Having dual monitors not only gives you a really cool desktop, but it can also increase productivity by up to 60%. When working with dual monitors I noticed that using my computer was much easier and faster. There are many myths about dual monitors so I am going to separate fact from fiction:
- Setting up dual monitors it hard False
- Dual monitors slow you down False
- Dual monitors are for geeks Confirmed
- Dual monitors are expensive False
- Dual monitors are hard to do False
Setup the Hardware
1. Look at the backside of your computer to see if your video card can run dual monitors. If you have a laptop, look for a single blue monitor port. Check the monitor you have. If it came with the cord you need (a cord ending in a blue connector for a laptop, or a cord ending in what you have on the back of your computer for desktops) you can proceed to the next step. If not, you will need to buy the cord that matches the ports on your machine and on the monitor. For example, if you have a DVI port, and the monitor uses a VGA port, you will need to purchase a DVI to VGA adapter. Find out what you need, and shop around a little, checking prices online and in your preferred electronics retail establishment. This is important, as this little cable will probably run you about $30.
2. Obtain the monitor you wish to add.
3. Attach the cables to your monitor and to your machine. Plug everything that has a power cord in, and turn on your computer and the monitor.
4. Tell your computer what you've done. Right click on the desktop and select Properties. On the window that pops up, select the Settings tab. Select the grayed-out screen so that a blue box sits around it. Near the bottom of the window will be a checkbox labeled Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor. This is so that you can extend your desktop onto two monitors instead of having both running the exact same thing. Check this box, and note what appears in the Screen resolution area. There is a sliding bar here. It should have defaulted to a resolution supported by your new monitor. If not, move it to a resolution the box or manual of your monitor says is supported. Click 'Apply'.
5. Be prepared for your screens to freeze up, go black, or see a message that may pop up telling you to wait. This is normal. Your computer is simply talking with the monitor, and figuring out what information it needs to send. After some period of time (could be a second, could be thirty), your new monitor should come to life, showing your desktop. Assuming everything looks in order, click 'OK'. You now have dual monitors.
Posts
I have dual monitors, great experience! :)
ReplyDeleteDual monitors can slow you down if your hardware is old or no longer supported.
You have too make sure your PC is powerful enough to handel 2 monitors
ReplyDeleteYa, So its very unlikely you might be able to run dual screens on a system from 1996. LOL
ReplyDeletemy ps is not from 2006
ReplyDeleteI like to watch videos on the extended screen. When I have that video "full screen" every time I try to do something on the primary screen, the extended screen goes to the original size. How do I fix that?
ReplyDeleteI have good news for you. I have finnally fouund a soloution to your problem, but its a little complicated.
ReplyDeleteAll you need to do is grab d.i.z.'s modified npswf32.dll file and replace the one located in C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\ or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\ folder on Windows 7 64-bit (though we recommend you backup the original file just in case). After a restart of your browser, all your Flash videos should exhibit the new behavior (i.e., you should be able to multi-task without losing full-screen playback). You can still exit full screen mode by hitting the escape key or using the Flash player's full screen button, of course.
This should work in 7, Vista and XP. I reccomend you create a restore point and back up before doing this.
A more detailed solotion is here:
http://my.opera.com/d.i.z./blog/2009/04/22/watch-fullscreen-flash-while-working-on-another-screen