[RESOLVED] XP Home Dual Montiors

[Advenger]

When I go to my desktop and right click- Properties- Settings there is no grayed-out montior or any other opition to extend my windows onto this monitor. I am trying to hook up two montiors and there is nothing there like my owner's manual is telling me. Now do I have to hook up the montiors first for that opition to be there or am I missing a file or something? Is there a box that needs checked somewhere in the advanced settings? Do I need to find a file on one of the disc's that Dell sent with the computer? Everyone I talk to is telling me to click on the second monitor and it should work. They say that XP has that built in, but I can't find it. Could anybody help me with a fix for this? If I do need to find the file what disc would it be on? I have - DRIVERS AND UTILITIES,- APPLICATION and a backup copy I made of XP. I can't find the origenal XP disc with product key # on it but I think I can get a hold of one, would it work? Thanks, Advenger

[Midknyte]

Now do I have to hook up the montiors first for that opition to be there

Yes, you need to connect both monitors first. Windows won't let you choose a device it doesn't see.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307873

[Advenger]

Thank You. I'm glad I don't have to find a file.

[HAN]

In addition to what is mentioned above...

As you can see from the link already listed, XP does indeed support dual monitors. But your video card must also be able to. If you have 2 video connections available on the back of the PC, then you should be able to pull this off. BTW, always make video connections with the monitor(s) and PC turned off.

If after you have things hooked up, it still doesn't work, you may need to upgrade your video card's driver (to a version newer than what came with your PC.) You would need to find out what brand and model your card is and manually go to the manufacturer's website to download it. (Or you can go to My Computer, right click it and go down to Properties. Then choose the Hardware Tab and click on Device Manager. Next find your Display Adapters. Click the plus sign and then double left click the adapter name. The Driver tab will show what version of driver you have and will also show a box that you can click to upgrade the driver automatically.)

[Advenger]

Thank You. I am getting a new video card today that has dual VGA heads. I will be installing this tonight and will post back. Again, Thank You. Advenger

[Advenger]

Sweet! I like this. Thank You All ! Is there a free program to help manage them and have more fun with ease. Thanks, Advenger

[dneilson]

All you will need to manage them will be found under Display Settings.

[SuperSparks]

I've used dual monitors for around 8 years, and in all that time I've never found any need for anything other than what's built into Windows. The only minor irritation that you'll find is that some apps will always insist on opening in the primary monitor, but there isn't much you can do about it, so you just have to live with it. The vast majority are well behaved though.

[dneilson]

I ran dual monitors for a few years and have been running three monitors for about 6 years and the display settings have always done it for me. As SuperSparks says there is that one minor irritation on opening some programs but it's not that often and you just simply move it over. You're gonna love it.

[Midknyte]

I use Ultramon, but it's not free. I can kick windows back and forth without minimizing, set different wallpaper, screensavers, etc.

if you want a freebie,you can try displayfusion.
http://www.binaryfortress.com/displayfusion/

[Advenger]

Thank You, I will try it today and post back. Thanks, Advenger