Computer/monitor question

[Monkeyman]

I'm having an unusual computer/monitor/dock issue. I have a (3) year old Lenovo Thinkpad T450s along with the docking station and (2) 32" HP Pavilion monitors. I bought the laptop used about a year ago and so far, it's been flawless. Recently, I've tried to play Netflix and Amazon Prime videos on 1 monitor whilst surfing on the other. Unfortunately, once the video starts to play, the screen on the 2nd monitor dies. Blank screen, just as if I shut the monitor off. If I play a video off of an SSD/HDD, everything is fine. I don't recall this happening before but generally I watch Netflix/Amazon Prime content on my TV.

Not sure if this is a laptop, docking station or monitor issue. When I swap windows between the monitors, the issue continues but on the opposite monitor. This makes me think this is NOT a monitor issue. I'd rather not buy another laptop or docking station as both are fairly expensive and I'd feel the need to upgrade the laptop if I'm going to drop a grand on a replacement.

Any suggestions, please?

[ponch]

It's probably a problem with the multimedia plugin, video driver and browser. What browser are you using? Have you tried using one browser with Netflix and a different one for other stuff? Have you tried hitting F11? Some people say that works. I would try updating the video drivers/browsers and multimedia plugins like Silverlight. I am guessing it's Win10? Is it up to date?

[Chuck A.]

I think your motorcycle is jealous and has put a bug in the laptop. The bike is needed road time. Go play!


Ya had to know somebody was gonna say it.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by ponch

It's probably a problem with the multimedia plugin, video driver and browser. What browser are you using? Have you tried using one browser with Netflix and a different one for other stuff? Have you tried hitting F11? Some people say that works. I would try updating the video drivers/browsers and multimedia plugins like Silverlight. I am guessing it's Win10? Is it up to date?

Win10Pro w/all the latest and greatest (according to MicroSloth) updates. I generally use FF but I've tried it w/Internet Exploder and Chrome. Same issues. I've swapped left and right monitors and it continues to happen but on the opposite monitor. All drivers are updated.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Chuck A.

I think your motorcycle is jealous and has put a bug in the laptop. The bike is needed road time. Go play!


Ya had to know somebody was gonna say it.

Probably right, bro. I ride every chance I get but when it's 30* or raining or night (when I can't see black ice), I tend to stay home.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Win10Pro w/all the latest and greatest (according to MicroSloth) updates. I generally use FF but I've tried it w/Internet Exploder and Chrome. Same issues. I've swapped left and right monitors and it continues to happen but on the opposite monitor. All drivers are updated.

Are you in full screen in the browser? If so, what happens if you exit it? It's bug with Windows/Browsers/Netflix. It doesn't happen on a Mac, at least I haven't had it happen on a Mac.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by ponch

Are you in full screen in the browser? If so, what happens if you exit it? It's bug with Windows/Browsers/Netflix. It doesn't happen on a Mac, at least I haven't had it happen on a Mac.

The only way to get monitor #2 back is to close out the video in Netflix/Amazon Prime. Stopping the video and/or minimizing the window does nothing.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

The only way to get monitor #2 back is to close out the video in Netflix/Amazon Prime. Stopping the video and/or minimizing the window does nothing.

How are you connected to the displays? HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI or USB-C? If you can do a video with your phone to show what is happening and share the video, that would help a lot too.

[Monkeyman]

HDMI on one and DP on the other. Taking a video of the issue is a good idea. Probably won't have an opportunity until this weekend as I keep my work laptop hooked up to the monitors during the work week. I'll try to get that vid up this weekend for review. :)

[smokier]

Greetings,


Betting the power supply isn't powerful enough to drive the displays and the spinning disk at the same time. SSD's require much less power than a spinning disk.


Smokier

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by smokier

Greetings,


Betting the power supply isn't powerful enough to drive the displays and the spinning disk at the same time. SSD's require much less power than a spinning disk.


Smokier

What "spinning discs"? My laptop has an SSD. The issue I'm having has nothing to do with the SSD. Actually, when I'm watching something I've saved to the SSD, both monitors work flawlessly.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by smokier

Greetings,


Betting the power supply isn't powerful enough to drive the displays and the spinning disk at the same time. SSD's require much less power than a spinning disk.


Smokier

Nah. dual displays and reflex have been an issue for some for years. It could be part of their digital rights management and how the video is handled by the computer, which is to say, a combination of hardware and software. Docks have firmware too and maybe you should look into updating that. You didn't say what kind of dock either. It could be an issue related to the video in that is it integrated or discrete video? One thing you might want to check is that the drivers might put in MS generic drivers instead of the proprietary drivers from the manufacturer of the computer depending on how the OS was installed. What happens when you mirror the displays instead of extending them? Does it display on both?

[Monkeyman]

Seems to be working now. Odd. Really odd. I don't know that I did anything different. I'll try again next weekend and see if the issue comes back.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Seems to be working now. Odd. Really odd. I don't know that I did anything different. I'll try again next weekend and see if the issue comes back.

It could be updates Netflix did to their system that affects how HTML5 interacts with other OSes. Maybe they knew there was a problem and fixed it. Sometimes changes in the software on either side of the equation causes problems that needs to be addressed and until there are enough complaints, it won't be. Looks like you got lucky.

[Cristozan]

Hi! There is a possibility that this is how the first signs of problems with the hard drive manifest themselves. I think you should contact the service center to conduct a complete diagnosis of all systems of your laptop. You can also contact data recovery to help you solve this problem. In any case, let me remind you that even preventive cleaning of the laptop from dust must be done at least once a year and it is better if computer specialists do it. Because if you do not pay attention to the problem you describe and try to solve it yourself, there is a chance of completely breaking the computer.