What to use second monitor for?

[BimmerGuy330]

I recently purchased a Radeon 9500Pro, and it has a DVI-out along with the VGA-out. I have an extra monitor lying around, and I am thinking about hooking it up in addition to the monitor I'm using now, using the DVI->VGA converter that came with the card. This is possible, right?

Also, I haven't really thought about what I would use the second monitor for. Is it possible to like be playing a game on the main screen (such as Diablo 2), and have AIM open on the other screen? I have never had a dual monitor system before, so I'm unsure how this all works.

What uses have you guys found for a second monitor? I'm sure it would come in handy when I'm typing up reports for school, so I can reference pages more easily. What else can I do?

 

[wetcat007]

Basically what u generally do is set it up so it makes ur display twice as wide, and yes you will be able to have an different IE window open in either, or however u want it. It's basically the equivilent to doubling the width of your monitor. It depends on the game on how it will work with it. Many games u might need to disable the second display and some games like flight simulators in particular u can setup to span accross multiple monitors.

-Mark

 

[EeyoreX]

I use my second monitor for things like SysMetrix, Trillian, Sonique. Basically things that run almost 24/7 but don't need my full attention. You can play games and have your AIM window open, with a caveat. If someone sends you a message while you are playing the game, the message window will come into focus and minimize your game. No warning will be given. Most games can only be run on the primary display, not the secondary and not both. Some will allow this though. Mainly flight sims and others with hacks. There is no need to disable the second dislpay when playing a game, the game will simply open on the primary display and the second will continue displaying the desktop. Not the full desktop, just the portion extended to that display normally.

\Dan

 

[BimmerGuy330]

Alright, so I got it all hooked up. It's awesome! Only problem is I had to put the second monitor to the left of the first one.....that really plays tricks with my mind when I go from one to the other. Anyways, just testing it out, and seeing how everything works.

So far I'm just running AIM on it, and also my ASUS temp monitor thing.

Thanks for teh suggestions so far, and more would be helpful!

 

[TheInvincibleMustard]

Originally posted by: BimmerGuy330
Alright, so I got it all hooked up. It's awesome! Only problem is I had to put the second monitor to the left of the first one.....that really plays tricks with my mind when I go from one to the other. Anyways, just testing it out, and seeing how everything works.

Wow ... you've got a Pac-Man setup going on there! Funky stuff ... 🙂

So far I'm just running AIM on it, and also my ASUS temp monitor thing.

Thanks for teh suggestions so far, and more would be helpful!

From my experience with dual-monitor displays (which, admittedly, is somewhat limited), I've found it to be easier on the eyes and the brain if you've got two of the same-size monitors running at the same resolution, and preferably the same model, even. Of course you don't have to, it just looks sweeter, too ... 🙂

 

[BimmerGuy330]

Yeah, it would be awesome if I could have the same monitor, but right now the second display is a old 15" legacy thing; a far cry from the nice 17" I use as my primary. Oh well, maybe I'll just look around for some deals on a nice 17" to match the one I already have.

 

[Viper96720]

In windows display properties. Where it has the pic of the 2 monitors 1 and 2 make sure it matches your monitor setup. You can drag them around. Like if your primary was below your
secondary you would drag them so 2 is above 1.