to half in one monitor and half in the other, the left side is fine but the right side is black.

I finally discovered that when the dual monitor mode was turned off, all the problems seem to have disappeared. It’s really nice to again have a system which seems to run like clockwork, but having become used to a dual display I can’t go back.

Somewhere I think I read or heard that Windows XP doesn’t like dual displays very well, but I find that hard to believe considering the state of the art. Also, possibly related, are video card drivers. But, again, considering the state of the art it is hard to believe that a relatively high end video card like mine would be issued without compatible dual display drivers.
Other dual display software was suggested, but I haven’t tried them. With something as basic as this going on it is hard to believe that software would bypass the issue.

I have written Gigabyte to learn of any driver updates or of a solution to the problem. In the meantime I am left with a single display.

Your comments and assistance will be appreciated.

 

As mentioned, if you have the Catalyst (ATI) software installed, use that rather than Windows Display settings.

Some programs will only run on the primary monitor. I expect WinTV will only run on the primary monitor.

 

Thanks for the info.