Question:

What could cause one of the monitors to go black randomly for a specific user in a dual-monitor setup with an HP Elitedesk PC and an nvidia quadro 400 graphics card?

I have a dual-monitor setup with an HP Elitedesk PC and an nvidia quadro 400 graphics card. The monitors are two 27in Samsung models connected with DP cables to mini DP adapters that plug into the nvidia quadro mini DP ports. One of the monitors goes black randomly for a specific user, and the only way to fix it is to unplug and replug the DP cable from the monitor. This issue started about a month ago, and I have tried the following troubleshooting steps:

• Updating the drivers
• Running hardware checks
• Replacing the DP cables and the adapters
• Turning off Freesync on both the monitors

The

issue seemed to stop after turning off Freesync, but it reappeared today for the same user. The user is frustrated by this problem and wants a permanent solution. The strange thing is that this issue does not happen for any other user who uses the same PC and the same programs (including Exacqvision camera system with 6 camera feeds). I am planning to back up the user’s files and delete her account and files from the PC, and also blow any dust out. Is there anything else it could be? Could it be related to the power supply or the video card? Why would it only affect one user and not the others?

Answer:

Dual-monitor setups are becoming more common in workplaces, as they offer more screen space and productivity benefits. However, they can also pose some technical challenges, such as compatibility issues, display settings, and cable connections. One such problem is when one of the monitors goes black randomly for a specific user, and the only way to fix it is to unplug and replug the DP cable from the monitor. This can be very frustrating and disruptive for the user, especially if it happens frequently and unexpectedly. What could be the cause of this problem, and how can it be solved?

In this article, we will explore some possible causes and solutions for this problem, based on a real case scenario. The scenario involves an HP Elitedesk PC with an nvidia quadro 400 graphics card, and two 27in Samsung monitors connected with DP cables to mini DP adapters that plug into the nvidia quadro mini DP ports. The problem started about a month ago, and the following troubleshooting steps have been tried:

• Updating the drivers
• Running hardware checks
• Replacing the DP cables and the adapters
• Turning off Freesync on both the monitors

The problem seemed to stop after turning off Freesync, but it reappeared today for the same user. The strange thing is that this problem does not happen for any other user who uses the same PC and the same programs (including Exacqvision camera system with 6 camera feeds). The user is planning to back up their files and delete their account and files from the PC, and also blow any dust out. Is there anything else it could be? Could it be related to the power supply or the video card? Why would it only affect one user and not the others?

Possible causes

There are many possible causes for this problem, ranging from hardware to software to user-specific factors. Some of the most common ones are:

• Faulty or loose cable connections: This is one of the simplest and most common causes of monitor problems. If the DP cable or the adapter is faulty or loose, it can cause intermittent signal loss or interference, resulting in a black screen. This can be checked by swapping the cables or the adapters with another monitor or device, or by using a different port on the PC or the monitor.
• Incompatible or outdated drivers: Drivers are software programs that enable the PC and the graphics card to communicate with the monitor. If the drivers are incompatible or outdated, they can cause conflicts or errors, resulting in a black screen. This can be checked by updating the drivers to the latest version, or by rolling back to a previous version that worked well.
• Incorrect display settings: Display settings are the options that control the resolution, refresh rate, color depth, and orientation of the monitor. If the display settings are incorrect, they can cause the monitor to display a black screen or a distorted image. This can be checked by adjusting the display settings to match the monitor’s specifications, or by using the auto-adjust feature on the monitor.
• Freesync or G-sync issues: Freesync and G-sync are technologies that synchronize the refresh rate of the monitor with the frame rate of the graphics card, to reduce screen tearing and stuttering. However, they can also cause compatibility issues or performance problems, resulting in a black screen. This can be checked by turning off Freesync or G-sync on the monitor or the graphics card, or by using a different cable type (such as HDMI or DVI) that does not support these technologies.
• Power supply or video card issues: Power supply and video card are the components that provide power and graphics output to the monitor. If the power supply or the video card is faulty or insufficient, it can cause the monitor to go black or flicker. This can be checked by testing the power supply or the video card with another PC or monitor, or by using a different power outlet or surge protector.
• User-specific factors: User-specific factors are the variables that depend on the user’s preferences, habits, or actions. For example, the user may have changed some settings, installed some software, or downloaded some files that may have caused the monitor problem. This can be checked by logging in as a different user, or by creating a new user account, and seeing if the problem persists.

Possible solutions

Depending on the cause of the problem, there are different solutions that can be tried to fix it. Some of the most common ones are:

• Check and secure the cable connections: This is the simplest and easiest solution to try. Make sure that the DP cable and the adapter are firmly connected to the PC and the monitor, and that there are no bends, cuts, or damages on the cable or the adapter. If possible, use a different cable or adapter, or a different port on the PC or the monitor, and see if the problem is resolved.
• Update or roll back the drivers: This is another simple and effective solution to try. Go to the device manager on the PC, and locate the graphics card and the monitor. Right-click on them, and select update driver or roll back driver, depending on the situation. Follow the instructions on the screen, and restart the PC if prompted. See if the problem is resolved.
• Adjust the display settings: This is another easy solution to try. Go to the display settings on the PC, and make sure that the resolution, refresh rate, color depth, and orientation of the monitor are correct and compatible. If not, change them to the appropriate values, and apply the changes. Alternatively, use the auto-adjust feature on the monitor, and see if the problem is resolved.
• Turn off Freesync or G-sync: This is a solution that may work for some cases. Go to the monitor’s menu, and look for the option to turn off Freesync or G-sync. Alternatively, go to the graphics card’s control panel, and look for the option to disable Freesync or G-sync. Turn off the option, and see if the problem is resolved. If not, try using a different cable type (such as HDMI or DVI) that does not support these technologies, and see if the problem is resolved.
• Test the power supply or the video card: This is a solution that may require some technical skills or assistance. If you suspect that the power supply or the video card is faulty or insufficient, you can test them with another PC or monitor, or use a different power outlet or surge protector. If the problem is resolved, then you may need to replace the power supply or the video card. If the problem persists, then the cause may be something else.
• Log in as a different user or create a new user account: This is a solution that may work for some user-specific factors. If you think that the problem is related to the user’s settings, software, or files, you can log in as a different user, or create a new user account, and see if the problem persists. If the problem is resolved, then you may need to reset the user’s settings, uninstall the software, or delete the files that may have caused the problem. If the problem persists, then the cause may be something else.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many possible causes and solutions for the problem of one of the monitors going black randomly for a specific user in a dual-monitor setup with an HP Elitedesk PC and an nvidia quadro 400 graphics card. The problem can be very frustrating and disruptive for the user, but it can also be solved by following some simple and effective troubleshooting steps. The best way to find the cause and the solution is to try different methods and see what works and what does not. Hopefully, this article has provided some useful information and guidance for anyone who faces this problem or a similar one.