Your computer can't use another display.
bollo1
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Hello,
After an "update" at a computer repair shop, I can no longer connect my second monitor to expand my desktop... which was the case before. Indeed, when I try to "project", I get the message above: your computer cannot use another screen...
How can I restore the original functionality of my computer?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards.
Configuration: Windows / Firefox 100.0
After an "update" at a computer repair shop, I can no longer connect my second monitor to expand my desktop... which was the case before. Indeed, when I try to "project", I get the message above: your computer cannot use another screen...
How can I restore the original functionality of my computer?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards.
Configuration: Windows / Firefox 100.0
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Hello,
Aside from possibly a faulty cable or port, the issue is due to a driver that may have disappeared during the operation even though the secondary screen is not automatically recognized as generic.
That's the crux of the matter (poorly translated from English, but oh well...)
https://websetnet.net/fr/fix-your-pc-cant-project-to-another-screen/
A more insidious and undocumented cause is that one of the multiple graphics services—there’s quite a collection just for Intel chipsets—might have been deactivated: check in services.msc.
Aside from possibly a faulty cable or port, the issue is due to a driver that may have disappeared during the operation even though the secondary screen is not automatically recognized as generic.
That's the crux of the matter (poorly translated from English, but oh well...)
https://websetnet.net/fr/fix-your-pc-cant-project-to-another-screen/
A more insidious and undocumented cause is that one of the multiple graphics services—there’s quite a collection just for Intel chipsets—might have been deactivated: check in services.msc.
Hello Brucine,
Thank you for your reply.
Indeed, you pinpoint the problem. I have an extra monitor at home. I left my house for 10 days with only my laptop, and suddenly, the screen went black. I took the laptop to a repair shop, where they initially thought the screen was dead. But no, just a Windows bug, they told me. They did a major update, but only on the laptop... There were no peripherals connected (printer, second monitor, I also have a Ube connected via USB...
Do you think I can do something to get my laptop back to its previous state?
Thank you for your reply.
Indeed, you pinpoint the problem. I have an extra monitor at home. I left my house for 10 days with only my laptop, and suddenly, the screen went black. I took the laptop to a repair shop, where they initially thought the screen was dead. But no, just a Windows bug, they told me. They did a major update, but only on the laptop... There were no peripherals connected (printer, second monitor, I also have a Ube connected via USB...
Do you think I can do something to get my laptop back to its previous state?
Yes, the screen is functional. I read the website you shared with me in <1>, but I'm not sure I understand everything...
If you could guide me a bit, as much as you can of course, that would help me. Computers and I...
For your information, I even have a small yellow triangle in the device manager under devices > unknown device.
If you could guide me a bit, as much as you can of course, that would help me. Computers and I...
For your information, I even have a small yellow triangle in the device manager under devices > unknown device.
https://www.cjoint.com/c/LErmrUSqlMv
I am attaching a photo of the manager at the address above. (I don’t even have the screenshot on the computer anymore…)
The secondary screen is indeed a monitor that I connected via HDMI, no worries.
I am attaching a photo of the manager at the address above. (I don’t even have the screenshot on the computer anymore…)
The secondary screen is indeed a monitor that I connected via HDMI, no worries.
Since it is under "other devices," we aren’t much further along, and we will need to be clever.
There's a good chance that this dual screen issue is related to the missing driver, but we are still at the mercy of a coincidence: aside from that, have you tested all your peripherals, and do they work?
-Is Windows up to date (I assume it is Windows 10?); Settings-About (at the bottom)-Specifications.
What does the version say? If it's Windows 10 and not 21H2, perform an update; Settings-Update: if the system says "not up to date," we will do "check for updates" (preferably in the evening before going to bed, with the laptop plugged into the power).
-If in Device Manager I expand the Monitors category, how many are there, 1 or 2?
-Still in Device Manager, we will right-click on the malfunctioning device, Properties, Details.
At the top, the default property is Device description; we will scroll down with the small arrow to look for different criteria that can help identify it: name, type, brand...?
If nothing comes up, copy the value of Hardware ID, which will help identify it on the Internet (something like PCI\VEN followed by a string of characters).
If there is a file in the File Name Inf category (I doubt it), even better, let me know.
-If the PC has had the same OS since we bought it and without having done any updates (for example, from Windows 8 to Windows 10), do we have any driver CDs that came with it?
Is there (if so, we especially won't touch it for now) a recovery partition? (if we don’t know, go to the search area of the start menu, type "Management," click on "Computer Management" in the right window, then on Storage-Disk Management)
-If it is still a device installed with the PC, the driver can be found at the manufacturer, go there and specify its operating system:
https://www.asus.com/fr/SupportOnly/X54H/HelpDesk_Download/
I notice that there are drivers only for Windows 7, are you still on Windows 7?
If so, to my recollection, there are no "Settings" (I don’t want to start my virtual machine to verify, and in any case, nothing is relevant: the version will not be 21H2, and Windows Update no longer works for Windows 7, which explains our troubles.
We can download each of these drivers for the appropriate version, 32 or 64 bits, and install them: in the worst case, they will reinstall themselves, but the "clients" that interest us primarily are those that do not appear in Device Manager, particularly Graphics Card and Other?
To check whether it's 32 or 64 bits, type cmd in the search area, choose cmd.exe.
In the window that opens, type the following:
wmic os get osarchitecture
I believe that’s all for now, and it’s already quite a bit: looking forward to your feedback.
There's a good chance that this dual screen issue is related to the missing driver, but we are still at the mercy of a coincidence: aside from that, have you tested all your peripherals, and do they work?
-Is Windows up to date (I assume it is Windows 10?); Settings-About (at the bottom)-Specifications.
What does the version say? If it's Windows 10 and not 21H2, perform an update; Settings-Update: if the system says "not up to date," we will do "check for updates" (preferably in the evening before going to bed, with the laptop plugged into the power).
-If in Device Manager I expand the Monitors category, how many are there, 1 or 2?
-Still in Device Manager, we will right-click on the malfunctioning device, Properties, Details.
At the top, the default property is Device description; we will scroll down with the small arrow to look for different criteria that can help identify it: name, type, brand...?
If nothing comes up, copy the value of Hardware ID, which will help identify it on the Internet (something like PCI\VEN followed by a string of characters).
If there is a file in the File Name Inf category (I doubt it), even better, let me know.
-If the PC has had the same OS since we bought it and without having done any updates (for example, from Windows 8 to Windows 10), do we have any driver CDs that came with it?
Is there (if so, we especially won't touch it for now) a recovery partition? (if we don’t know, go to the search area of the start menu, type "Management," click on "Computer Management" in the right window, then on Storage-Disk Management)
-If it is still a device installed with the PC, the driver can be found at the manufacturer, go there and specify its operating system:
https://www.asus.com/fr/SupportOnly/X54H/HelpDesk_Download/
I notice that there are drivers only for Windows 7, are you still on Windows 7?
If so, to my recollection, there are no "Settings" (I don’t want to start my virtual machine to verify, and in any case, nothing is relevant: the version will not be 21H2, and Windows Update no longer works for Windows 7, which explains our troubles.
We can download each of these drivers for the appropriate version, 32 or 64 bits, and install them: in the worst case, they will reinstall themselves, but the "clients" that interest us primarily are those that do not appear in Device Manager, particularly Graphics Card and Other?
To check whether it's 32 or 64 bits, type cmd in the search area, choose cmd.exe.
In the window that opens, type the following:
wmic os get osarchitecture
I believe that’s all for now, and it’s already quite a bit: looking forward to your feedback.
Thank you very much for your long and detailed response, but it's a bit difficult for me.
I will try to respond...
_The technician told me that he had updated everything.
_When purchased, it was a W7 and at some point, Microsoft recommended upgrading to W10, which was done back then.
_There is only a generic plug and play monitor
-ACPI PC with x64 processor
_In the device manager, there is nothing for PCI/VEN or inf.
_I think there is a recovery partition, although I'm not sure... Originally, there was only one hard drive that was partitioned into C and D.
I think I have answered your expectations?
I will try to respond...
_The technician told me that he had updated everything.
_When purchased, it was a W7 and at some point, Microsoft recommended upgrading to W10, which was done back then.
_There is only a generic plug and play monitor
-ACPI PC with x64 processor
_In the device manager, there is nothing for PCI/VEN or inf.
_I think there is a recovery partition, although I'm not sure... Originally, there was only one hard drive that was partitioned into C and D.
I think I have answered your expectations?
Well, that doesn't help us much except that if both screens are connected (the laptop screen and the external monitor), I should have 2 recognized, including the built-in one as generic.
Monitor drivers are a slippery slope (I've never been able to get my external one recognized by its own driver, which only uses a generic driver).
It's the dual-screen projection that doesn't work, but if the external screen is connected via HDMI, it works, and the built-in one does too if the laptop lid is open?
Just in case, check the name and model of the external monitor to see if there's a specific driver that could resolve this conflict.
Monitor drivers are a slippery slope (I've never been able to get my external one recognized by its own driver, which only uses a generic driver).
It's the dual-screen projection that doesn't work, but if the external screen is connected via HDMI, it works, and the built-in one does too if the laptop lid is open?
Just in case, check the name and model of the external monitor to see if there's a specific driver that could resolve this conflict.
Hello Brucine,
I did a manipulation that might help you pinpoint the problem, I hope...
When I start the computer on its own, everything works normally, the computer screen lights up with the desktop.
I turn off the computer.
I connect the HDMI cable from the monitor to the HDMI port of the computer.
I start the computer, this time it's the monitor's screen that lights up with the desktop icons normally, BUT the computer's screen doesn't light up and remains black...
I don't know if this can help you?
I did a manipulation that might help you pinpoint the problem, I hope...
When I start the computer on its own, everything works normally, the computer screen lights up with the desktop.
I turn off the computer.
I connect the HDMI cable from the monitor to the HDMI port of the computer.
I start the computer, this time it's the monitor's screen that lights up with the desktop icons normally, BUT the computer's screen doesn't light up and remains black...
I don't know if this can help you?
Hello,
So it's confirmed that both monitors work and that it's the graphics card preventing simultaneous display (even in the case of simultaneous display, the external screen is not detected at BIOS launch but only at the login screen).
We're probably back to the "faulty" driver that must necessarily (unless the graphics card driver from Asus designed for Windows 7 works under Windows 10, it doesn't hurt to try) return a hardware identification number as I mentioned, which then allows finding the appropriate driver online.
So it's confirmed that both monitors work and that it's the graphics card preventing simultaneous display (even in the case of simultaneous display, the external screen is not detected at BIOS launch but only at the login screen).
We're probably back to the "faulty" driver that must necessarily (unless the graphics card driver from Asus designed for Windows 7 works under Windows 10, it doesn't hurt to try) return a hardware identification number as I mentioned, which then allows finding the appropriate driver online.
Right now, I don't know what to do or how to do it...
Can you guide me if there's an action to take? (I'm not skilled in this area), I'm afraid of making an irreversible mistake.
Can you guide me if there's an action to take? (I'm not skilled in this area), I'm afraid of making an irreversible mistake.
In my opinion, we must try to resolve this unknown driver issue.
When I go to Control Panel, Devices, Device Manager, what is in the Graphics Cards tab?
Even with a basic PC without a dedicated graphics card, there are most often 2 entries: one for the graphics chipset itself (e.g., Intel Graphics Widget) and one for the software meant to manage it (e.g., Radeon Thingamajig); the absence of the latter can prevent this configuration.
In their absence, one can assume a lack of graphics card driver.
As Windows Update refuses to acknowledge it, we can try the Asus driver, but intended for Windows 7:
There, under Drivers, Windows 7 64-bit, Graphics Card, download and install: in the worst case, we will be rejected because Windows will have detected a newer version.
The other approach is the one I described in <11>: it is essential, in the properties of the unknown device, to have the hardware identification number.
When I go to Control Panel, Devices, Device Manager, what is in the Graphics Cards tab?
Even with a basic PC without a dedicated graphics card, there are most often 2 entries: one for the graphics chipset itself (e.g., Intel Graphics Widget) and one for the software meant to manage it (e.g., Radeon Thingamajig); the absence of the latter can prevent this configuration.
In their absence, one can assume a lack of graphics card driver.
As Windows Update refuses to acknowledge it, we can try the Asus driver, but intended for Windows 7:
There, under Drivers, Windows 7 64-bit, Graphics Card, download and install: in the worst case, we will be rejected because Windows will have detected a newer version.
The other approach is the one I described in <11>: it is essential, in the properties of the unknown device, to have the hardware identification number.
Are you talking about the services?
Check if any of the services starting with Intel are marked as disabled; if so, set it to automatic through properties (but well, you never know, in my opinion that's probably not the issue).
Another silly check of the graphics software I hadn't thought of, is there anything in the list of programs that relates to graphics, like Radeon or ATI, what happens if we click on it?
Is there anything in Control Panel - Programs - Programs and Features that is similar, for example Intel Graphics Driver?
Check if any of the services starting with Intel are marked as disabled; if so, set it to automatic through properties (but well, you never know, in my opinion that's probably not the issue).
Another silly check of the graphics software I hadn't thought of, is there anything in the list of programs that relates to graphics, like Radeon or ATI, what happens if we click on it?
Is there anything in Control Panel - Programs - Programs and Features that is similar, for example Intel Graphics Driver?
Okay, it’s done.
I downloaded it, copied the zip file to a folder on the desktop, then clicked on setup.exe, extracted everything, turned off the computer and restarted, and apparently it’s the same.
But I’m not sure if I did it right. In the folder when I try to click on setup.exe, a window opens: Microsoft Store, which I can't remove and I didn't have before...
I don’t know how to get out of this... Before, I used 7zip to unzip and it worked very well.
I downloaded it, copied the zip file to a folder on the desktop, then clicked on setup.exe, extracted everything, turned off the computer and restarted, and apparently it’s the same.
But I’m not sure if I did it right. In the folder when I try to click on setup.exe, a window opens: Microsoft Store, which I can't remove and I didn't have before...
I don’t know how to get out of this... Before, I used 7zip to unzip and it worked very well.
Settings-Applications-Choose the source: Anywhere.
The zip file must be extracted THEN the setup launched.
Windows 10 natively extracts, but if you want to use 7Zip, it's up to you (the only advantage is for other extensions like rar, arj, tar...).
I have to leave here in half an hour, I will be back in the late afternoon.
The zip file must be extracted THEN the setup launched.
Windows 10 natively extracts, but if you want to use 7Zip, it's up to you (the only advantage is for other extensions like rar, arj, tar...).
I have to leave here in half an hour, I will be back in the late afternoon.
No worries, we'll meet again in the late afternoon, but I also don't want to take up too much of your time for my problem, you've helped me a lot, it's very kind of you. For now, we're going to eat...
See you later, thanks again.
See you later, thanks again.
Hello,
I just made a little discovery. When I turn on the computer and plug in the HDMI cable for the monitor at the same time, both screens (the PC and the monitor) light up with the desktop on them. (dual screens, but still unable to "project" and the same message: "your PC can't use another screen" ...
I just made a little discovery. When I turn on the computer and plug in the HDMI cable for the monitor at the same time, both screens (the PC and the monitor) light up with the desktop on them. (dual screens, but still unable to "project" and the same message: "your PC can't use another screen" ...
Hello,
The Asus driver, hasn’t it changed at all?
At this point, I’m at the end of my inspiration, and it’s almost certainly a driver issue.
You mentioned that the PC was on Windows 10 before the repair, was it updated? If it wasn’t and the repair technician updated it to the latest version (21H2, check as I indicated in <11>), it’s possible that the old driver was managed by the old version but not by the new one.
Or, worse, he might have upgraded to Windows 11, but I suppose you would have noticed that.
He also couldn’t have reset the PC, as you would have lost your data, but if he thought an old driver was causing the bug, he might have removed it.
We can only speculate; it would be a good idea to give him a quick call to ask him to clarify what he did.
And it might then be worth considering downgrading the version.
Another approach that hasn’t been considered: turn off or disconnect all non-essential peripherals (printers and scanners, external webcams, anything connected via USB and/or HDMI):
remove the faulty device driver; if we find it, disable (via its properties) and still in the device manager, disable the graphics card driver, wait 1 or 2 minutes, and then reactivate.
Restart, see if Windows prompts for an unknown device again and/or requests its driver.
The Asus driver, hasn’t it changed at all?
At this point, I’m at the end of my inspiration, and it’s almost certainly a driver issue.
You mentioned that the PC was on Windows 10 before the repair, was it updated? If it wasn’t and the repair technician updated it to the latest version (21H2, check as I indicated in <11>), it’s possible that the old driver was managed by the old version but not by the new one.
Or, worse, he might have upgraded to Windows 11, but I suppose you would have noticed that.
He also couldn’t have reset the PC, as you would have lost your data, but if he thought an old driver was causing the bug, he might have removed it.
We can only speculate; it would be a good idea to give him a quick call to ask him to clarify what he did.
And it might then be worth considering downgrading the version.
Another approach that hasn’t been considered: turn off or disconnect all non-essential peripherals (printers and scanners, external webcams, anything connected via USB and/or HDMI):
remove the faulty device driver; if we find it, disable (via its properties) and still in the device manager, disable the graphics card driver, wait 1 or 2 minutes, and then reactivate.
Restart, see if Windows prompts for an unknown device again and/or requests its driver.
Hello Brucine, and thank you for your response.
Contacting the repairman, impossible by phone, was during my last trip. He simply told me that he had updated everything and I paid €150... Apart from the monitor that is not recognized, I have 1 or 2 other programs that are not working anymore, but that's not a big deal.
I will do what you told me shortly: unplug everything and plug it back in to see. I will let you know the result.
Contacting the repairman, impossible by phone, was during my last trip. He simply told me that he had updated everything and I paid €150... Apart from the monitor that is not recognized, I have 1 or 2 other programs that are not working anymore, but that's not a big deal.
I will do what you told me shortly: unplug everything and plug it back in to see. I will let you know the result.
- The current update version is 21H2.
PC updates are done automatically.
I don't understand what you mean in your last sentence regarding the Asus driver.
I followed the steps you indicated.
With all the plugs unplugged, I turned on the computer. In the device manager, I disabled and uninstalled the line "other devices > unknown device ".
This line has therefore disappeared. I turned off the computer and then turned it back on, and in the device manager, the lines other devices > unknown device were present again.
I reconnected all the plugs, and nothing changed.
I might need to try to permanently delete these unknown device lines, but I'm not sure if that's possible.
Originally, when I connected the extra monitor to the computer for the first time, it was automatically detected by the computer, without any request for a driver or anything else...
PC updates are done automatically.
I don't understand what you mean in your last sentence regarding the Asus driver.
I followed the steps you indicated.
With all the plugs unplugged, I turned on the computer. In the device manager, I disabled and uninstalled the line "other devices > unknown device ".
This line has therefore disappeared. I turned off the computer and then turned it back on, and in the device manager, the lines other devices > unknown device were present again.
I reconnected all the plugs, and nothing changed.
I might need to try to permanently delete these unknown device lines, but I'm not sure if that's possible.
Originally, when I connected the extra monitor to the computer for the first time, it was automatically detected by the computer, without any request for a driver or anything else...
The Asus driver is the graphics card driver I suggested you download from the Asus website and then install.
If the offending device comes back after we have kept all peripherals unplugged, it is indeed "internal," and therefore most likely the graphics card, which we cannot remove, only update.
It is likely that the installed driver is no longer compatible with the latest version of Windows (and perhaps that was causing the infamous black screens), but if the one from Asus does not work, I fear you will have to live with it (unless of course you reformat to install an older version of Windows 10 or Windows 7, but that's not so simple and using a hammer to swat a fly).
If the offending device comes back after we have kept all peripherals unplugged, it is indeed "internal," and therefore most likely the graphics card, which we cannot remove, only update.
It is likely that the installed driver is no longer compatible with the latest version of Windows (and perhaps that was causing the infamous black screens), but if the one from Asus does not work, I fear you will have to live with it (unless of course you reformat to install an older version of Windows 10 or Windows 7, but that's not so simple and using a hammer to swat a fly).
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