I have 2 monitors on my hp computer hp 6726. I have my secondary monitor not cominng on. when I turn it on it says source control comes on and then the monitor "goes to sleep." How do I get my monitor to come on to the screen and stay on?

when the computer enter the sleep mode, it is possible that the computer remove the check mark from this output activation.

When you have multiple ouptut like a internal LCD and output on a monitor, when going into sleep then waked up, laptop reactivate the internal LCD without reactivated the secondary monitor.

you could need to go in desktop property and reactivate the secondary monitor with the check mark listed : Activate.

If you only have one monitor but still a dual output card or two separate video card same thing can happend. try to connect the monitor on the second VGA or HDMI output and see if the video goes there.

then reactivate your secondary output and make it principal.

Does also happend when your computer is connected to a UPS power and your monitor is directly on the sector. (laptop issu also)

if a brief power outage arrive then the monitor shut down (no power) and the computer continu, as there is no monitor on the output any more Windows will automatically deactivate this monitor. when power goes back, this output is no longuer providing video. I suggest putting the monitor on a UPS as well.

could be an issue with the graphics controller or with the monitor. first, verify if the monitor is actually working. try it on another computer or video source. if it works, make sure that you have a working video cable and check to make sure the video input source (dvi, vga, rgb, hdmi.. etc) selected on your monitor is the correct one that you are using. if you have ruled out the monitor, video source and cables, you can then test if another monitor will work with the computer. if same thing happens, meaning nothing on display even the manufacturer or BIOS screen does not show up when you turn on the computer, it is most likely the video controller. you may either get the motherboard replaced or install an add-in video card if the integrated video controller only has one video connector.

Kevin,

1) You cannot plug a monitor into the VGA connector, on the back of the desktop computer, AND plug a second monitor into a DVI connector, on the back of a desktop computer.

In otherwords you can only plug ONE monitor into the motherboard.

[ The I/O area on the back of the desktop computer, is the Input/Output area. This rectangular area has connections for Input devices, and Output devices.

Examples such as a Mouse, Keyboard, (INPUT), VGA devices, (VGA monitor - Output), USB devices, audio devices, (Speakers - Output. Microphone is an Input device), and so on.

The I/O area has a rectangular metal shield. (Thin metal plate)

Connecting a device in the I/O area, is connecting it directly to the motherboard.

Example of a VGA connector, and VGA cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

Example of a DVI cable, and DVI connector,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

(There are several variations of DVI connectors.
Scroll down ]

To use dual monitors you need a graphics card also.
Graphics card with a VGA connector, or DVI connector. (Or both)

Monitor with VGA cable, plugs into the I/O area on the back of the desktop computer. (Plugs into the motherboard's graphic chipset)

The second monitor plugs into the graphics card's DVI connector, or VGA connector.

[ Just an example,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1416091&CatId=3669

On the image of the graphics card on the left;
Go under it to the subheading - + 11 larger images and views.

There are 7 views shown. One is the carton the graphics card comes in. (View 2 from the left)

Going from the left side, count over to the 5th view. Left-click on the 5th view. Shows you the 'business end' of the graphics card.

Starting at the left side it is the HDMI connector, then VGA connector, then DVI connector.

Note*
YES, you can plug a VGA monitor, AND a DVI monitor, into this type of graphics card, and have Dual monitors ]

FIRST:
Computer on, Windows running; Put the Installation disk (CD) in the optical drive's tray. (CD/DVD drive)
Load ALL software.
Drivers, and 'Control Panel'.

Graphics card software loaded, close all windows, go back to your desktop screen. Turn the computer off normally.

Unplug the computer from power. Open the computer case.
FOLLOW Anti-Static Precautions.
(Don't know Anti-Static Precautions? Post back in a Comment)

Physically install the graphics card. Close the computer case.
Plug the VGA cable of the Primary monitor, into the VGA connector in the I/O area, on the back of the desktop computer.

Now plug the DVI cable of the Secondary monitor, into the DVI connector on the graphics card.

(The main monitor you use is the Primary monitor. The second monitor you are going to add, is the Secondary monitor )

Plug the computer into power. Both monitors plugged into power, turn them BOTH on.
Turn the computer on.

When Windows loads you will see a display on the Primary monitor.
Your desktop screen.

Now Right-click on an empty area of your desktop screen.
In the list at the bottom, Left-click on - Properties.

In the Display Properties window that comes up, left-click on the -
Settings tab.

You will see two rectangular icons. 1 and 2.
1 is the Primary monitor. 2 is the Secondary monitor.

Left-click on the Secondary monitor icon.
Go down towards the bottom/middle on the left.

Left-click in the empty square to the left of -
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor

Go down to the bottom Right. Left-click on Apply.
Go down to the bottom Left. Left-click on OK.

Your desktop screen will now be on the secondary monitor.


When you open your internet browser, (Yahoo, or Google, or MSN, or Mozilla Firefox, etc), you have to DRAG the screen onto the secondary monitor.

(Let's use Yahoo for an example. Yahoo will be on your Primary monitor.
You need to drag Yahoo onto the Secondary monitor)

Which direction you drag, is up to which direction the two monitors are sitting, on your computer desk.

The way the monitors are sitting in Display Properties; the Primary monitor is on the Left. ( 1 )
The Secondary monitor ( 2 ) is on the Right.

This is the way the two monitors should sit on your computer desk.
(There is a way to switch them around, however)

On your Primary monitor, (Still using Yahoo as an example), go to the RIGHT side. See the blue frame going around the screen?

When you bring the mouse cursor ON the blue frame, it turns into a Double-Sided arrow.
It is difficult at first to keep the cursor as a double-sided arrow.

Move too far to the right, it turns into the usual pointed cursor.
Move too far to the left, and it turns into the usual pointed cursor.
have to keep it on the blue frame.

WHILE the mouse cursor is a Double-Sided arrow, left-click, and hold the left mouse button down. Now drag the screen to the Right.
(Move your mouse to the right)

Keep dragging until the Yahoo browser is on both monitors.

Different size monitors? The display will not be the same size, on both monitors.

[ I use an HP 2009m, 20-inch widescreen monitor, as a Primary monitor, and an RCA EN-V, 26 inch HDTV, as a Secondary monitor.

I have my desktop on the Primary monitor, and FixYa, (Firefox browser), on the Secondary monitor, right now ]

If this is not your problem please state in a Comment.
Also state additional questions in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

You can change the VGA cable to get the display.

Try using MP3 player or audio sources (cd) to feed the monitor to see if you get the sound OK to narrow down the problem to either Monitor or PC sound problem.

When you turn on most dell monitors they come on with a yellow light, then turn green when the monitor and video source synch. If your light is not turning from yellow to green, your monitor is either dead or not getting a signal from the video source it's plugged into. Verify in your BIOS settings that you have selected to output video through an installed card and not from the motherboard source. If the BIOS settings are correct, your monitor has died. If the light is turning green after you turn the computer on, press the menu button on the monitor and adjust the brightness/contrast until you have a picture. If you don't see anything when the menu button is pressed, then again your monitor is likely dead.

try going in to windows display propertys and click use this device

First the obvious, monitor is on? Cables are connected securely to back of monitor and PC? Power cable/power adapter are all connected and plugged in? If a power adapter is used, it will feel warm.
.
I am assuming it was working on some point and then stopped.

If you are getting power to monitor and it's power light is on, then I'd suggest a problem with the video output on PC

If you are not getting power to monitor or it's light is not on, the problem is with the monitor.It may have gone out on you. Try attaching to another computer.

The reason why your secondary monitor is showing no input from computer is because of the display resolution of your graphics card, which is higher than what the Monitor can handle.
What you can try is, when your system is powered up, just go to your display settings, then reduce the systems display resolution to--preferably 800x600, then go to where you normally select the output, and select 'Output to external monitor"...this should send the signal input to the monitor.
I have actually dealt with a no input signal before, and this was what I did.
Hope this helps.
Goodluck!

You could be expierencing a problem with your monitor screen. try this.... connect another monitor screen to the VGA port of your laptop. Now try booting up. Look for and push Fn + the key that turns on a secondary display. if the monitor screen comes on. you need
another laptop monitor. At least you can use your laptop with the second monitor for now.