Linked Display Adapter changes can cause undesired application behavior in Windows 7

Applies to: Windows 7 EnterpriseWindows 7 ProfessionalWindows 7 Ultimate

Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:
  • You have a computer running Windows 7.
  • Two or more PCI-e graphics adapters are installed and are in a Linked Display Adapter (LDA) configuration.
  • You utilize a third party application to change the configuration or settings of the LDA.
In this scenario, when you change the configuration or settings of the LDA, some third party applications may not function as expected.


Cause

Even though the Windows operating system kernel supports LDA changes without the need to reboot the computer, some applications may have problems until a reboot is performed.

Resolution

Restart the computer after you make any changes to the configuration or settings to the LDA configuration.


More Information

For additional information on some of the frequently asked questions on video cards, click on the following link:

Video cards: frequently asked questions
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Video-cards-frequently-asked-questions