Working with 2 screens

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Pierre C Belarge

Pierre C Belarge

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Westchester County, New York
A couple of days ago I learned how to attach another screen to my computer. I have a couple of screens collecting dust, and was shown how to install the second screen. It could not have been easier, I just did not know my computer had the capabilities. My computer guy told me most modern computers have the capability.


The best part is how much more work I can actually get done with the two screens. It makes researching that much faster/more productive.

It is very cool!!!
 
Pierre,

I think the capability has been there since Windows 98 came out.
I agree, it's a great thing to have. Unfortunately, I just don't have the Desk Space to do it right now.

BTW, as far as I know, you can have as many as 9 Monitors hooked up in 3 rows of 3.

Bill
 
Most of our designers use two screens. One is for the CAD program, and the other is for everything else. It helps them not to have to switch back and forth from the CAD program, every time a new email comes in.
 
I've been known to read from more than book at the same time however having two monitors to use at the same time would be really cool. I am going to have to look into setting that up! 8)
 
Re: Working with 2 screens

Pierre C Belarge said:
A couple of days ago I learned how to attach another screen to my computer. I have a couple of screens collecting dust, and was shown how to install the second screen. It could not have been easier, I just did not know my computer had the capabilities. My computer guy told me most modern computers have the capability.


The best part is how much more work I can actually get done with the two screens. It makes researching that much faster/more productive.

It is very cool!!!
Click to expand...


So how did you do it?
 
I'll bet you can get even more work done with two keyboards and two mice!!!
:D :D

So how did you do it?
Click to expand...

First you find a coworker with a really nice monitor. Then you wait till he is at lunch....

Steve
 
Yah, but soon you are going to have a neck ache from looking back and forth. I have a whole department that is using this and are having ergonomic problems.
 
I do a lot of CAD and run engineering software also, plus I do my panel schedules on Excel. I'm getting ready to install another 19" LCD to extend my desktop. I've heard it really enhances CAD work.
 
Maybe someone can help me here.

If I plug a monitor into my lap top and turn it on all the boot up screens are on the external monitor and my laptop screen is dark.

As soon as Windows is loaded the external monitor shuts down and the lap top screen comes on line.

How do I run both at the same time?

Thanks, Bob
 
iwire said:
How do I run both at the same time?
Click to expand...

My guess would be you can't get there from here. The multiple monitor thing Windows implements requires multiple video cards.

The behavior you're seeing is probably the difference between "supports the h/w" and "exploits the h/w".
 
Yes. Right click on your desktop and go to "properties" then "settings" then (trying to remember) I think "Display". Or, look at your laptop keyboard, and look for a symbol on your "F" keys that looks like two boxes. Hold down "function" and hit that Fkey. My old laptop was Function+F4. My new one is Function+F5.
 
iwire said:
Is there a way to set it to just run the external monitor?
Click to expand...

If there is, it would probably be on the display settings "advanced" button -- this is where all the display driver h/w specific things are hidden.

An LCD display is fundamantally different h/w than a vid tube. No scan rates, refresh, dot clocks, etc to be dealt with in the normal sense. It may be that the external port has limited functionality.

In these days of "value engineering" its impossible to say what the actual capabilities of the H/W are without knowing what the machine's make/model are. Even then, the SOB's will make slipstream EC's during a production run if someone will sell'em cheaper parts. Years ago Dell was famous for putting different video in the same model machines depending on the day of the week, phases of the moon, and what trucks happened to arrive at the loading dock first :lol:
 
I was trying to figure out how to hook up a 2nd screen at the home 'puter. Today I ask my computer guru. He says, "Do you have a 2nd video card?"

DOH?!?!

Saw the set up at My GC friends office. Might do that for myself at the office...

We'll see....
 
first I will discuss the procedure.

1. you need a second monitor or flat screen or whatever.
2. Turn off your computer and plug the second screen into the appropriate location, including plugging it into power.
3. turn computer back on
4. right click on the blank area of your desktop.
5. the display properties window will open
6. click on settings
7. turn on your second screen
8. if your computer can handle two screens, you will see two icons, screens 1 & 2
9. click on screen two
10. set your screen resolution to 1024x768
11. click okay and away you go.
forgot: color quality - if your computer handles 32 bits, set it to that, if it doesn/t, set it to 16... you will know, as the computer will let you know if you have made a mistake.



Now
click open another window. Drag that window over to your new screen. Soon you will get used to it, it is very productive. I justed used the second screen to do all of the steps so I could review while I was posting.

you can even drag information from one screen to another. Say you are posting and want to drag some information or a picture to your post. It is easy and quick. Practice makes perfect.
Researching is easier as well.
You can even open up two pages of the NEC or Handbook and read them like you would normally read a book.

Ergonomics - I am shot already, 29 years in the field will do that.

P.S. My wife thinks I am nuts... I have two laptops working and 4 screens. It is a good thing I got rid of my addiction for video games about 13 years ago.
 
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