How to Hook Up Dual Desktop Monitors?
Hooking Up a Second Monitor is an Easy Process
What You Need
An extra video card or video card with dual monitor outputs
Install the Video Card
Install the video card, following the manufacturer's suggestions. This will include physically installing the video card in your computer and installing the drivers and other software provided with the video card.
Once the second video card is installed (or the dual monitor video card is installed) plug in your second monitor and restart your computer. Occasionally, once the computer restarts, your dual monitor setup will already be working. In that case, the following steps aren't needed.
Once the computer has restarted, right-click on an empty spot on your desktop and select "Properties." If using Windows 7, select "Screen Resolution."
You will see two screen icons at the top of the window that opens up. One should be grayed out. Click on the grayed out icon and then select "Enable this display." Windows 7 users select "Extend these Displays," found in the drop-down box under "Multiple displays."
Troubleshooting
If you find that you are not able to enable multiple displays, you may need to disable the onboard display adapter on your motherboard. This can be accomplished by entering the system BIOS during bootup. See your computer manufacturer's manual to learn how to do this as it varies from computer to computer.
Tips
When using dual monitors, keep in mind that you have control over the resolution and orientation (portrait or landscape) of each monitor. The typical user will want the resolution on each monitor to be the same or similar. However, more advanced users may find a need for different resolutions; this especially applies to graphic artists and video editors. Adjusting the resolution can be achieved by right-clicking an empty spot in a desktop and selecting "Properties" or "Screen Resolution" and adjusting the settings under "Resolution" on each individual monitor. The monitor icons at the top of the window can be clicked on to switch back and forth between the properties for each monitor.
Published by Nik Minor
Nik is a freelance writer, editor, law student, and small business owner. View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentIf you want to get highest result from your multi-monitor configuration, you need to use the additional software for that.
My personal recommendation is Actual Multiple Monitors (http://www.actualtools.com/multiplemonitors/). It is a most powerful utility among others and it works fine under Windows 7.
Actual Multiple Monitors adds taskbar to second display and the second taskbar has all features of main taskbar like Start button and tray area with notification icons. Even more, it has Pin to Taskbar feature of Windows 7.
Actual Multiple Monitors also has new window controls specially designed for a work with multiple monitors: additional button in each window's title bar to move a window instantly to any monitor or maximize it to entire desktop.
Huh ... I never thought about that ... I would love this kind of setup!
very nicely done
Good details. It seems weird dragging a window across to another monitor, but it really is handy to have 2 or even 3 monitors.
Nicely done, I have two separate harddrives and only one monitor (with a switch to toggle in between!) cheers :)
great tips! i see you're rocking the millionaire mug ;-) Kudos!