Dual monitor question

[unclet]

I have WinXP installed and I have a motherboard with onboard video (of course) and one monitor attached.  Now, if I add a video card (and a second monitor) to this computer system then will I be able to set up WinXP to show half of the display image on the left side monitor and the other half of the display on the right side monitor?

I am thinking of adding dual monitor support to my jukebox software, since I believe I finally convinced my wife into allowing me to build a jukebox cabinet (or something...) for the house.  I would like to have the videos playing on one of the monitors while the song selection screen is on the other monitor.

What I planned on doing is displaying the video portion outside of the first monitor display boundry, this way the second monitor will pick the video being displayed on it's monitor, thus allowing the second monitor to show the video only while the first monitor has my current jukebox application displayed properly.

[mccoy178]

Barcrests' Freebox has that ability.  And it's free!

[Flip_Willie]

 EDIT.  "Sorry, I was wrong."  :•)

   Are you saying you want to simultaneously run two video cards?  (The On board video card, and an additional).  If that is what you mean, then no, you can't. 

   You can only run one video card at a time.  This means you would have to disable on board video before you could add another video card.

   If you want to run two monitors, then you need to have a video card that has a VGA output and a DVI output.  Then you would have to connect one monitor to the VGA and the other to the DVI by using a converter. (The converter usually comes with the video card.)  Then you can set windows to make it split the screen horizontally.  There are other ways to run two monitors, but this is the most direct method.

   I hope that I understood you correctly.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[unclet]

mccoy178:
I am not looking for jukebox software since I already have my own I created.   I simply wanted some advice on dual monitor usage since this is new to me.

Flip_Willie:
Some more questions:

1) Are you saying that all video cards having DVI and VGA output actually stream output via the DVI and VGA ports all the time.   I would think only one port would be active at a time for output, but then again, I really know nothing about this   

2) If I go into WinXP (My Computer/Control Panel/ Display/Settings) then I can see dual monitor stuff.   How would I go about using this setup once I have a new video card installed?

3) How would you disable the onboard video card after I connect a new video card? 

4) Which video card would you recommend to run music videos for a jukebox (ie: 32 Meg, 64Meg, etc...)?  Do not want to buy top of the line, but would like something which makes the videos look nice of course.

5) Instead of making the video card "split the screen" of one monitor's display to fill two monitors, would it be possible to have the first monitor keep displaying the same current image (ie: display region) and have the second monitor display an image which is currently off the screen somewhere?
 
(EDIT)
I found this video card (Radeon 7000 - most likely 32Meg) in my extra hardware pile.   Seems like it has S-Video, DVI and VGA output.   Unfortunately I do not have a DVI connector.   Will you please explain what type of convertor I need?  Is it a DVI to VGA convertor so I can connect a VGA monitor to it ..... possibly?
(EDIT)

[FunWithFire]

Here is the kind of adapter you would need. Something along those lines.
When you put in the new video card, it usually automatically disables the onboard video. The second monitor does not affect the first monitor's settings, it has it's own settings. So your first monitor would stay the same, you just are given an additional monitor to work with (your mouse will actually move from one to the other).

[Flip_Willie]

  (1). A video card can stream output to both the DVI and the VGA at the same time.  By using windows, you can activate both to be on simultaneously.  There are a number of different options you can use with dual monitors.  (Clone View, horizontal stretch, vertical stretch, etc. )
 
  (2). It might be different for other video cards, but generally, you go to (My Computer/Control Panel/ Display/Settings/Advanced/NameOfYourVideoCard)  Then there should be some options on configuring dual monitors.  For me, I have an Nvidea card, it won't give me the option to set up dual monitors until I actually have 2 monitors plugged in.

  (3). I have never had a mother board with on board video; however, I am sure FunWithFire is correct in that it will automatically disable when you add a new video card.  If it doesn't you can probably disable it by going into CMOS before you computer boots into windows and change on board video status to disabled.

  (4). I am not an expert on recommending video cards, but I wouldn't think that a jukebox program is going to require to much of the video card.  I would try using the video card you have first, and if it wasn't sufficient, then find a new one.

  (5). Yes, there should be an option of "Dual View". This should make the primary monitor display the normal section of the monitor, while the second monitor displays extra space, so to speak.  I believe that is what you are wanting anyway.

   Also, the converter FunWithFire mentioned is exactly what I was talking about.  It just changed the DVI connection to VGA.

   If I said anything wrong, I am sure someone will correct me.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[unclet]

Ok, I just bought a convertor and once I get it, I will play around with both monitors and see what happens ...... thanks.  Happy holidays

[AtomSmasher]

I'm not sure how well it works with onboard video, but you definately can have two video cards in your machine at the same time.  Hell, I think you can have up to 4 vid cards in there and still have them all work.  Before dual monitor support was common on a single video card, I used to run one agp video card and one pci video card so that I could have 2 monitors running.

If you do buy a card to put in it that has a dvi connection, then it should come with a dvi to vga adapter, so you shouldn't have to worry about finding one.  There are cards that have 2 vga connections, and several newer ones have 2 dvi connections, theres even a Matrox card that has 4 vga connections.  If you already have a vid card that has only a single output, put it in and try to get dual monitors working with the onboard vid, I bet it won't be a problem.

[AtomSmasher]

   Are you saying you want to simultaneously run two video cards?  (The On board video card, and an additional).  If that is what you mean, then no, you can't. 

   You can only run one video card at a time.  This means you would have to disable on board video before you could add another video card.

   If you want to run two monitors, then you need to have a video card that has a VGA output and a DVI output. 

Just to clarify my last post, you are 100% wrong in these statements.

[AtomSmasher]

2) If I go into WinXP (My Computer/Control Panel/ Display/Settings) then I can see dual monitor stuff.   How would I go about using this setup once I have a new video card installed?

I agree with most of what Flip_Willie said to your questions, except in general, the way you activate a second monitor in Win XP is go to My Computer/Control Panel/ Display/Settings,  then you will see two gray boxes marked 1 and 2.  Click on 2, then check the box towards the bottom that says "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor."  Then click OK or Apply and your second monitor shjoud be working.  If need be, you can then drag the gray boxes around to put them in the proper placement to each other.

[Flip_Willie]

Okay,

  Sorry, about that then.  I have never tried it, I assumed that you couldn't.  Thanks for telling, AtomSmasher.  I will have to try it sometime.  :•)

  However, he seems to have a separate video card that has both DVI and VGA.  Unless you just can't find an adapter, for the DVI, I would recommend using it instead of the on board.  In my personal opinion, on Board video isn't going to be as good an AGP card.

EDIT*  http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000195.htm
 
  Here's some general information on running 2 video cards.  Found it on my first search.  I suppose I should have checked before I said anything.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[AtomSmasher]

Okay,

  Sorry, about that then.  I have never tried it, I assumed that you couldn't.  Thanks for telling, AtomSmasher.  I will have to try it sometime.  :•)

  However, he seems to have a separate video card that has both DVI and VGA.  Unless you just can't find an adapter, for the DVI, I would recommend using it instead of the on board.  In my personal opinion, on Board video isn't going to be as good an AGP card.

EDIT*  http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000195.htm
 
  Here's some general information on running 2 video cards.  Found it on my first search.  I suppose I should have checked before I said anything.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

No worries, and now you've learned something from this thread too

I definately agree that he should use the agp card if it has two outputs, onboard video generally does suck.  As I mentioned earlier, a dvi to vga adapter should of come with the video card, but if not, they are cheap enough to pick one up.

[Xiaou2]

Unclet,

 I recomend you getting a Video card that has dual output..  such as the
ATI cards.  It doesnt even have to be the latest and greatest. 

 ATIs software allows many screen display output options... As do many other
video cards with dual output. 

 However, if you put 2 cards in that are single output cards, and there is no
software to control dual output...  then you will have a very limited experience,
as I do not believe windows has in depth dual display options for tweaking.

 

 

[unclet]

In this thread, I did mention I have a Radeon 7000 video card I found which has VGA and DVI output so I plan on using this card.   Since the card did not have any convertor which came with it, then I also purchased a convertor on Ebay yesterday.   I will play around with everything once I get it.

I believe I got the video card on Ebay and it did not come with any software.  The card has been installed and works with my current VGA monitor with no problems.   Do I need to download some type of ATI software from somewhere which will make me able to tweak the video card?   If so, where would I get software for the Radeon 7000 video card?

[BobA]

ATI is now owned by AMD.  The latest software for a Radeon 7000 is here:

http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/xp/radeon-prer300-xp.html

[unclet]

Excellent .. thanks for the link.   

After reading the software installation directions it seems I need to install the Microsoft NET Framework 1.1 as well .... good to know.

[unclet]

OK, I got my DVI to VGA converter and I plugged in my second monitor and everything works fine.  Thanks