Acer Nitro AN515-52 Unable to Detect 2nd Monitor

Makaw

I had already tried the following prior to this posting. Just bought this laptop last Sunday, 09/29 (Acer Nitro AN515-52). I have an older Acer monitor with only VGA connector. I had bought an adapter from HDMI to VGA or VGA to HDMI so that I can still use my older Acer Monitor. Unfortunately, it doesn't detect the 2nd monitor at all.

1. Hardware issue, I had already tested this cable/cord with my older Acer laptop and it is working just working with same set up. So, I would remove hardware as an issue.
2. I had already uninstall then install new driver to update. Both for Intel and Nvidia. (VGA_Intel_23.20.16.5018_W10x64_A & VGA_nVidia_388.73_W10x64_A from the support website.
3. I had already tried to check (Windows+P) to either duplicate, extend, second monitor only but still unable to make it work.
4. I had updated all windows system update and still get the same issue.

I am hoping you can help me with this as I am already getting frustrated with being unable to solve issue.

Thank you.

JackE

Getting a another monitor was probably the best solution. Your HDMI output port is not the usual plain vanilla type with its advanced switchable features. I suspect your basic HDMI-2-VGA adapter just couldn't handle it. Jack E/NJ

JackE

(1) Did you try to turn the monitor on with the FN+F5 toggle key combo?

(2) Does it detect HDMI out to a TV OK?

(3) Did you test using the HDMI port and HDMI2VGA adapter on your older machine?

Jack E/NJ

Makaw

Hi JackE,

Thank you so much for responding to my questions. 

1. Yes, did that but nothing is happening on my 2nd monitor and still has no signal. 
2. Yes, HDMI out to TV is working fine. 
3. Yes, I did tried and it is working fine from my Acer Aspire laptop. 

Will appreciate any help.

Thank you.

JackE

>>>>(3) Did you test using the HDMI port and HDMI2VGA adapter on your older machine?>>>

>>>>3. Yes, I did tried and it is working fine from my Acer Aspire laptop. >>>>

Let me ask this a bit differently. Does your older laptop have an HDMI port that directly outputs to the HDMI TV without an adapter? Jack E/NJ

Makaw

Hi JackE,

Yes, my older Acer laptop has HMDI port and used the same cord with my new laptop. Old laptop work out fine while the new laptop don't detect the 2nd monitor. This is while using the same set up, HDMI to VGA using an adapter.

JackE

What screen resolution are you trying to mirror in the new system vs the old system? Jack E/NJ

PS: What Windows version is on your older system? And did you get installation media for the vga monitor when you bought it?

Makaw

Hi Jacke,

New system has a recommended resolution of: 1920x1080 (60 Hz)

While old laptop has:
1366x768 (60 Hz) - Old Acer aspire laptop
1366x768 (59 Hz) - Acer Monitor (Model: S1911HQL)

Please advise. Thanks

JackE

Do you recall getting installation media for the vga monitor when you first go it? The reason I ask is that Windows needs to have preloaded information on how to configure the HDMI digital port to detect, to handshake & to output to a particular analog VGA monitor via a dumb HDMI-2-VGA adapter. Almost like a monitor driver. Earlier ACER versions of Windows likely had this info preloaded. A quick search of the model number S1911HQL didn't yield anything. That's why I asked what Windows version was on the older laptop because VGA is really being phased out.  If Win10 doesn't have this info preloaded, it won't know what's plugged into the HDMI port except maybe a dumb adapter with no VGA monitor attached or detected. There used to be more expensive smarter HDMI-2-VGA adapters that stored this information for some but not all common VGA monitors. They may not be available now except maybe used on Ebay. And then there's no guarantee they're loaded with your ACER monitor's info that Win10 needs to interact with it. So again do your recall getting any driver pack with this old monitor? Jack E/NJ

Makaw

Hi JackE, unfortunately, this had been a really old monitor and don't think I have it til now. 

Just wondering though, the software for such old VGA is what I am looking for? Or should it be the actual VGA cord that I need to find? 

Just asking because if its the VGA Cable, I may try and swap some. But if its a software thing, I may not find it now right?

Makaw

Hey JackE, I just realized that I had a typo on the model of the monitor. It should be S191HQL. I tried to check Acer Support for drivers but it only supports up to windows 7. Thoughts?

JackE

I suggest that you download the Win7 driver. Then try to install it in Win10's compatibility mode for Win7 to see what happens. To do this, right click on the Win7 EXE installation file. Click properties. Then Click the compatibility tab. Then select run in Win7 compatibility mode. It may not need compatiblity mode since its only an info file but just in case. Jack E/NJ  

Makaw

Hello JackE, tried but when I go to properties, I can't seem to find the "Compatibility Mode" tab.

JackE

Then try to install it anyway. Jack E/NJ

Makaw

hi JackE, tried but got an error about digital signature. I've decided to just buy a new monitor anyway. 

JackE

Are you sure it's S191HQL? I can only find s190HQL and s191WL? And only info driver for the s191wl? How old is your monitor anyway? What Windows version is on your old laptop. We may be able to get it off the older laptop. It's just an info file that Win10 should be able to handle. Jack E/NJ

Makaw

Hi JackE,

Here's the link for S191HQL model from the Acer Website: https://www.acer.com/ac/en/ID/content/support-product/2548;-;

Older laptop has the following info:


New Laptop has:

JackE

That's not an EXE file, it's an INF information file. So plug in the monitor into the HDMI port. Then open DeviceManager. Click the Action tab at the top. Click Add Legacy hardware. Follow directions on the add hardware wizard. Remember which folder the unzipped INF folder is located in. Jack E/NJ

Makaw

Hello JackE, 

That gives me hope for a bit but while I was trying to follow the instruction, I am stuck with the following questions:

1. What Device should I select to add the Legacy Hardware? 
2. What "Hardware" should I select from the following:


- I already tried "Display Adapters" & "System Devices" but got this error message:


Please advise. Thank you again.

JackE

It's not a display adapter but a monitor. How about when you click on the top 'show all devices'? Is the monitor turned on? Jack E/NJ

Makaw

I tried but still got the same error the show all devices but got same error. 

Also, "Monitor" is not part of the option:



Yes, monitor turned out but black out with amber light from the power button.

Thanks.

JackE

Have you tried turning the monitor on before you turn the laptop on? Jack E/NJ