Dual Monitors

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DProvost

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#29442 7-Jan-2009 10:44

Hi. Im new here and I hope this is the right place for this.

I have a Viewsonic VG730m hooked up to my pc with the VGA cable and I wanted to add a second monitor. The second monitor I have is a Viewsonic VA712b.

I only have (1) vga output on pc. The monitors each have dvi ports witch I connected with a cable and I get nothing on the second monitor nor does my pc notice the second monitor. Help please.

CYaBro

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#187967 7-Jan-2009 10:57

Hi,

So how have you connected the second monitor to the computer?
Does the computer have a VGA and a DVI connection or have you looped the DVI cable from one monitor to the other?

Connecting the two monitors together with a DVI cable won't work.
You need to have a graphics card in the computer that supports dual monitors.
The other option would be a monitor multiplexer which would allow you to connect two or more monitors to the PC but this way they will all show the same thing.
A computer with dual monitor support allows you to have different things showing on each monitor.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

wellygary

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#187969 7-Jan-2009 11:12

You cannot "daisy-chain" monitors together,

your best bet is a VGA splitter, either a cable or a box,

depending on what sort of quality you require $13 at your local Dick Smiths' will get you one of these,

http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4963d69602af90b8273fc0a87f3b0726/Product/View/XH4242

But this solution will only mirror your displays, you cannot use it to display anything different, or to "expand" your desktop

DProvost

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#187971 7-Jan-2009 11:17

Ok
Yea I had run the VGA cable to 1 monitor and and run the DVI cable between monitors. No good I guess.
My pc only has (1) vga output so I will need a graphics card? I want to have differnet things on each monitor.

Thanks for the replys

xpd

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#187975 7-Jan-2009 11:28

If youre wanting to use dual displays for just the one workstation (extended desktop etc), then yup, you'll need either a 2nd video card or one with dual VGA/DVI (which most are these days).

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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DProvost

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#187982 7-Jan-2009 11:47

Yes that just what I want it for. Extended desktop. I will pick up a new card .

Thanks for all the fast responces.