which screen is my main PC?

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gordonisnz

112 posts

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#283968 22-Mar-2021 19:46

On a WIN10 Pc. i have a in-screen PC (no extra box), and a second screen connected by a cord/wire (forgot what its called)

is there a way to find

a) Which screen is the main computer / CPU etc.. and the other is just a screen..

and

b) the name/type of the second screen (not the PC) - so i can tell the retail store what ive got.

ba) the type of connection i have (I forget the word)

Ps Ive switched screens in the past so screen 1 is screen 2 and screen 2 is screen 1. so i cant rely on the screen numbers.

Jase2985

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#2678762 22-Mar-2021 19:49

right click desktop > Multiple displays > make this my main display (depends on which screen is selected a the top)

gordonisnz

112 posts

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#2678765 22-Mar-2021 19:54

Jase2985:

right click desktop > Multiple displays > make this my main display (depends on which screen is selected a the top)

I dont have that right-click option. However I DO know how to swap displays (if i want to).

But that doesnt tell me WHICH one is my main PC & which is the 2nd-screen

granada29

57 posts

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#2678768 22-Mar-2021 20:01

Unplug the cable connecting the two. Whichever one still works has the CPU.

Jase2985

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#2678769 22-Mar-2021 20:05

sorry i missed a step

right click desktop > display settings > scroll down to Multiple displays > make this my main display (depends on which screen is selected a the top)

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2678833 22-Mar-2021 21:41

You'll also probably find that the actual computer is heavier, thicker, and has things like an Ethernet port, headphone sockets etc.

Oblivian

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#2678844 22-Mar-2021 22:10

Jase2985:

sorry i missed a step

Mighta missed the point with that one (have a re-read what OP is actually asking) ;)

All-in-one + monitor.

Now to the question at hand. There will only be 2 cables to the LCD. Power, video in. And a lot more to the all-in-one.

As for model. Back panel near said input holes. Front panel menu button will show on OSD incl model of a pure LCD if newish

Or if that is hard on then run up 'powershell' and use these 3 lots of commands

1 Model and make of PC

2 Serial number of PC

3 Monitor detail

Get-WmiObject Win32_ComputerSystem | Select Manufacturer,Model

Get-WmiObject Win32_BIOS | Select SerialNumber

function Decode {
If ($args[0] -is [System.Array]) {

[System.Text.Encoding]::ASCII.GetString($args[0])

}

Else

{

"Not Found"

}

} echo "Name, Serial"

ForEach ($Monitor in Get-WmiObject WmiMonitorID -Namespace root\wmi) {

$Name = Decode $Monitor.UserFriendlyName -notmatch 0

$Serial = Decode $Monitor.SerialNumberID -notmatch 0

echo "$Name, $Serial"

}

andrewNZ

2487 posts

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#2678863 22-Mar-2021 23:00

What if we go the simple route... The fatter one is probably the PC

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

Oblivian

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#2678865 22-Mar-2021 23:04

As for connectors. Colour coded. And google can help

White - DVI,

Blue - VGA,

Black with kink 1 side and a 'D' - DisplayPort,

Black with curved kink both sides like your TV cables - HDMI

Mehrts

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#2679446 23-Mar-2021 17:23

Pictures say a thousand words.

ANglEAUT

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#2679457 23-Mar-2021 18:19

Pictures like this?

Thanks to Expert Reviews: HDMI vs DisplayPort vs DVI vs VGA vs USB-C: Every connection explained plus how to get 144Hz

Edit: picture size

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

ANglEAUT

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#2679458 23-Mar-2021 18:21

Mehrts:

Pictures say a thousand words.

Gosh, I think you meant OP should post pictures of his set up. 🤣

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

ANglEAUT

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#2679460 23-Mar-2021 18:33

gordonisnz: ... is there a way to find ...

a) Answered above by granada29 and SomewhereSomewhere and andrewNZ

b.1) Generally, the manufacturer has a logo on the bottom frame. Next, find the model number on the sticker at the back.

b.2) Post legible pictures of the front of your monitor & the sticker into this thread.

ba) See my post above

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SomeoneSomewhere

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#2679469 23-Mar-2021 18:38

Actually, dumbest option... which has the power button that you push to turn the whole thing on? That's the actual computer.

Batman

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#2679482 23-Mar-2021 19:26

which one has more USB ports?

which one do you plug the keyboard into?

Mehrts

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#2679488 23-Mar-2021 19:43

ANglEAUT:

Gosh, I think you meant OP should post pictures of his set up. 🤣

Well, it would make answering their initial questions much easier.. 🤷‍♂️