Trying to hookup 3-4 monitors for multiple work applications.. Noob

[five04ever]

Hey... Sorry for the long write up, I'm trying to hookup 3 monitors (4th will be later) to my pc.  I already have 2 monitors connected to the 8600GTS (DVI & VGA) and they run fine. When I install the 7100 CS, I get a message about the card not beeing installed properly, but it also tells me that I need to reboot for the new card to work. BANG! After reboot I get the flash of the dreaded blue screen and then another auto attemp to reboot to only go to boot option sreen where I chose to reboot in safe mode. I then disable the 7100 CS, and have to use the system restore because if I boot normally it ends up back at the booting option screen. Anyway, I have the pc running back the way it was before attemping to install the 7100 CS.

Just poking around this site I found a couple threads (somewhere out there) that obviously state that you can not run two PCI-e cards for mutiple desktop configurations, but you can run a PCI-e and an AGP seperately.

Is this my case perhapes, or does anyone know some neat tricks to get both PCI-e cards configured for my needs (not looking for SLI confige)?

Any help appreciated.

I have;
ASUS mobo: P5N32-E SLI
EVGA main video card: 8600 GTS PCI-e (installed in the first slot)
EVGA second video card: 7100 CS PCI-e (installed in the second slot)

[soybean]

Just poking around this site I found a couple threads (somewhere out there) that obviously state that you can not run two PCI-e cards for mutiple desktop configurations, ...

I'm not absolutely sure but I believe that's correct.

... but you can run a PCI-e and an AGP seperately.

Well, you don't have an AGP slot.  But, you can run PCI-e and PCI cards together.  I believe that is the solution here. 

[Geek-9pm]

Any help appreciated.

My help is not always welcome. But you did say any help.
First, please read this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296538

Instead of making changes to you system and trying
mix an match hardware, I would recommend the following for a serious application.

Invest in hardware meant to do the job you want.

1.)Replace your present AGP card with a single card with four outputs.
 Google for Multi display AGP
 -- OR --
2.) Add an external device to your present output to drive four CRTs.
Google  "VGA Video Splitters"

You should be able to find something to do the job under $125 if you shop around. Would you go for whatever does the job with the least hassle?
 

[soybean]

"VGA Video Splitters" will merely clone the same display on the monitors connected to it.  I don't believe that's what five04ever wants; he want  3-4 monitors for multiple work applications.

1.)Replace your present AGP card with a single card with four outputs.
 Google for Multi display AGP

He doesn't have an AGP card.  And, he doesn't have an AGP slot.  If he could fine a PCI-e that would support 4 monitors, it will probably cost a lot more than simply adding a PCI card and running it along with his 8600GTS. 

He can run two monitors from his 8600GTS, as he is already doing.  A PCI card that will support two additional monitors will give him the full capability he wants.  He should run the more demanding applications on the PCI-e card since it will be the better performing card, but a PCI card will work fine for many applications.

[soybean]

Here's a inexpensive option: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814145136

[five04ever]

I was confused on the AGP/PCI-e info... My mobo has dual PCI-e x16slots, but again, it doesn't sound like dual PCI-e cards will work together for my needs, so is it safe to say that my current 8600 GTS (PCI-e) and another evga card (PCI) will do the trick... I know you guys understand what I'm trying to do, so Thanks for the fast responses.

I have another card I can use that may solve the problem too! An evga FX 5500 (PCI) card curently running on my backup pc.

What do yous think about that?  Think it will work?

[soybean]

Yes, it should work fine.  I currently run two monitors off an AGP FX 5500.

[five04ever]

ooops! the FX 500 is an AGP card... My bad! Will not work on my mobo.

I guess I'm still at square one... The other slots on my mobo are;

 (2) PCI-e x16 (SLI slots BLUE) first slot carries the 8600 GTS w/2 monitors
 (1) PCI-e x16, at x8 speed (the 7100 CS PCI-e didn't work in this one)
My only other two options are to try one of these
 (1) PCI-e x1
 (2) PCI 2.2

But which card type will work for my needs??? Again, any input appreciated.

[five04ever]

Man I'm getting slow.... The (2) PCI 2.2's are for the sound card that came with the mobo and the other carries my dual serial card that i have connected to my Sony DVD changer.

No choice but try PCI-e x1

Thought's?

[Geek-9pm]

Man I'm getting slow..

Don't be shy. Tell us what mobo you have.

[soybean]

He already told us.  It's http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131073

five04ever, you have two PCI slots.  Are they both occupied?  According to the specs on the newegg.com link I posted, you have onboard sound.  But, you installed a sound card? 

[five04ever]

It's an ASUS P5N32-E SLI... The sound card is seperate called SupremeFX Audio Card.

I am only using one PCI slot.. The top BLUE one as seen on your newegg link.
The first PCI 2.2 slot at the top also seen on the mobo link carries the sound.

The other slots are open.

I seen this PCI card:
PNY VCGFX522PEB GeForce FX 5200 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133233

Still not sure if it will work though!!

[gold]

You can run 4 monitors with your setup, it's a matter of making sure SLi is turned off.

SLi supports only one monitor.  Check your BIOS to be sure your cards aren't running in SLi mode.

[gold]

After re-reading your first post, stop everything.

Confirm in your BIOS that your PCI-e slots are running in standard mode and NOT SLi.

Visit this link: http://www.overclock.net/faqs/12466-info-nvidia-driver-cleaning-guide.html

Follow the instructions carefully and completely remove and reinstall your nVidia drivers.

Try again and post back here.

[Geek-9pm]

The term 'SLI' here refers to a new thing from Nvidia.
http://www.nvidia.com/page/nforce4_sli.html