2nd monitor affecting performance?

[dubaifox]

My ROCK stable Pro Tools system of 2 years has suddenly been suffering from "Unexpected Quits"

I recently added a Sony 17" LCD monitor to my Apple 19" LCD.

Could this cause performance issues, like unexpected quits? Do I need another video card to properly run with a 2nd monitor? Is there a possible incompatibility? They are both set to "Thousands of Colors"

[DigiTechSupt]

Assuming you're usinga 'dual head' AGP graphics card, this configuration should not cause a problem.

Have you tried the steps in the 'General Troubleshooting' sticky at the top of this forum? Most likely it's just a corrupt preference or database file - trashing them will 'reset' everything.

Did anything else change on your system between when it was working and when you started getting 'unexpectedly quit' error messages? Did you install any new software or hardware, other than the monitor?

[dubaifox]

Assuming you're usinga 'dual head' AGP graphics card, this configuration should not cause a problem.

I have an ATI Radeon 9000 Pro Graphics Card. Is this "dual head".

Have done all of the "Troubleshooting" suggestions but still get occassion crashes that seem to be monitor related. Do they need to be set to the same resolution?

[dubaifox]

So the crashes seem to happen when the two monitors have gone to sleep. (no screen saver, they just turn black)

When I wake them up, the two monitors flick on and then off. Not at the same time, it seems like there is a delay between the two, but during this process PT will often "Unexpectedly Quit"

It works fine when only the 19" Apple is plugged in.

Both are set to "Thousands" of colors but are at different resolutions.

Any advice folks?

[albee1952]

can you disable sleep mode?

[dubaifox]

I think I can, but my computer stays on throughout the day. It is better for them that they go to sleep. I'd like to find the problem if there is one.

Thanks Though

[maccool]

Not sure how or why it might affect PT, but it couldn't hurt to make sure that your Radeon 9000 card has the latest firmware. You can find the update here. Follow the links "Mac OS Drivers and Software" > "ROM Updates" > "October 2004 ATI RADEON Universal ROM Update for ATI Retail Mac Cards"

The Release Note for the 9000 mentions "Fixed possible blank screen on boot, or wake from sleep", although how that might induce PT to throw a wobbly I've no idea. By "sleep" I imagine the note means the computer, not the screen, but it's worth a shot.

Two screens at different resolution shouldn't present a problem in itself, it never has for me. As for sleeping the displays, I don't, I just turn them off.

[dubaifox]

Not sure how or why it might affect PT, but it couldn't hurt to make sure that your Radeon 9000 card has the latest firmware. You can find the update

Thanks for the Tip!

I will give it a try and see if it helps.