Video cards usage

[TheManuel]

Is there any conceivable way to use two video cards on the same computer?  It does not have to be simultaneously.  Maybe having different boot modes for each?  I'm thinking ArcadeVGA plus another card for regular windows usage on a PC monitor.

Thanks

[SirPoonga]

Well, the arcadeVGA can be hooked up to both monitors.

Yes, you can have two video cards in your computer.  You can either have both displays display the same thing or have them be one big desktop.

[TheManuel]

Well, the arcadeVGA can be hooked up to both monitors.

Yes but, the arcadeVGA only outputs video at 15Hz.  I believe the PC monitor cannot handle this.

Yes, you can have two video cards in your computer.  You can either have both displays display the same thing or have them be one big desktop.

If I can come up with this kind of setup, this would be terrific.  Having an arcade cabinet by my computer desk, I can save myself from buying a dedicated computer for the cab.

Any pointers as to where I can look for info on this?

[Inaba]

It's easy... just stick a AGP card and a PCI card in your computer.  If you're using XP or 2003, it should pick it up and install the drivers fairly easily.

Although, you may have some issues with MAME and which monitor it displays on.  But getting two video cards in your computer to work is simple.

[_Iz-]

I thought one of the ArcadeVGA monitor connectors did 15khz and the other was for a regular PC monitor?

[Serpent]

You can use one of the connectors of your AVGA with your Arcade monitor or SCART TV and the other one with a PC monitor. Both displays can work at the same time. However I haven't been able to set refresh modes higher than 60hz for the pc monitor, which makes the card worthless to use for everyday use. You could use a PCI card and the AVGA, and select from the bios which card to boot. However I think the best solution is to build an indepedent computer with the AVGA and exclusivelly dedicated to MAME

[bluGill]

Which OS do you use?  I don't know about Windows, but I know with linux you can (with a lot of effort, not for the faint of heart) setup two monitors and two input devices, so you could play the cabinet while someone else uses the main monitor for something else.  

I saw a similear gadget for Windows 95 (which that was current), but nothing since.

Beware of video cards.  Matrox is known to work well in the configuration, others may or may not work well.  Do your research first to make sure your combonation will work.  (Most of today's high end cards will work, but not all, older cards are much less likely to work, or might only work in a certian combonation.)

Like I said, it is a hastle to set up.  You need USB keybaords, and you need need to be comfortable editing configuration files directly.   Basicly you set up two screens, and need to tell the computer to use keybaord 1 with screen 1...

[Santoro]

Is there any conceivable way to use two video cards on the same computer?  It does not have to be simultaneously.  Maybe having different boot modes for each?  I'm thinking ArcadeVGA plus another card for regular windows usage on a PC monitor.

Thanks

Some BIOS' let you toggle which video card to boot with (AGP/PCI) - that might be something to toy with.  You might be able to swich in the BIOS depending on your needs at the moment.

[Spaced Invader]

It's not a problem with anything from 98SE on up... Just use an AGP and PCI.

[TheManuel]

Thanks everyone for replies.  I just came back from a Holiday trip by car (very sore back).
It sounds then like it is doable.  If both cards could work simultaneously that would be a big plus for me (getting greedy now).  I'll have to play with the configuration when the time comes.
Iz:
The ArcadeVGA only outputs 15Hz so you can't really use with a PC monitor.