Device manager does not show a monitor - problem??

[austim]

To all you knowledgeable people out there: I do not know if I have a problem or not, but...

I am running Win2000, SP2, 5.00.2195.

My monitor appears to be functioning OK, but when I open Device Manager it does not show a monitor in its list of devices.

When I open Control Panel/Display Properties/ Settings/ Advanced/ Monitor it shows that my monitor type is 'Default Monitor', but the adjacent properties button is greyed out and non-functional.

(a) Is it normal for me to be unable to see the monitor listed in Device manager?
(b) Is it a problem that I cannot do so?
(c) If yes to (b), what should I do about it?

(I have tried reinstalling my video card drivers (64MB GeForce2 MX400 AGP 4x), but nothing changed).

I am about to replace my current CRT monitor with a fancy new LCD monitor (rotatable by 90 degrees to be able to view tek-tips better, amongst other things), but do not want to do so until I am sure that my existing setup does not have a problem waiting to bite me.

Thanks in advance for all responses.

 

[gpalmer711]

There is no problem with not been able to view the monitor, it is probably due to the fact that Windows is using a generic monitor driver insted of the Monitor Manufacturers own drivers. If you didn't already have a new monitor I would have said to have a look on the internet and find some win2000 compatable monitor drivers. However you should have a driver disk with your new monitor so make sure you install that when you put your new monitor on. The Monitor dispay should then be visible in Device Manager.

 

[austim]

gpalmer711, thanks for your input.

Yes my new monitor has a CDrom with it, but in only contains the users manual for every monitor in the manufacturer's range (Hyundai) in several languages. Not a driver to be seen.

I did try downloading a driver for my existing monitor (ADI Microscan 5P+) and got an *.inf file. I left-clicked that, and clicked on instal. That appeared to have no effect at all.

I have given my new screen a trial run, but it also remained invisible to Device Manager. I have also downloaded a driver from the Hyundai website and 'installed' that, but again no result.

Both monitors claim to be plug-and-play. Would that mean that they should be using Microsoft's default driver and therefore nothing has been installed for them - hence the invisibility?

Perhaps I should just not worry about any of this ??

 

[wolluf]

If it works, don't worry about it. Inf files are almost certainly for win9x/ME - Win2k doesn't use those drivers.

 

[austim]

gpalmer711 - a small correction to my previous post - there WAS an *.inf file for my monitor in the CDRom - I had not noticed it previously. However, it did nothing for me :-(.

wolluf,I am getting the message - if it ain't broke, don't fix it - loud and clear from a number of sources. It seems that the basic "problem" is that both my monitors are plug-and-play capable. That appears to result in Win2K handling them with its own default driver, and nothing else has to be installed. Hence, no device listed.

Thank you both again for your input.

 

[Badger7]

" It seems that the basic "problem" is that both my monitors are plug-and-play capable. That appears to result in Win2K handling them with its own default driver, and nothing else has to be installed. "

Not exactly! W2K P has P&P monitor drivers, AND it lists them in DManager as such. It also lists a "defalt" monitor when that is all there is. Things like refresh rates and color are noticable when you have their correct drivers, so I would also wonder about this like you have. You might not be getting your monies worth!

What you need to do since obviously this is bothersome, is goto DeskTop Properties ... Settings ... Advanced ... Monitor ... Change ... then select anything "defalt" or "standard" or " P&P" ... and once you get a listing in DManager, Update/Upgrade the drivers from that visible device AFTER you reboot and save changes.

 

[Badger7]

NOTE

When you get to [ DeskTop Properties ... Settings ... Advanced ... Monitor ... Change ... then select anything "default" or "standard" or " P&P" ... ]

What I am meaning is make a change from the one that is already there, which should be DEFAULT, or it might say "Add Monitor" ... and there you go!

Badger7

 

[joepc]

You could also try going to view in device manager and select show hidden devices. I pretty sure win2k should show the monitor in device manager regardles of what it is using for a driver. Default or not it should still show it.

 

[austim]

Thankyou all, but please call off the dogs .

Yes, I have "show hidden devices" active - device manager still shows no monitor.

Yes, I have been to Display/ Properties/ Settings/ Advanced/ Monitor. That gets me to a screen which shows "Default Monitor", with an inactive "Properties" button next to it (greyed out), no option to change anything except refresh rate, no option to add anything.

I have been to Add Hardware, tried every way available, and have never been offered an option to add a new monitor.

I am now convinced that this does not merit any more of your valuable time.

Thank you all for your input.