How to create a dual monitor setup?

[Denvers Dawgs]

I currently have an HP1630n which has onboard video runing Windows XP Media Center Edition-Version 2002 w/SP2. What would I need to have this pc run a dual monitor setup?

[poisondeathray]

Most onboard video graphics lack 2 video outputs; check to see if you do

If you don't, you need to buy a video card that does (also check to see if you have expansion slots)

Then you just connect to each monitor and adjust it (turn it on) in the display settings

[Denvers Dawgs]

So I'd need to buy a new videocard with 2 out puts, not just another single card? (and the run one off the onboard, other off new card?

[edDV]

New card but first find out what expansion slots you have.

[redwudz]

If you have on-board video, check your BIOS settings. Some need to disable on-board video to use a second PCI or PCI-E or AGP card. If not, you may be able to run both at once. Or you can buy a dual head card, but they can be expensive for good quality output, like some of the Matrox cards.

What I've done for an inexpensive setup is use a card with a DVI and a VGA output and use one for each type monitor. Or some cards come with a DVI to VGA adapter and that makes it easier for dual VGA.


One site for dual monitor setups: http://www.cyberinkdesign.com/dual_monitors.htm Or a Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-monitor

One method of having different wallpapers on each monitor: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows/dual-monitors-use-a-different-wallpaper-on-each-desktop/

[Denvers Dawgs]

This is what I have for expansion slots

Expansion slots:

Slot type...............................................Quantity
PCI............................................... .......Three (Two available)
PCI Express x16...................................One (One available)

[budz]

Since you have a PCI EXPRESS x16 slot you can buy a PCI-EXPRESS video card. As redwudz mentioned get one that has (1) DVI & (1) VGA. I have a PCI-E video card that has DVI & VGA so I can use if for a 23 inch lcd tv and 32 inch lcd tv. Make sure you disable your onboard video card before you install the PCI-E VIDEO CARD.

[rallynavvie]

If you do get a new PCI-E video card I'd put a vote in for one of the GeForce n600GT cards (where "n" is either a 7 or 8). I have a 7600GT because the 7800 series cards didn't have the HD MPEG decoding capabilities for some reason. I think the n800 series are aimed at gamers and the mid-grade n600 cards are for home theater?

I run a 24" LCD (1920x1200) and a 37" LCD (1920x1080) on my 7600GT.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I'm only going to be using the dual monitor setup for office/internet and photoshop, so do I need a highend vid card or can I go with a cheaper one?

[rallynavvie]

Are both the monitors DVI? Get the cheapest card with dual DVI outputs. Really that option is the safest anyway since you can get DVI to RGB adapters pretty cheap (if the card doesn't come with them). You only need an expensive card for gaming.

[Denvers Dawgs]

Well my current 19" only has VGA, but I'm not 100% about the other since I haven't bought it yet, but I'm looking in the 22-24" range, so probably DVI, Right? So I'd need a card with one of each outputs. Got any suggestions for a decent inexpensive card or brand?

[wingnut2003]

You could possibly use one of these http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/dh2go/home.php then you wouldn't have to disable the onboard video and add a new card.

[redwudz]

Taking a quick look through NewEgg, here's one that might work for you: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130322

It comes with a VGA adapter. There are cheaper ones and more expensive ones with the same features. That one is about $35US. Look for a adapter like this in the photos:

[jagabo]

I'd get a card with dual DVI output. At least one of the the DVI ports usually inludes analog RGB for VGA via an adapter like the one pictured above. It will cost more though.

[Denvers Dawgs]

Has anyone used something like the DualHead2Go part? The site says "To take full advantage of DualHead2Go, we recommend you use two identical monitors (that is, monitors that support the same monitor settings such as monitor resolution and refresh rate).

I'd like to use my current 19" Proview PL916 and possibly the 22 Acer AL2216Wbd. Anyone think that I may have problems?


If I do go the buy a new vid card, how would I shutoff my onboard video in the Bios?

[TBoneit]

I've always just used an inexpensive Nvida based card with one DVI & one VGA port. For what you stated that is all you need. Load the latest drivers from Nvidia and once you plug in the second monitor it will be available for use.

[budz]

If I do go the buy a new vid card, how would I shutoff my onboard video in the Bios?

I with Tboneit just get a video card that has a DVI and VGA port. To shutdown the onboard video you'll need to go through the motherboard bios to disable it. When booting up your computer hit the delete key to bring up the motherboard bios. Then look for the onboard video and disable it. It should be under intergrated peripherials.

[edDV]

... Then look for the onboard video and disable it. It should be under intergrated peripherials.

Make sure the new display card is installed and connected to the computer monitor on the next reboot or you won't see the Windows menus. Windows defaults to an internal display driver that will give a good enough display to get the card's Windows driver and control software installed.

[SmokieStover]

2 Years ago I bought the 2nd cheapest PCI-e card I could find with DVI and VGA outputs. It came with an adaptor which I use to run two different VGA monitors, each of which can be set at different resolutions and refresh rates. It also has a S-Video out as a third display output, but the card only runs two display devices at a time. I would rate the S-Video out as only fair, but the monitor outputs in 2D are very good.

Check my PC profile.

You want a card that uses only on-card memory. I have an 128 MB FX 5200 in another PC that works a bit better than the ATI 256 MB card

[redwudz]

Just to mention, most newer motherboards will default to a add-on PCI or PCI-E card automatically if it's installed and ignore the on-board video card. But if not, you can disable the on-board in BIOS. A lot of BIOSs don't have disable anymore for a on-board video card. But they may have a selector for the on-board or the add-on card.

Most times, when installing a new video card, I delete the old card or on-card driver, then shut down, then install the new card and reboot. Windows should then tell you you have a new card and ask for the drivers. Not a big problem most times, but if you have on-board Nvidia and then install a PCI (E) Nvidia card, you could have some driver conflicts and Windows may not bring up the new device driver request. I hope that all makes sense.

What you need for a video card depends on what you need for output. Most times it will be VGA. If you need DVI X 2, then you might want a dual DVI output card. Unless you need a high end card for gaming or maybe HDTV display, the cheaper ones may do you fine.

[TBoneit]

BTW on HP computers it isn't the Del key for the Bios. As I remember it HP is F1, & F10 is systemn recovery. Dell is F2 and Crtl F11 on XP machines for System recovery. So be sure to stay out of System Recovery unless you need to restore to as new.

Many Dell & HP you just put in the new card, attach the monitor and done.