Can I add a monitor for displaying stuff? Help needed

[gplracer]

I have a friend that is using a computer as a point of sale terminal. He would like to have a 22" monitor that displays slide shows and videos. This monitor would be in addition to the one he already has that is used as the point of sale terminal. Is this something that can be done using the same computer (dual monitors) or wold he have to build another computer for the one doing the slides? The computer has an Athlon 2500+ cpu in it and an AGP card with only one analog output. I figure if there is a way to do it he would need another video card as well so I need to know what a cheap option would be. Thanks!!!

 

[MegaVovaN]

nVidia 5200fx
PCI slot
~$30

 

[magreen]

:thumbsup:
Then you plug the other monitor into the PCI card, right-click on the desktop -> Display Settings and find the second monitor in the dropdown list and check "Extend my desktop onto this monitor."

 

[MegaVovaN]

One thing, what video card he has now? If he has nVidia card, proceed with 5200fx, if ATI, you need something equally low end from ATI for PCI slot - to minimize driver conflict problem.

If onboard & you do not use ATI drivers for onboard, use 5200fx.

Hell I had a $10 card from For Sale/Trade forums power 22" LCDs. Movies looked bad, but desktop was okay. 2 cards I use were TNT2 and some ancient Quadro series card.

 

[gplracer]

He has a nvidia card now. I will have to look. I am not sure which one it is. Probably something like a mx400. It is an inexpensive card for sure. Are you saying that he would not have to buy another agp card with dual outputs? He would only have to get a pci card. That would mean he would have an agp card and a pci card in the same system. Thanks again!!!

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: gplracer
He has a nvidia card now. I will have to look. I am not sure which one it is. Probably something like a mx400. It is an inexpensive card for sure. Are you saying that he would not have to buy another agp card with dual outputs? He would only have to get a pci card. That would mean he would have an agp card and a pci card in the same system. Thanks again!!!

Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying. Inexpensive PCI card for second monitor, existing AGP for primary monitor.