Third display is grayed out (Laptop + 2 additional monitors)

[Vincenzonavitch]

Hello!

So I've been using two monitors for video editing for a while now, and finally got rid of an old computer and was able to salvage the monitor from it (happens to be the exact model of the additional monitor I am already using - Dell 1505FP). My computer is an pavilion dv4-1465dx entertainment notebook. I really wanted to make an extended 3 screen display (Dell monitor on left, raised laptop in middle, Dell monitor on the right) but I've read that most consumer level graphics cards cannot handle/fit that additional monitor, but since I couldn't find the specs for mine I assumed that since I have the available ports, I may be able to get it going. Besides the ethernet and card reader, I have:

VGA

That HP port

HDMI
ESATA

2 additional USB ports

My current attemp is using one monitor with a VGA connection, and the other with a DVI to HDMI adapter cable. In the control panel, I can see that the computer recognizes the third display, but the image is grayed out and shows "disconnect this display". When I try to change it, it just reverts back to the same thing and won't let me apply any changes. I can do all kinds of configurations - but cannot get it to accept all 3 as an extended display. 

In the advanced settings (ctrl+alt+F12) it also won't let me to all 3 at once, but one monitor comes up as "Monitor Dell..." while the other comes up as "Digital Display Dell..." Can this have anyting to do with it???

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Is there anything I can do with my current available options or is there something I will need to purchase to get this done?

Thanks!

[banhien · Accepted solution]

Hi,

A high end gaming laptop will support 3 monitors (including the main screen). If you wish to use the following specs for 3 monitors OR for video editing, you bought a wrong machine:

    http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01777304

But you can try:

   http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/

Regards.

[Vincenzonavitch]

Ok great..thanks for your help!