View Full Version : Dual Monitor Question
allout1986
10-05-2006, 12:22 AM
Ok, this is starting to be a pain in my ass so I am going to ask for some help on it now.
I currently have a Sapphire Radeon x800gto2 256MB video card with dual dvi out on it so I was trying to hook up two monitors to it but am having some troubles. My main monitor is hooked up to it through the DVI to VGA adapter that was included with the card and I have a DVI to Component cable that I wanted to use to hook it up to my TV. The problem is, I can't seem to get it functioning correctly (and yes, the port is functional, I have switched them around to make sure). I have clicked to extend my desktop to my secondary monitor with no luck and can't seem to find anything to help me in getting it working.
Any help is appreciated.
Vinny
10-05-2006, 02:06 AM
That DVI to component dongle... where did you get it? Did it come with your graphics card?
I ask because that's very uncommon. Usually GPU makers use a stand alone port for their composite/s-vid/component connections. Most graphics cards that support dual displays have three outputs: two ports normally meant for computer monitors (either 2 DVi/VGA or one of each), and a single output for TVs.
If it didn't come with your GPU, then that's most likely your problem.
assassinX
10-05-2006, 02:10 AM
I have a question whats with these dual monitrs? Is it like some crazy gamer thing?
NC-17
10-05-2006, 12:27 PM
I have a question whats with these dual monitrs? Is it like some crazy gamer thing? Not really a gamer thing, but it's a productivity boon. Great for developers especially. More on screen, less window management needed, can have code on one screen, program/docs on another, or chat apps on one and browser on another, etc. Hard to go back to single monitor after using multimonitor for a while I tell ya... :)
Kayden
10-05-2006, 12:37 PM
By productivity boon, he means you can browse your porn files with one screen and play them on the other.
mtxbass1
10-05-2006, 12:42 PM
Not really a gamer thing, but it's a productivity boon. Great for developers especially. More on screen, less window management needed, can have code on one screen, program/docs on another, or chat apps on one and browser on another, etc. Hard to go back to single monitor after using multimonitor for a while I tell ya... :)
QFT. I'm a developer and I run dual 20.1" widescreen monitors. It drastically increases productivity. Now I can keep CAG open AND code on the other monitor. ;)
Often times, you have to make sure that you boot with both monitors connected and turned on before they will be recognized.
cheapfrag
10-05-2006, 02:35 PM
I'm no expert but I agree Vinny. I don't think use can use the TV as a monitor. (well in the old days I used to use a RF modulator with my Apple 2 to hook up to a TV.) Standard Def TVs are usually 640x480. You TVs not going to be able to handle the resolutions being output from the DVI output. Hook it up to the S-video output (but I'm not sure you will be able to extend your desktop using the S-video). Or get another analog monitor and DVI to VGA dongle and use that.
Kayden
10-05-2006, 04:03 PM
You can indeed use a TV as a monitor. I have done it. It looked like shit, but I only ever did it for movies or games. I tried with my HD tv, but I couldn't get it working as I had a cable that I suspect didn't match my card. However, in the NVidia drivers themselves, it talks of using a TV as an additional display.
I'm no expert but I agree Vinny. I don't think use can use the TV as a monitor. (well in the old days I used to use a RF modulator with my Apple 2 to hook up to a TV.) Standard Def TVs are usually 640x480. You TVs not going to be able to handle the resolutions being output from the DVI output. Hook it up to the S-video output (but I'm not sure you will be able to extend your desktop using the S-video). Or get another analog monitor and DVI to VGA dongle and use that.
Vinny
10-05-2006, 07:32 PM
I wasn't saying that he couldn't use the TV as a monitor, I was just saying that the dongle he's using is the reason why it wasn't working.
Also, whoever said to have both things hooked up before starting up your computer has a good point. My friends hook up their computers to TVs to watch videos on and whenever they want to use the TV as a second display, they have to restart.
BREVITY
10-05-2006, 10:01 PM
I have used two monitors for years both at work and at home. I love it and at home I have used my new HDTV instead of my normal monitor though I use the monitor more often. Its a great thing and one of those things that once you go to it its hard to go back. Very hard.
Whats funny is that now my main monitor is where you would expect to find one right in front of you but my second is two foot above it and to the left, I just love that you can change your settings so make it so that that second monitor is geographicaly where it should be compaired to the main monitor.
Anyway I agree with what others have said its your dongle. Just drop a little dough on another normal monitor of some type.