There have been a few questions here lately about how to run a dual monitor setup. So I decided to put together a basic tutorial of the hardware you will need, and how to set it up.

This tutorial covers:
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows 2000
Windows XP

There are basically two ways of setting up dual monitors:
1) One video card with dual monitor support.
2) Two video cards in one machine.

One video card with dual monitor support

The first questions you need to ask when buying a video card is: What will your motherboard support be? Do you need an AGP or a PCI card? You will either need to look at what you currently have in your computer or consult your motherboards manual.

Here is a picture of a "typical" motherboard. The AGP slot is brown, and the PCI is beige.

Dual monitor cards can come with a variety of connections on the back, VGA, DVI, TV-OUT. Because of this you need to look at your monitors connections before buying a card. Most cards come with 3 different options:
1) 2 VGA
2) 1 VGA / 1 DVI
3) 2 DVI

Since most cards that have DVI connections ship with DVI to VGA converters(or you can buy them separately), you can still use them for VGA monitors. This also will allow you to plan for the possibility of buying DVI connecting monitors down the road (Typicaly LCD Monitors).

The following are links to cards for this application:
ATI Radeon 9600 (VGA/DVI)
ATI All-In-Wonder 9600 XT (Dual VGA)
Matrox Parhelia (Dual DVI)


Two video cards setup

First off you will need to figure out whether you need to add, an AGP or a PCI card. Please look at the link above to view a diagram of a "typical" motherboard and compare it to yours. In most cases you will already have an AGP card installed, and will have to add a PCI card. For more information on what PCI cards are supported by Windows, check Microsoft's list here. Retro Back to Win98

The installation of video cards is very straight forward and should be in the instructions of the card you buy. But just in case:

1) Power down the machine and disconnect the power supply
2) Find an open PCI or AGP slot, and insert the card, until fully seated.
3) Connect your second monitor to the card
4) Re-Connect power supply and boot the computer
5) Install the software that came with the card
6) Re-Boot if necessary.

Now that your card is installed its time to setup windows to use it.


Windows Setup

1) Right click on your desktop, and Left Click properties. (Enter Display Properties)
2) Click the "Settings" Tab. This is roughly what you should see:

3) Click on monitor "2"
4) Click the checkbox for "Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor.

You can now adjust your monitors resolutions and other settings independently of each other. Most people prefer to have them match in resolution. If your unsure what your monitor will support, consult your owners manual.


That is it, your visual horizons should now be expanded.

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[mr-b]

Nice, simple and to the point. I'm sure a bunch of people out there will benefit from this.

[miko]

Nice to see something simple and to the point. My new setup will be dual monitor so this will come in handy. Thanks Xstream!

[degei]

Nice tut xstream
one question, pretty sure I know the answer, but I figure I'll bounce it off ultrashock anyway. Is there any way to set up duel monitor using a single monitor video card and onboard video? Pretty sure the anwer is no, because I had to disable the onboard in my BIOS to use my new video card when I got it, but any definitive answer would be great, would help me decide what's next on my "to buy" list.

[Jason]

Originally posted by degei
Nice tut xstream
one question, pretty sure I know the answer, but I figure I'll bounce it off ultrashock anyway. Is there any way to set up duel monitor using a single monitor video card and onboard video? Pretty sure the anwer is no, because I had to disable the onboard in my BIOS to use my new video card when I got it, but any definitive answer would be great, would help me decide what's next on my "to buy" list.

It sounds like you won't be able to use your onboard card, but if you have available slots, you should be able to add another PCI video card.

You also might want to check out the website for your motherboard. There may be BIOS updates available that would allow you to run both.

[miko]

What do you think of Viewsonic monitors Xtream? I want to get a couple for the new setup Any idea which one?

[Jason]

Originally posted by Miko
What do you think of Viewsonic monitors Xtream? I want to get a couple for the new setup Any idea which one?

Viewsonic has been know for quality monitors for a long time. We use them here at work all the time. Recently we purchased a few of the VP191s (19" Silver LCD... Link ) They are great monitors. I really only have experience with thier PRO series of monitors. Since I know they are good, I would suggest sticking with the PRO series.

There are other options out there though. I recently purchased an Envision EN9110 19" LCD (Link) . At first I was reluctant to buy an "off brand name" monitor. But after looking over the specs, and seeing it perform in the store, I decided to give it a go. I use it in PS, Flash, and gaming, and I'm just as happy with it as the dual 19" Dell's I have here at work.


You will love dual monitors though, once you have them, you will never want to go back....

[nrg]

ViewSonic monitors are indeed good, they only don't like cheap dual screen graphic cards. I had some serious screen flickering issues when I used my two ViewSonic VP201b (20 inch baby!, 1600*1200 each) in combination with a GeForce Ti 4200 card. The DVI output on the Geforce caused constant flikkering of the screen, while the analog VGA output didn't generate flikkering. I switched to a Matrox Parhelia Card (dual DVI output) and all issues are gone.

Here's a picture of my current workspace:

[Jason]

(20 inch baby!, 1600*1200 each)

I'm jealous....

[vGolf]

Hey NRG - what laptop are you using there?

[nrg]

Originally posted by vGolf
Hey NRG - what laptop are you using there?

Apple 15inch G4, 1.5 Ghz

[imdaking]

Hey xstream, a sweet addition to any dual monitor setup is a program called UltraMon, I forget the website. It's a pretty nice little addition!!

NRG! Nice setup! I'm shootin for 54" plasma screens dual of course!

[vGolf]

hey nrg, I thought you were a PC guy???

[Jason]

Originally posted by imdaking
Hey xstream, a sweet addition to any dual monitor setup is a program called UltraMon, I forget the website. It's a pretty nice little addition!!

I will try to find it, and check it out.

Thanks

[Jason]

Here is the link for Ultramon.

I have never used this software, but it looks interesting. If anyone has experience with it, lets hear some reviews.

[w9914420]

hey nrg,

link us with one of your monitors please

[justmaster]

I use the NVIDIA Program which came with the card, and it's great.