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Question

My second monitor screen tears and changes colors

Apr 28, 2017 6:18AM PDT

Hi all,

I work from home and decided to use a smaller tv that we had as a second monitor. When I initially plugged it in, everything worked fine for about 4 hours, then my screen started tearing and changing colors (it seemed to just melt from the top down). I have been trying to figure out what to do and have read a few post about the resolution and refresh rate, but can't seem to find a setting that fixes it. Help!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Monitor
Apr 28, 2017 7:55AM PDT

Try a different monitor.
Try a different cable.
Since the gpu now has to work harder to drive two monitors make sure the innards are clean.
If this is a desktop test with the side panel off.

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Re: Monitor
Apr 28, 2017 10:33AM PDT

What other cable should I use? I'm currently using an HDMI

Also, when I connect the screens, I only use the second monitor, the first is black.

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Cable
Apr 28, 2017 10:51AM PDT

A different hdmi cable.

If your not using the first monitor turn it off.

Work with one monitor only, the problem monitor.

It's just a matter of eliminating stuff to narrow it down.

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Re: Cable
Apr 28, 2017 12:03PM PDT

The first monitor is my laptop, so I can't quite turn it off. I just choose to display using only the larger second monitor. I will try another HDMI cable.

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Answer
A setting that may not help.
Apr 28, 2017 8:17AM PDT

Enable Vsync. Odd thing that helped once.

It's usually some VGA connection so try a digital (HDMI) link then it's settings or hardware. Your gear so only you can know the settings then it's a hardware issue.