Operate 2 monitor to display different things using only 1 CPU

[zeafido12]

I'm thinking to do something as above, I'm not sure if its workable and how to do it...
what I want is,

- I use 1 CPU, 1 mouse and 1 keyboard for 2 monitors
- I can get the 2 monitors to display different things, eg. monitor A display a bar chart, and monitor B display a video at the same time with good performance.
- When switching between monitors, it won't affect the current thing being display on the monitors.

Anyone has the above experience or have tried something like this before, would appreciate if u could with us.

 

[Hessakia]

Ya, this is easily done

dual displays are supported natively in Win98/ME/XP/2000
all you have to do is have a video card with dual heads on it, or just put 2 video cards in your system.

hook a monitor up to each, and boot the computer--when windows starts, it will ask for drivers for the video card--point windows in the right direction for the drivers

then go to your display properties, then to settings and right click on monitor #2, and pick "attached" and you should be all set to run the aforementioned dual display

Hess.

 

[zeafido12]

Thanks... so I can get the two monitors to display different things at the same time by getting a dual heads video card. Any recommendation on a standard performance dual head video card? brands? etc...

Another things, what are standard specs needed on my CPU in order to support the dual monitors system?

Thanks ya!!!

 

[zeafido12]

Oppss.... left something out....

may I know how do switch from one monitor to another??

Thanks.....

 

[edblor]

If you have 2 video cards physically installed in your system (one AGP, one PCI), assuming Windows recognizes both, and all the required drivers are installed....

In your Desktop properties, you just confirm to "Extend Desktop to this Monitor"

That will enable both monitors. You can drag things to one monitor or the other, or use 3-rd party software to control what can, or cannot use either monitor. I use ATIs Hydravision as I have 2 ATI cards installed. It works well, and has some nice features also.

Now if you have only one card installed, but it supports dual output (Matrox G400, G550 or the like), it includes its' own display controlling software. Works quite well IMO (I used to own a G400).

Any other Qs...just ask?



Edblor

 

[zeafido12]

I'm thinking to go for ATI 7000, but from the images I saw for ATI 7000 series video cards, none of them comes with 2 VGA ports, how am I going to connect 2 monitors to the card?

 

[edblor]

You cannot connect 2 monitors to a 7000 series card, but you can connect a monitor, and a TV. True dual head cards are limited to Matrox G400, G450, G550 and parhelia. Some high end CAD ards offer dual VGA out, but that is all.

The newer cards support dual displays, but one usually needs to be DVI or a TV, as well as a monitor.

I have 2 single head cards installed in my system. An 8500, and a 7200. Both power CRT monitors

Edblor

 

[Hessakia]

I hate to correct you, but a lot of cards now have dual outs on them, usually in the from of a DVI to VGA converter


the best one (for a good price, bare in mind, this is my opinion) is the Radeon 8500 (or the LE if you need to go cheaper) the hot deals forum has one for like 89.99 with dual out functions


Hess

 

[edblor]

But will it allow spanning across both monitors with the dual out? Or will it simply display the same image on both monitors?