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Dual monitor set up.

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by Nick Wright, 2012/12/27.

  1. 2012/12/27
    Nick Wright

    Nick Wright Inactive Thread Starter

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    Could somebody explain to a relative Noob (me) how a dual monitor system is set up?
    I mean Exactly what do I need to convert a simple system with on motherboard graphics to two monitors (ideally 1 touchscreen / 1 "Normal" screen) -in terms of hardware and configuring the system?
    TIA.
    (I`m getting the Dell S2340T as my primary monitor-due in new year :)
     
    Last edited: 2012/12/27
    Nick Wright,
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  2. 2012/12/27
    dnmacleod

    dnmacleod Well-Known Member

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    You will need a graphics card that has 2 outputs. Some motherboards with onboard graphics have dual outputs these days. From there, you connect a monitor to each output and on you go. You'll need to specify which monitor will be the main one but the easy way is simply to watch which monitor has the start button and position that one on the left. You set up the resolution in the usual way.

    Simple really.
     
    dnmacleod,
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  4. 2012/12/27
    Nick Wright

    Nick Wright Inactive Thread Starter

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    my motherboard has ordinary D-connector AND a HDMI port but I`m guessing I will still need a new card?
    Any Recommendations? - I`m not a Gamer so it doesn`t have to be super-duper card... and is the Dell a good choice of touchscreen? - I chose it because it was advertised as Windows 8 Compliant and a Capacitive screen rather than optical.
    Sorry if I`m asking a lot of questions but I just want to get it right first time..

    Thanks for the advice!

    Edit:- Oh yeah and my existing Monitors are both D plug fittings (two systems not dual) will a graphics card have both types of output? (HDMI/D-connector)
     
    Last edited: 2012/12/28
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  5. 2012/12/28
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    What's the brand and model number of your motherboard?
     
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  6. 2012/12/28
    Nick Wright

    Nick Wright Inactive Thread Starter

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    The System I`m upgrading is the Lenovo 2561-H520S
    The Motherboard is a "ECS H61 MATX 1.0 95W MB @RTL8111F_A662(R). Lenovo part no:-11200369 "
    I have two systems - an HP Pavllion windows 7 system I use for My music and the Lenovo is a new purchase running Windows 8 Pro and I intend it to be my Main Computer. Its just running through a Samsung monitor at present (until the touchscreen arrives).But I`d like to run two monitors from it, the touchscreen and the Samsung.
     
    Last edited: 2012/12/28
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  7. 2012/12/28
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    The Lenovo 2561-H520S has an Integrated Intel HD Graphics 2000 GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) with one VGA and one HDMI connector. It also only has a 180 Watt PSU (Power Supply Unit). So, the first thing I'd probably try is connecting one monitor to the VGA, another to the HDMI and then see if Windows recongizes both. If it does, you're done. Simply setup Windows to stretch, mirror, or whichever way you want your Desktop to be displayed..

    If it doesn't work, I'm not sure that low wattage PSU will be able to handle much more load than it's already handling. With that in mind, you might consider using a USB Video Adapter.

    Of course you could also chance adding a video card and then if necessary, upgrade to a PSU that can handle the extra load.
     
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  8. 2012/12/28
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Your current setup won't work.
    Even if your mobo supports dual monitor.
    Your mobo has VGA and HDMI ports and you have two VGA monitors.
    You can surely connect one monitor (VGA to VGA) but then to connect HDMI (digital) to VGA (analog) you'd need fairly expensive converter like this one: http://sewelldirect.com/articles/vga-to-hdmi.aspx

    Your options are to either get another monitor with HDMI port (if your mobo supports dual monitor) or to get new video card with VGA and DVI-I port (or two DVI-I ports).
    Then you can use inexpensive DVI to VGA converter.
    You have to make sure it's DVI-I port.
    DVI-I supports both digital and analog signals.
    DVI-D supports only digital signal and you can't convert it to VGA.
    DVI-A supports only analog signal and you can connect it to VGA but if you want to buy different monitor in the future you'll waste your money.

    I doubt you'll find video cards with two VGA ports.
     
    broni,
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  9. 2012/12/28
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    You can't connect HDMI to VGA as I explained above.
     
    broni,
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  10. 2012/12/28
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    SpywareDr,
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  11. 2012/12/28
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Those cable will NOT work.
    http://www.amazon.com/A-Sonic-HDMI-HD15-Male-Cable/dp/B001OLCHJ6
    Also: http://sewelldirect.com/articles/vga-to-hdmi.aspx
     
    broni,
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  12. 2012/12/28
    Nick Wright

    Nick Wright Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi and thank you for answering
    Maybe I should stick with one monitor?
    Just to clarify something though,-I dont intend using the two samsung monitors,-just one.
    AND the Dell touchscreen monitor.
    & The Dell has HDMI ports.


    Edit:- I found this:- http://www.techradar.com/news/compu...e-complete-guide-to-multiple-monitors-1074313

    it seems all I need is a new graphics card. There is one PCI express X 16 adapter slot available and the manual for the PC mentions that some models support graphics cards so I believe I am sorted.
     
    Last edited: 2012/12/28
    Nick Wright,
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  13. 2012/12/28
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    It won't for the reasons I mentioned.

    It'll be slow and whatever you spend on that adapter you can buy very decent video card.
     
    broni,
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  14. 2012/12/28
    Nick Wright

    Nick Wright Inactive Thread Starter

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    Broni ,Like I said - I won`t be using two VGA monitors, -I have a VGA monitor and am waiting for delivery of the Dell which has HDMI.
    The other VGA monitor is on a different system.
     
    Last edited: 2012/12/28
    Nick Wright,
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  15. 2012/12/28
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Oh, that should work :)
     
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  16. 2012/12/30
    Nick Wright

    Nick Wright Inactive Thread Starter

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    @SpywareDr, - the Power Supply is a 240W PSU so should be able to handle a graphics card..
     
    Last edited: 2012/12/30
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  17. 2012/12/30
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    SpywareDr,
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  18. 2012/12/30
    dnmacleod

    dnmacleod Well-Known Member

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    240W is pretty low output Nick. Don't be too surprised if your PSU needs upgrading.

    The golden rule to remember with low priced/spec big brand computers like Lenovo, Dell etc is that these companies are expert at producing computers that perform a function - just... They are almost invariably built with price in mind and that means everything is trimmed to the bone - MOBO, PSU, Processor the lot. There is rarely very much slack in any of the components for expansion or upgrade. Its been said so often that there's no such thing as a freebie and cheap computers are no exception.
     
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  19. 2012/12/30
    Nick Wright

    Nick Wright Inactive Thread Starter

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    [​IMG]

    I`d probably just get away with it, but ideally yes it needs uprating. thing is - if I swap the PSU it would void my warranty. :-(

    (Thanks for the tool Spyware Dr its a useful utility..)
     
    Last edited: 2012/12/30
    Nick Wright,
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  20. 2012/12/30
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    You're welcome.
     
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