How do I set up a system with more than one screen?

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My work-furnished computer is a big Dell M70 laptop (with XP Pro) and we also have nice 21 inch or so Dell flat panels....I discovered this multi-monitor business shortly after we got them and love it. I put what I'm actually working on on the flat panel and reference material (or Firefox :-) ) on the laptop's own screen off to the right.

However I will point out that if you move back and forth between multiple setups - for example sometimes running without the second display (as I do at home), or plugging into a projector that has different (usually lesser) resolution than your external monitor then sooner or later Windows is going to get confused and you'll wind up redoing the display settings.

On a related note, I was pleasantly surprised that my new $400 netbook (Acer AspireOne with 6-cell battery and XP) can and does work just fine in a multi-monitor setup and can drive quite a high-resolution external display via its external VGA connector.

The magic obscure key combo for it is Fn-F5, by the way. On the Dell it's Fn-F4. So - yes, confusing. And yes, it does take a bit of time for each to take effect on either machine.

Another aspect of this relates to the screen characteristics (desktop/properties/settings/advanced/Color Management). This is where you set the color properties for your monitor. But what happens if you are running two different monitors? Can you give each monitor its own color profile?

A way to do this that you did not identify is to use an A/B VGA switch. I have done this and it works quite well. The only disadvantage is that one screen becomes blank.

I found this article to be very helpful in setting dual displays, and video cards etc. It certainly will be very useful when I get the right cables.

My biggest issue when it comes to adding anything to my main desktop, are the cables. What cables go where, what do they look like, and what are their function. I'm sure there are a lot of people who have the same problems. As we add something, cables do not always come with the card or hardware. Also, not all sales people know what all the cables are. I have a Dell Dimension4700, which can be used as an intranet server. I have another computer with monitor, that I want to use for storage but I don't have a clue what cables I need to connect the two computers together. If you don't have time to answer this question in the Newsletter, how would I find this information on the Internet? The tags to use.

Thanks

Thanks for the instructions -very helpful,íf not for me,then for many others who are interested in a dual (or multiple) monitor setup.
I've been using this for the last 7 years though ;)
You may want to check out DisplayFusion (free) http://www.binaryfortress.com/displayfusion/
for additional features using multimon displays.

Another way to get a multi-monitor setup is with a DualHead2Go from Matrox. This is a small box that connects to your computer's video output (VGA or DVI) and lets you hook up two monitors without having to open the case. It works with laptops and desktop computers, PC and Mac. Unlike the EVGA UV Plus mentioned above, it uses your own system's graphics capabilities, so you get great performance across all monitors, including 3D and video. More info at (www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/).

At work I have a Dell desktop which has both DVI and VGA outputs. I have a two Dell 19" flat screens connected, one to each output.

Be warned! Once you have used additional screens, there just ain't no going back! I use a mere two although I could sometimes do with more and when I have to revert to a laptop, I don`t know what's hit me! Withdrawal symptoms set in. I also use a free multi-monitor task bar from http://www.mediachance.com/
and this, coupled with Microsoft`s virtual desktop power toy just about covers all bases.

Here's my experience:
http://www.geocities.com/terryhollett2003/dual.html

I currently DO NOT have dual monitors setup. My sister's monitor crapped out and I ended up giving one of mine to her. I also removed the second video card - I didn't want the drag of extra drivers for something not being used.

I also want to point out, as in my case that I had to go into the BIOS and change the boot up order of the video devices.

I've been using dual monitors for about two years. Don't think I will ever be able to settle for just one again. The only problem I've encountered (and it is a small one) is that I can't figure out how to use any screen savers that are outside of the few boring ones that Windows allows AND when I got my second monitor, even that list became shorter. Anything I download simply will not show up on the list so I can switch from ho-hum Starfield.

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