Quadro 4000 / Maya 2010 Multi-Display Issue

The problem:

There's an issue using multiple displays with the nVidia Quadro 4000 and Maya 2010. When set up as separate monitors, OpenGL is only supported on the monitor designated as the primary. I get an error message saying that OpenGL is not supported on the videocard, or that the drivers are not set up properly.


The workaround:

Instead of 'Dual-View', switch over to 'Horizontal Span' (or Vertical Span). This makes the operating system consider your multiple monitors as one giant monitor, which makes it think all your monitors are the primary monitor.

Gearing Up for 64bit Transition

I've reached the realization that for the upcoming film I'll be working on, a 32bit pipeline just isn't going to cut it. An upgrade to an all 64bit pipeline is in the works, starting with a Snow Leopard upgrade on the editing system.

The PC workstation will receive the first Windows XP 64bit upgrade. If everything goes well (aka computer doesn't explode), the Quad-Quad nodes will receive the same upgrade.

Upgrading the workstation to 8GBs of ram instead of the sad 4GBs currently on the workstation. If there's a huge difference in render performance, might opt to upgrade all of the Quad-Quad Nodes to 8GB of ram as well.

Also to address the failed 400CX power supply on the Quad-Quad Node #2, I'm upgrading the workstation's PSU to a Corsair AX850, one of Corsair's 'gold' line of power supplies. The current 650watt PSU was setting off voltage drop alarms, which I suspect to be the reason for numerous crashes. Let's see how the 'gold' line 850watt will do. Node #2 will receive the 650watt.

More to come. Yay!