So how do I do this?

[TheRundownRabbit]

So, basically I have an extra monitor and just recently found its cords and junk. I was talking to my friend and he said I should hook both monitors to my computer.....I have no idea how to do that. Can anyone tell me how to do this or if I need any software or something, because when it comes to computers, Im not really the sharpest tool in the shed.

 

[mikecoulter]

Where your current monitor is plugged in, are there more ports available to plug into?

 

[Fenring]

If your card supports it, the Win 7 default software will take care of it once you plug it in. If you want added functionality on the second monitor, I could point you in the direction of some apps.

 

[loc978]

This depends heavily on what video card you've got...

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

Where your current monitor is plugged in, are there more ports available to plug into?

It has one, but I can put in a new video card that allows for an analog hookup (which I have, duh) and a Digital hookup (which is the cord I recently found)

 

[mikecoulter]

Where your current monitor is plugged in, are there more ports available to plug into?

It has one, but I can put in a new video card that allows for an analog hookup (which I have, duh) and a Digital hookup (which is the cord I recently found)

Hmm, I'm not sure then. Maybe if you posted a picture of the cards and the cables?

 

[Floppertje]

I have a second monitor hooked up, using this cable
http://store.apple.com/nl/product/M9320G/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTE2Mjc1MjQ

but I use an Imac and I imagine PC's need a different one.

 

[Urgh76]

Wait.. You can do that?!

How would the computer distingush from which one you're controlling though?

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

Where your current monitor is plugged in, are there more ports available to plug into?

It has one, but I can put in a new video card that allows for an analog hookup (which I have, duh) and a Digital hookup (which is the cord I recently found)

Hmm, I'm not sure then. Maybe if you posted a picture of the cards and the cables?

Spoiler

Cord I found (Digital DVI Single-Link)

Spoiler

Graphics card salvaged from other computer

Spoiler

Initial plug-ins built into my computer

 

[BENZOOKA]

So it sounds like you've got a VGA (analog. Sometimes called d-sub) and a DVI (digital) port in your video card.

<spoiler=VGA>
http://www.jestineyong.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/vga2.jpg

<spoiler=DVI>
http://www.lcjapan.com/hardware/dvi_connector.jpg


Insert monitors to both ports.

Depending on if you have a GeForce/Radeon: take a close look at either nVidia Control Panel or Ati's similar software (at least used to be Catalyst).

You'll find it somewhere in the basic settings to choose using multiple displays and how you like to set them up.

It's not that difficult.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

So it sounds like you've got a VGA (analog. Sometimes called d-sub) and a DVI (digital) port in your video card.

<spoiler=VGA>
http://www.jestineyong.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/vga2.jpg

<spoiler=DVI>
http://www.lcjapan.com/hardware/dvi_connector.jpg


Insert monitors to both ports.

Depending on if you have a GeForce/Radeon: take a close look at either nVidia Control Panel or Ati's similar software (at least used to be Catalyst).

You'll find it somewhere in the basic settings to choose using multiple displays and how you like to set them up.

It's not that difficult.

I do have a VGA and DVI (single link, digital), but the graphics card I plan on using was salvaged from an HP Media computer (my parents didnt need it because the motherboard was totally fried) I know its probably a lot better than the video card built into my computer (it doesnt have a DVI like the graphics card)
U can see a pic of what I got on my post right above yours

 

[BENZOOKA]

-Snipped around-

Cord I found (Digital DVI Single-Link)

Spoiler

You can't link pictures from your Gmail. None of us has got access to those files, except you. If you want to post and link pictures, you should upload them in Photobucket or a similar image uploading site and then use those URL's (addresses) to post images here.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

-Snipped around-

Cord I found (Digital DVI Single-Link)

Spoiler

You can't link pictures from your Gmail. None of us has got access to those files, except you. If you want to post and link pictures, you should upload them in Photobucket or a similar image uploading site and then use those URL's (addresses) to post images here.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that :/

Initial built in card
http://oi56.tinypic.com/2z8uec3.jpg

Salvaged graphics card
http://oi55.tinypic.com/oir4vn.jpg

DVI D Single cord
http://oi54.tinypic.com/210m4hj.jpg

How bout now?

 

[Retardinator]

Actually, once you plug them both in, there should be an option in the regular Desktop>right click>properties>settings menu to use them both. There was no need to poke around Catalyst/nVidia menus when I tried it.
For those wondering how this works, once you cross the right edge of the first monitor, the cursor moves to the second monitor. Really helpful when mapping or doing similar multitask-y stuff.

As for the cords, just try and plug them in. It's not like you can make a mistake, aside from keyboard and mouse, possibly. Even that takes a significant amount of force.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

Actually, once you plug them both in, there should be an option in the regular Desktop>right click>properties>settings menu to use them both. There was no need to poke around Catalyst/nVidia menus when I tried it.
For those wondering how this works, once you cross the right edge of the first monitor, the cursor moves to the second monitor. Really helpful when mapping or doing similar multitask-y stuff.

Cool! More room for Rainmeter

 

[Numachuka]

Wait.. You can do that?!

How would the computer distingush from which one you're controlling though?

It basically treats it as one screen.

 

[BENZOOKA]

-Snipped around-

Cord I found (Digital DVI Single-Link)

Spoiler

You can't link pictures from your Gmail. None of us has got access to those files, except you. If you want to post and link pictures, you should upload them in Photobucket or a similar image uploading site and then use those URL's (addresses) to post images here.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that :/

Initial built in card
http://oi56.tinypic.com/2z8uec3.jpg

Salvaged graphics card
http://oi55.tinypic.com/oir4vn.jpg

DVI D Single cord
http://oi54.tinypic.com/210m4hj.jpg

How bout now?

I googled some info off the graphics card and it seems it's an ASUS RV370LE (X300).
So it's an ATi. You should find drivers from here [http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx]
Desktop
X series
radeon X3xx
choose your OS

I'm not 100% sure about the model, but you should try that.

You might get it work without Catalyst, but you must have drivers if you're planning to do something with it. And it sounds like you don't have drivers yet.

 

[Aur0ra145]

Turn off computer, plug in new monitor, restart computer. Every OS since XP will automatically find it and set it up.

Then just go into properties and set which you would like to use as your primary desktop.

It's fairly simple. Though I will say that once you goto two monitors, you will never be able to go back to a single monitor. Ever.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

Turn off computer, plug in new monitor, restart computer. Every OS since XP will automatically find it and set it up.

Then just go into properties and set which you would like to use as your primary desktop.

It's fairly simple. Though I will say that once you goto two monitors, you will never be able to go back to a single monitor. Ever.

Alright, I right clicked the screen, went to properties, settings, but nothing there mentions adding a second monitor,I plugged in the monitor, the computer didnt say anything, and the other monitor shows an exact image of my primary. Its one resolution setting below what it should be but when I apply the proper res setting, the second monitor goes blank, HELP ME!

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

Actually, once you plug them both in, there should be an option in the regular Desktop>right click>properties>settings menu to use them both. There was no need to poke around Catalyst/nVidia menus when I tried it.
For those wondering how this works, once you cross the right edge of the first monitor, the cursor moves to the second monitor. Really helpful when mapping or doing similar multitask-y stuff.

As for the cords, just try and plug them in. It's not like you can make a mistake, aside from keyboard and mouse, possibly. Even that takes a significant amount of force.

Same thing as above, I right clicked the screen, went to properties, settings, but nothing there mentions adding a second monitor