Tech – for Everyone

Tech Tips and Tricks & Advice – written in plain English.

How To Add A Second Monitor

Get A Real Boost Using “Multi-Monitor”

One of the best ways to improve your productivity is to double your desktop workspace by adding a second monitor to your computer. Using multiple monitors makes many computing tasks easier by allowing you to keep more windows visible. And, it’s “kewel” too.

There are many ways to add a second monitor to your PC.
* Laptops [typically] have a graphics port, allowing you to use the screen and a monitor. dongle
* Most graphics cards have two ports (often, one is a VGA and the other is a DVI, so you may need an adaptor). If yours doesn’t, you can buy a “dongle” and ‘split’ the signal– as shown.
* You can add a graphics card to your machine. This is a little more advanced but quite do-able. I posted a tutorial on adding “expansion cards”, but it was on adding a Firewire card. No matter. The methodology is the same. See, Add Firewire 800 To Your PC– Fast Video Transfer

Tip of the day: Plug in a second monitor and turn on Dualview

1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.

Desktop Options menu with Properties selected

2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.

3. Click the Display list and select your external monitor. If you do not see multiple monitors listed, your computer hardware may not support Dualview. Contact your computer manufacturer for more information.

Display list on the Settings tab in Display Properties dialog box

4. Select the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor check box.

Settings tab with Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor check box selected

5. Click Identify. Windows XP displays large numbers to identify your monitors. Drag and drop the monitor icons to match the physical arrangement of your monitors.

Settings tab with example of how to drag and drop the monitor icons

6. Click OK.

Settings tab in Display Properties dialog box with OK button selected

With Dualview enabled, you can drag windows between monitors as if the two monitors are connected. When you maximize a window, it will expand to fill the current monitor.

Today’s free link: Judge orders Microsoft to stop selling Word

Copyright 2007-9 © Tech Paul. All rights reserved.jaanix post to jaanix

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August 13, 2009 Posted by | advice, computers, hardware, how to | , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments