Second Monitor on nVidia card will not hold set refresh rate - defaults to 60 Hz

I run a twin monitor setup (both CRT's), but use the second monitor infrequently - basically only when editing in Photoshop. Thus I switch the second monitor on/off as required to save power.

I recently updated my Matrox G550 32 Mb dual head card to a Gigabyte nVidia GeForce 6600 256 Mb card in readiness for Vista and ever since have had problems with either XP or the nVidia software retaining the refresh rate set on the second monitor if that monitor is not powered up when the system boots, but is switched on later. This problem did not occur with the Matrox card.

Typical scenario ....

Computer booted up with main monitor switched on. Power up secondary monitor and it comes on with a refresh rate of 60 Hz and is identified as a default monitor in Device Manager and in Display Properties. Clicking on the Advanced button for this monitor results in a sound like a USB device being recognised and clicking on the Monitor button shows the monitor identified (correctly) as a CTX 700 series with the refresh rate set at 60 Hz. I can then set the refresh to 85 Hz.

At the sme time the monitor is identified in Device Manager as a CTX 700 series. There are also two other default monitors shown which I understand relate to other functions on the card like TV out.

This setting is retained for as long as the computer is booted up - switching the secondary monitor on/off/on does not lose this setting and if the monitor is powered up on boot the setting is retained.

If the monitor is not powered up at boot time, but is switched on later the refresh rate is back to 60 Hz and the monitor i/d lost.

It's irritating, but not life threatening I have tried various flavours of tne nVidia drivers without any success.

I emphasize that this behaviour did not occur with the Matrox card which happily retained the monitor i/d and the set refresh rate.

Any ideas, guys?

 

Well, Gary , all I can say is that the Matrox card 'held' the refresh rates of both monitors under all circumstances - maybe a bit of Matrox magic

Flat panels - yep - when these 2 die and the main 22" is showing (encouraging) signs of that already Snag is - for serious Photoshop work I'm looking at $1200 (£600+) worth of flat panel

 

Hi Matt

The nVidia software is not exactly user friendly when I set up the dual screen view so I am very reluctant to tinker with that now that I have it right in that area. My second monitor is on the left and it is very difficult to configure such that the mouse cursor runs across the 'join' in the two screens rather than running out of the RHS side of the main monitor and back in on the LHS of the second monitor.

I am sure I have set refresh rates in the software as well, but will revisit that area to check.

 

Problem solved - there is a software setting by calling up the nVidia display properties via a right click on the Desktop > NVIDIA Display which lists the two monitors rather than via the nVidia applet in Control Panel. I had not realised that clicking on the monitor in question opened up a nVidia properties dialogue - just thought it was informative

So I was not befuddled over the fact that the Matrox card held the refresh rate - regardless of whether or not the monitor was powered up at boot

Matt - a touch of genius for which I thank you