New Powerbook - Duel Monitor Problems

[Imhotep1963]

I'm having some display issues with my new 1.25 ghz Powerbook G4. So far only in duel monitor mode, when I have the 2nd monitor set to anything greater than 1280 x 1024 75 mhz (millions), around 3 minutes after the screen saver goes on both screens get crackling horizontal lines and the 2nd monitor spits out some loud crackling noises until I unlock the screen saver. Although it has happened once at 1280 x 1024. The monitor is a Viewsonic PF790 that's rated at 1600 x 1200. It has not happened in stand alone yet. I suspect the Powerbook because this did not happen with the Ti that I had previously.

Also, which may or may not be related, my battery life is nowhere close to the advertised 4.5 hours. Maybe 2 if I'm lucky!

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[ElDiabloConCaca]

It sounds like the screen saver is trying to change the resolution of the external monitor when it kicks in, and perhaps is trying to display the changed resolution at a refresh rate the external monitor can't understand/handle.

As for the battery life, make sure you have the Energy Saver processor settings set to "Reduced." If you have it set to "Automatic" or "Highest" then you won't see the advertised battery life.