Want to get rid of a third display that I don't have

[Procrastinator]

The monitor on the far right is the one in question. I have a dual monitor set up with the other two. I don't know why that third one exists (I don't have a third monitor, TV, or anything else hooked up); it's annoying since windows seem to randomly appear over there and I have to "fish" them out. All I know is that that display is called "Television". Any ideas? I'm running Tiger, fully updated, on a PowerMac G5.

Cheers.

 

[Denarius]

Presumably you've clicked 'detect displays' in there?

 

[Procrastinator]

Presumably you've clicked 'detect displays' in there?

Yes, multiple times; nothing has ever changed.

 

[Denarius]

Have you tried deleting com.apple.windowserver.plist from /Library/Preferences?

Edit: You'd need to restart afterwards or go to terminal and type 'killall Finder'.

 

[Procrastinator]

Have you tried deleting com.apple.windowserver.plist from /Library/Preferences?

Edit: You'd need to restart afterwards or go to terminal and type 'killall Finder'.

No cigar after doing all of what you said (including rebooting and the command) The zombie display is still there.

Edit: If it helps, I can send you the output from System Profiler.

 

[Denarius]

Makes me wonder if it's hardware related. What happens if you remove the second display? Is it still there?

It's a tower I see. Have you tried reseating the graphics card?

 

[Procrastinator]

Makes me wonder if it's hardware related. What happens if you remove the second display? Is it still there?

Way ahead of you. I've tried multiple monitor combos (different monitors, only one monitor, and so on) and that "Television" display always remains.

Edit: I'll try messing with the graphics card here in a bit. While I'm at it I'll hit the system with some canned air.

 

[Denarius]

Don't know whether I posted the bit about reseating the the graphics card after you read that?

Edit: It appears that you saw my edit and edited in reply which I missed. :-/ If resetting the plist didn't crack it and messing around with monitors didn't then I'd definitely be suspicious of the graphics card. Has it always been like this or has it happened recently.

 

[Procrastinator]

Sorry for taking so long, the dusting took a lot longer than I thought it would. Also, yes, I did reseat the graphics card. As of booting it back up the situation is the same.

I'm pretty sure it's always been like this. I forgot to mention it before but it used to be a video-editing system long ago.

 

[Inconsequential]

Could be a piece of software from a video in/out capture card of some sort that is still hanging about?

Reinstall the OS? Probably would be a benefit anyway...

 

[crazzyeddie]

Zap the PRAM. Cmd+Opt+P+R at boot.

You could also try resetting the SMU, which may be a button on your motherboard or a power-button procedure, depending on your exact model.

 

[Denarius]

Sorry for taking so long, the dusting took a lot longer than I thought it would. Also, yes, I did reseat the graphics card. As of booting it back up the situation is the same.

I'm pretty sure it's always been like this. I forgot to mention it before but it used to be a video-editing system long ago.

Has it got another card installed with a TV out? If not, having a driver still in there as was mentioned before sounds like a possibility, as somebody else mentioned.