Dual Monitors - any ideas

[FastLearner]

Hi all.

I am trying to set up a second 17" monitor to go along with my laptop. I have it set up so that the monitor is connected with the video output jack of the laptop (where one would normally hook up a beamer) and the monitor is successfully showing everything that my laptop's LCD screen shows by default. The problem is that I want to extend my desktop onto the second monitor to create more space, but the changes do not seem to take effect.

When I open my display properties window, it shows two monitors numbered 1 and 2. When I click "Identify" a large Number "1" shows up on both monitors, instead of the 1 and 2 I would normally expect.

I have tried a few different drivers with no success. Can anyone help? Here are my specs:

ISSAM SMARTBOOK
Model D410s
Graphics card (integrated) SiS M650
Windows XP Home
512 MB DDR RAM

I am currently using the most-recent driver for the M650 that I found on SiS's site.

Thanks.

[FastLearner]

By the way, a description of my second monitor can be found here: http://www.belinea.com/Services_und_Support/Product_Archive/17_CRT/10_30_85.pdf

In Device Manager, I am only seeing one listing under 'Monitors' - a plug and play device. I am not sure if this is referring to the laptop's LCD display or the additional monitor?

The problem still persists. It seems like such a waste to have such a nice second monitor and not be able to use it as an extension of my desktop...

[Erik]

When you go to the display properties section do you see two monitors there? You should see two boxes (monitors) with a 1 and 2 in them. By default a laptop will just use the external display to mimic the built in one when connected. You will need to click on the second display, and choose the extend my desktop on this display option. You can then move them around as you wish, and set whichever one you want as the primary monitor.

[FastLearner]

When you go to the display properties section do you see two monitors there? You should see two boxes (monitors) with a 1 and 2 in them. By default a laptop will just use the external display to mimic the built in one when connected. You will need to click on the second display, and choose the extend my desktop on this display option. You can then move them around as you wish, and set whichever one you want as the primary monitor.

Thanks Erik. I did see two monitors there but when doing exactly what you said, the changes would not take effect. I tried this over and over again with a few different SiS drivers, but no luck. I have since solved the problem, however. Here's how:

I dug deep into some research and as it turns out, I was supposed to have the SiS graphics utility in my task tray - which I did not. This tool is necessary in order to change the display properties for my SiS M650 chipset. So today I uninstalled all video drivers and reinstalled the one that came with the computer. After that I could then access the SiS snap-in.

As it turns out one must set the SiS graphics card option to "multiple monitors" or the Windows Settings changes will be denied. This is why I was seeing a big "1" on both monitors (the second monitor was acting only as a mirror to the first and Windows was denied permissions to change it).

I am now up and running... Thank God!

Say, now that I have the two monitors, it seems a little more confusing getting everything where I want it. Is there a way to make certain applications always open on a certain monitor, or even show the task bar on both monitors?

Thanks again for the help...

FL

[Erik]

Depends on your graphics adapter, but not natively in Windows. Some graphics adapters designed for multiple screens support those features, and configring them would need to be reaserched on your particular adapter. I have never used that one, just nightmares of setting up six screens with Nvidia Quadro cards. :D :cool: