Neat trick for the computer-illiterate: Double monitors, double the fun.

[Reives]

Hope this is the right board.

Now, this may very well be quite the common knowledge (and the steps to do it was rather self explanatory after I discovered the button's existence), but if one nublet (me) never knew about it until now, there must exist some others who could benefit from this as "news" as well.  http://www.quintessence-tbv.com/forum/S ... nsmile.gif[/img] So to those unsuspecting nerd undergrads, here's your chance to take one step closer toward your diploma.


If you are using a laptop and have an extra monitor lying around somewhere, or if you are using a desk top with more than one monitor plugs, then you can use two monitors at once with a few simple configurations. That doesn't mean that the two monitors would show the same screen uselessly, but rather the other would be an "extension" of your screen. For example, you'll be able to drag a window to the other monitor and work from there (and if you full screen that window in the other monitor, for example, it fills up that single monitor neatly). Accessing the second monitor is as easy as moving your mouse past the border of one screen, and it'll appear on the next screen as if they are physically connected (which I found to be pretty amusing to see for some reason).

This is extremely convenient for many things. For example, if you are working on something that you need to have a reference out at the same time, to avoid the hassle of constantly alt+tabbing or sharing a small screen. RM window and forum browser open at the same time, each taking one full screen? Indeed. And instead of having to constantly sort between millions of MSN/AIM chat windows, how would you like to have every one of them displayed at once on your second screen? Multi-tasking has never been easier. And hell, if nothing else, it just makes you feel like a pro. :p

To enable the feature, simply connect the monitor, and right-click your desktop -> Properties (or just go to Display from control panel). Go to Settings, and click on "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor" (if you can't, click "2" on the panel with screens named 1 and 2 first). Voila.

Computer nubs liberate!

 

[Prexus]

wow.. *golfclap* people have been doing this for years, with even 3 monitors.

 

[arcthemonkey]

I used to use two monitors, but I was having almost constant problems with focus, particularly in games. Some games, if I moused over the the side of the screen, my cursor would jump out onto the desktop! What the hell! No so good for FPS games. It also seemed like, whenever there was some element of some software I actually wanted to put on the other screen, it wouldn't go, while other programs seemed to attempt to take up as much space across both as possible.

I didn't want to deal with it anymore, so I just got a widescreen monitor and have been happy ever since. Maybe if I get a second monitor I'll try it again...

 

[Tohsaka]

Just get a bigger monitor with a stronger graphics card? Really, most televisions with HDMI are usable as monitors. (Yes, those huge monsters)

 

[Jking]

all tvs work as monitors just require some special cord(i do it on 52" in my room.....)

 

[___]

It's called an s-video cable, it's a little round cable that looks a lot like a PS/2 (based on the same standard).  You will also need RCA cables or provide your own speakers as s-video transfers video only.  Not *all* tvs work this way, but any that have s-video ports do.  Newer video cards with TV output may also have component or HDMI ports, which work only on HDTVs.

 

[Despain]

Yeah I've been using dual monitors for about two years now (my second monitor is pretty much just used for irc which is really fucking convenient) and it's IMPOSSIBLE to go back.

 

[bayonet]

i can't live without my second monitor. its perfect for winamp google or media player classic playing anything. It does annoy me abit with some fullscreen games, so i try and run everything window mode, but even then its something i can live with.

 

[Reives]

wow.. *golfclap* people have been doing this for years, with even 3 monitors.

ur so smart

Now, this may very well be quite the common knowledge (and the steps to do it was rather self explanatory after I discovered the button's existence), but if one nublet (me) never knew about it until now, there must exist some others who could benefit from this as "news" as well.

Neat trick for the computer-illiterate

For the computer illiterates, not just the illiterates, thank you.


Sorry, couldn't resist. :p But aye, no need to be so crabby when your point was already acknowledged.
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Speaking of the "impossible to go back" - God damn, a new guy came at work and he took away one of my monitors.

 

[tai]

Just curious - if you have two PCI-Express slots in your system, and you stick in two cards that each have dual-DVI, is it possible to have four active monitors?

 

[___]

@tai:  yep!  I have a friend who day trades using that setup so he can have several charts up at once on seperate monitors.