Two monitors, two desktops, one video card?

[Wetling23]

I have this Radeon 8500 card and two monitors. I'd like to be able to use the monitors as independant displays with different resolutions, so I can do different things (like work on one, and watch a movie on the other). How do I do that?

Thanks.

 

[Instagib]

You need two graphics cards or a dual head graphics card to dual display.

 

[Wetling23]

Yes, I have an 8500.

I'm trying to use Hydravision. I downloaded it, and it loads at startup. When I right click on the purple 1, appropriate menu opens, but no matter what I click, nothing happens. Then after a few moments, the menu turns grey and won't go away.

 

[powerMarkymark]

I've been multi monitoring for close to two years now but with multi graphic cards. Ihave never had nor used a dual head card. So please accept this advise as my $0.02 worth.

Maybe you have to enable secondary displays with a dual head same as with multi graphic cards? Has this been done already?

Edit: I noticed in your system Rig that you have two operating systems, which one are you trying to multimonitor under? I have heard that Win 2000 is not all that great for multi monitor as WinXP is supposed to be the best for multi display support. Just a thought.

 

[Wetling23]

Oh yeah, I'm using XP.

Anyone know where I can find some hydravision tutorial or something? When I try checking "expand my Windows desktop to onto this monitor" (my secondary), it just shows the background (a blue screen).

 

[hcarlson]

that's all it is suppose to show (your background), the icons and other stuff are not displayed on the second monitor unless you use "Clone". This is for a Matrox dual-head card.

 

[HarryLui]

Have the try HELP from the ati systray?

 

[JemAFinch]

What connectors are you using and what kinds of displays?

 

[Wetling23]

Why would "extend my desktop" only show a blank backgound? That's not useful at all. When I clone to primary desktop, the "extend" box becomes unchecked.

I'm not running the systray, but I suppose I can run it.

I'm using the regular VGA port with my primary Sony Trinitron, and the DVI, w/ the adapter to plug the Compaq CRT ($400 monitor for $50 at CompUSA this week).

 

[tenoc]

Have you tried opening a window or application and dragging it
to the secondary monitor?

 

[Wetling23]

No, everything I open on monitor 1 also opens on monitor 2.

 

[Forgiven]

I have an 8500 and it is an awesome card! Right click the second monitor and go to enable. After than click the extend desktop chicklet. Turn both monitors on assuming you have the DVI/VGA adapter plugged in to the second monitor. Reboot....awesome. I think you may have to move the 1 and 2 monitors around so you go from one to the other the correct way...at that point you will figure it out. Also go to Omegacorner.com for updated drivers that are very good.

More questions or clarifications just ask...dual monitors is the bomb

 

[Forgiven]

Did you get her workin yet???

 

[Wetling23]

Yes! Thanks. I understand now that I need to move the mouse cursor to the right side of my primary screen to move back and forth.

 

[powerMarkymark]

Now that you are a multi monitor user you should get a great little program called UltraMon 2. It adds some functions for multi monitor users. Just need to do a Google search to find it.

That web site also has a forum dedicated to multi monitor users as well. Could prove useful.

 

[Wetling23]

Okay, I will.

 

[WayneTeK]

If you multi-monitor, doesn't it use up more CPU/Sys Resources? By multi-monitoring, it creates TWO images of the computer right? Meaning, it creates another "TEMP" user so that you can access your second monitor.

Let me know if this is wrong.

Also, if you multi-monitor, i'd imagine you need a pretty powerful computer to not experience problems.

dan

 

[powerMarkymark]

<< If you multi-monitor, doesn't it use up more CPU/Sys Resources? By multi-monitoring, it creates TWO images of the computer right? Meaning, it creates another "TEMP" user so that you can access your second monitor.

Let me know if this is wrong.

Also, if you multi-monitor, i'd imagine you need a pretty powerful computer to not experience problems.

dan >>



In theory I think you are right but in the scheme of things I have noticed neither a drop or increase in system resources when enabling/disabling secondary monitor(s).

 

[Wetling23]

I don't think the CPU has too much to do with (under normal use-ie not gaming). I checked my processes, and they all seem to be at normal levels. I do have a pretty nice system though.