Widescreen Gaming Forum

Hey, I'm new here so hopefully this is going under the right forum.
I'm trying to set up my first Triple-monitor system, but I've run into a few snags with getting everything set up right.

I am running an Alienware Aurora R3 computer, with two linked Radeon 6900 series cards.
I am (trying) to run two DELL ST2220L 21.5-inch Wide Flat Panel Monitors, and one Dell ST2220T 21.5-inch Multi-Touch Full HD Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor.

The first graphics card is running:
-Dell ST2220L on VGA -> DVI adapter cable
-Dell ST2220T on DVI
The second card is running:
-Dell ST2220L on VGA -> DVI adapter plug

Currently Crossfire X is disabled, to permit the 2nd graphics card to run normal. So I tried moving the 3rd monitor onto an HDMI cable on card one, it worked, but only by still leaving Crossfire disabled. I researched, and I know I need to get a MultiPort->DVI cable to run it properly on the 1st card.
Which leads me into the questions:

PROBLEM 1:
I replaced a 19" monitor with a second Dell ST2220L, for some reason the computer does not recognize it the same as the other one. It says this monitor is a non-PnP monitor, but it worked fine with the other two. How do I make the resolutions climb?
Also the screen refresh rate is pegged at 30Hz, down from a normal 60Hz, and I can't figure out why. Hopefully fixing res. will correct this?

PROBLEM 2:
After running the monitors, 1 on VGA->DVI adapter, one DVI native, the other DVI -> MultiPort, will I be able to create a full spread on EyeFinity? I have the two monitors on Card 1 currently running, but 3 is just kind of useless off to one side.

PROBLEM 3:
Once the monitors are all running on one card with the adapters listed in Problem 2, will I be able to (and if so, should I) activate Crossfire X again to make use of that second card?

Thanks!

PS: I also have a Matrox DualHead on hand if that would make the process any easier in any way.

Problem1: i assume you got a passive VGA-> DVI Adapter and plugged in the DVI-I (DVI-I can send Analog or Digital) connection on the GPU, this might result in the GPU sending an Analog Signal! still should have PnP support though...

You might try to plug it into the other DVI Port on the GPU and check out what happens. So if you cant set the Monitors Full resolution / Hz then maybe EDID profile wasn't sent correct. Do you have a CD with Monitor Drivers ? or check out producers Homepage.

Problem 2: (first, its called Displayport(is it a HD7970 or 7950? well if its reference design then it has two mini DisplayPort connections)) Yes it is possible to create a Eyefinity Desktop if you have connected all Monitors to the same GPU and if all Monitors have the same resolution But be warned! you CAN'T use 2x DVI + HDMI. With Displayport it's no problem. IF extended mode works then Eyefinity also should.

Problem 3: Yes. Crossfire works fine.

_________________
We gonna send it to outa space!

Haldi, thanks!

I ran into another snag though for some reason, I bought a DisplayPort to DVI adapter, and ran it up to my third monitor, and now the computer refuses to recognize the third monitor.
My connections looked like this

Left Screen: Monitor - VGA/DVI Adapter Cable - Computer
Center Screen: Monitor - DVI Cable - Computer
Right Screen: Monitor - DVI/DisplayPort Adapter Cable - Computer

I can get any two monitors working together, but now the third, instead of being just a random offshoot that I can't extend to, refuses to display anything at all. I tried to address it through Catalyst, which shows all 3 monitors, but only will identify two at a time. I also tried the Control Panel display update, I can alter resolutions and combine screens on it, but it will not let me save any changes if I try and activate the third monitor.

UPDATE: I changed the wiring configuration to this:
Left Screen: Monitor - HDMI/DisplayPort Adapter - Computer
Center Screen: Monitor - DVI-D - Computer
Right Screen: Monitor - DVI-D - Computer

Still says I cannot get put all 3 computers into EXTENDED mode. Lets me put any two I want into it, but when I try and make the third one active, it says "Cannot Apply Changes" in the Control Panel for Displays, and Catalyst still only offers me a 2x1 Eyefinity display.
I checked on the graphics card, I am running a 6900 series, I believe it them to be 6970s. They have 2x DVI Ports, 1x HDMI, 2x Mini-DisplayPorts.
I am running Catalyst Control Center version 2012.0806.1213.19931 shows it last checked for updates today.

that means you have a passive DP->HDMI Adapter. You'd need an active Adapter!

_________________
We gonna send it to outa space!

Awesome thanks, that worked. The adapter I had was incorrectly identified as Active online, I should've checked the customer reviews which pointed out it wasn't. I have it returned and a proper adapter on the way. Hopefully Tuesday evening I'll be up & running.
Thanks again for all the help!

EDIT: Got it working. Thanks again Haldi for all the help!