Dual Monitor Setup question - Saxperience

DarylVTR · 22nd November 2007, 09:06

At work i have just installed a dual monitor setup for the music department. All is working ok, but the task bar is only across 1 screen. Also if you maximise a window it just fills the primary monitor, not the secondary aswell. If you manually stretch the window or roll the mouse over it goes onto the secondary monitor no problems.

So questions are

1) Is it possible / How do I make the task bar stretch across both screens?

2) What is the correct method for setting these up?

Thanks!

betty02 · 22nd November 2007, 09:18

This any good?

http://freepctech.com/pc/001/guide_dual_monitors.shtml

If not i will write a guide, you using 3 GFX cards or a VGA splitter?

Scattle · 22nd November 2007, 09:46

Something like this?

DarylVTR · 22nd November 2007, 09:51

yup just like that but only 2 monitors not 3

Scattle · 22nd November 2007, 09:55

That guide betty put up is pretty decent, not sure myself tbh. To set them up don;t you just use Vga and/or dvi cables....

Karl · 22nd November 2007, 09:58

Never done this myself, how do you go about doing this?

betty02 · 22nd November 2007, 10:03

Its all about the normal [proeprties, so rigt click abckground, then go to properties, Settings, should then see a HUGe number 1 & 2 then just go into advance and mess about in there somewere, the guides you best bet!

Scattle · 22nd November 2007, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulless

Never done this myself, how do you go about doing this?

Graphics cards can have more than one output. the back of your computer first and see if you've got two outputs.

If not, you can buy a replacement graphics card with two outputs fairly cheaply. Older cards may have two VGA outputs, but it's common now for them to have 1 VGA and 1 DVI, or even 2 DVIs.

betty02 · 22nd November 2007, 10:09

best thing i would say is 2 GFX cards they should function automaticly to run dual and spread start bar backgrounds etc, or you can get a VGA splitter, which i dont think it's possible to do it with as it thinks it only has one monitor still its just splitting the signal!

Karl · 22nd November 2007, 10:09

Cool beans.

Off the top of their head, anyone know if the 8500 GT or 8600 GT has 2 outputs?

Karl · 22nd November 2007, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by betty02

best thing i would say is 2 GFX cards they should function automaticly to run dual and spread start bar backgrounds etc, or you can get a VGA splitter, which i dont think it's possible to do it with as it thinks it only has one monitor still its just splitting the signal!

its gotta be possible with a splitter, its done in one of the Language labs at my school, just not got round to looking at it.

betty02 · 22nd November 2007, 10:13

It is but it's alot more difficult and stuff, i think we just used some crappy freeware when we did hours, had 5 displays in the studio and stuff and they were just spread right across was pathetic tbh!

as for your other question the 8500 GT has 1 VGa and 1 DVi 1 s-video, the 8600 GT has 2 DVI and S-Video iirc?

I plan on making this when i rebuild my custom desk!!

http://www.fileslinger.com/images/Ur-Guru-Monitors.jpg

Karl · 22nd November 2007, 10:17

O_o some people take PCs far too serious,
I mean...
wow.

on the topic of 8500GT and 8600GT is it worth paying an extra£35 for the 86?

Scattle · 22nd November 2007, 10:25

Some info here on the 8500gt and 8600gt http://www.pro-clockers.com/review.php?id=216&page=4

Karl · 22nd November 2007, 10:27

"A look at the numbers would say that it will offer near GTS number performance and totally crushing the 8500GT"

Sold it to me instantly, cheers.

betty02 · 22nd November 2007, 10:30

Personally i would of aswell without reading that!! i was going to get the 8600GT but theres anothr which is about the same rpice can't remeber which has HDMI whihc i was tempted buy but then decided to get a mac book instead haha!

Karl · 22nd November 2007, 10:36

Id love a MacBook, but the gf getting one, so buying a budget Gaming PC, not for much, mainly media and a bit of Online MMORPG.

betty02 · 22nd November 2007, 10:40

was looking on ebay this morning at another one, as i dropped mine

and i saw one on there for £400 i think it was, which i was really supprised at, just didnt come with an OS, but weasy 2 aquire that, was really tempted!

Not really into gaming myself but im right in saying its just a shit hot PC?

Karl · 22nd November 2007, 10:44

Sorry to thread Hi-Jack, but what sort of performance increase am I gonna see If I opt to buy a bigger power supply.

for example as a basic spec:
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66Ghz processor
4 GB 667mhz RAM
250GB HDD.
8600GT Graphics card..

Why should I buy a 600W PSU over a 400W PSU when a 400 will work?

betty02 · 22nd November 2007, 10:53

400 will still work but it bassically split for each molex, so theres so much power going to the mobo, so much to HD , CD Drive etc etc, so the mroe power you've got the more power its going to run things and like a human the more power they got the better they are , logically speaking!