Three Monitor Problem

[revron08]

Hi,

I have a MacPro 3,1 and recently added a second ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT card so that I could use three monitors. Everything was working great for a while and then I restarted my computer. Once it came back up, only the two monitors in the slot 1 card are working.

I checked in system information in the graphics/display tab and slot 1 shows the Radeon and slot 2 just shows "Display" and the following:

Display:

Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
Slot: Slot-2
PCIe Lane Width: x16
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x9580
Revision ID: 0x0000
Kernel Extension Info: No Kext Loaded

Try as I might, I haven't been able to figure out why the card suddenly stopped working. I did recently "upgrade" to mavericks, but this was all working fine for a while. Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[MacUser2525]

I would move the card to slot 1 to make sure it has not died off on you.

 

[MacVidCards]

Standard failure mode for 2600XT.

They will sometimes "come back to life" for a little while, but will be in a landfill within 6 months.

 

[revron08]

As it turns out, you guys were right, sadly. I switched the cards so the "bad one" is in slot 1 and the good in slot 2. And the good card still works and the bad one still doesn't.

Can it be as simple as reloading a kext or something easy like that or do you think this card is Dead with a capital D? If Dead, recommendations for a card that drive three monitors on a MacPro 3,1? Cheap helps.

Thanks for any help.

Ron

 

[MacUser2525]

Most likely capital DEAD unfortunately don't if they will work in 3,1 but you should be able to find a couple of gt120 for Mac cheap, guy for that though is MacVid hopefully he replies with some suggestions.

 

[MacVidCards]

A lot depends on what type monitor. Resolution and connection type.

A 5770 will get you 3 displays all by itself. BUT you need 2 @ MDP capable displays or you will need pricey active adaptors for at least 1 of the 3.

We have a Gt640 that runs 3 displays but 2 of them must be digital. And that card needs newer OS while 2600 and GT120 can run much older OSs.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

You could remove the heatsinks/fan and then bake it in the oven for a little bit. Might bring it back to life.

 

[revron08]

MacVidCards, here is some system info. Please let me know what card you think is best and I can pick it up from you this week.

I have three NEC EA241WM 24", all connected through DVI. These are 1920x1200. Recently, I installed Mavericks, but most of the software I use everyday works much better on Lion, so I can boot into either OS from two different SSDs.

OrangeSVTguy, I tried it in the oven for 25 miniutes at 425 degrees, but so far still nothing. On the plus side, it is kinda tasty with some rice and gravy.