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    Dual Monitor with Thinkpad t510

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by partyhard, Jan 8, 2011.

  1. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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    I just purchased a Dell U2311h and it is currently plugged to my thinkpad t510. Everything works fine except that I noticed faint horizontal lines scrolling from the bottom to the top of my dell monitor (doesn't happen on my laptop's screen). Any of you guys have an idea of what's causing this?
     
  2. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    are you using the displayport or vga connection?
     
  3. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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    VGA. I just checked the manual and it said that it recommended the use of the DVI cable for best results. But I don't know if using the VGA cable would cause this. What's the difference between the two?

    Unfortunately I don't have a display port cable to check if I still get the lines.
     
  4. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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    I have been searching a bit on the internet and could this be because of interference? If so should I use a display port or is it would a vga to dvi adapter work?
     
  5. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    vga is analogue and dvi/displayport uses digital signal, which is less prone to interferences.

    From memory the U2311h should come with the displayport cable.

    VGA to DVI cable won't work.
     
  6. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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    Nah it only comes with a vga and dvi cable. But why wouldn't a vga to dvi adapter work?
     
  7. halobox

    halobox Notebook Deity

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    Because they are usually cheaply made. You should try another one if you really must.

    Or consider DisplayPort to DVI Video Adapter Converter. Works great.
     
  8. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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    I've decided to purchase a displayport cable from amazon (t510 has a displayport port). I'll post results when I get it in 1-2 weeks.
     
  9. halobox

    halobox Notebook Deity

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    Which one did you get?
     
  10. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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  11. halobox

    halobox Notebook Deity

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    Ah. I didn't realize you wanted to try DisplayPort end-to-end. Cool.
     
  12. KingRaptor

    KingRaptor Notebook Evangelist

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    Regarding the faint lines running on your external display...I've had similar problems when I connected my Dell Studio with my Samsung screen. I found out that the lines only appear when the laptop was being charged. I dont know if this is interference or something not being grounded.
     
  13. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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    Interesting. I just unplugged my t510 and the lines seem to have disappeared. However once I plugged it again, the lines didn't reappear. Maybe this happens if the laptop is plugged while booting up?
     
  14. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    are you using the laptop with 3 prong ac adapter or the 2 prong ac adapter (i.e. figure 8 ac cable)?
     
  15. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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    2 prong. It's the one that came with the t510.
     
  16. partyhard

    partyhard Notebook Consultant

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    I got the cables two days ago and the problem seems to be fixed. No more horizontal lines :)