Set up multi-monitor configuration in Vista

One of the most interesting features in Windows Vista is that the Multiple Monitor, like its name suggests, allows you to use multiple screens to display the desktop.

Network Administration - Have you ever had the need to display multiple applications simultaneously in separate screens? In this article we will show you how to use the Multiple Monitor feature in Windows Vista so you can use up to 10 screens at the same time.

One of the most interesting features in Windows Vista is that the Multiple Monitor , like its name suggests, allows you to use multiple screens to display the Windows desktop.

By using multiple monitors, you can spread out your desktop to display applications in two or more screens. This usage is usually done with Excel spreadsheets or audio or video editing programs. Users can also use an application that runs on one screen while another application runs on another screen. For example, Microsoft Outlook can run on the main screen and Internet Explorer runs in the second screen. The additional screens used in Multiple Monitor have no taskbar; they only have the original wallpaper or background selected.

Set up Multiple Monitor

To create multiple monitors on one computer, you need a video card with two outputs (or two separate video cards) and two or more monitors. Then your job is to configure the properties displayed in Windows Vista. With regular desktop computers, up to 10 screens can be used; however, for laptops, users are limited to the number of two monitors. In the laptop scenario, this Multiple Monitor version is known as Dualview , and will only work if your laptop has a second video output.

Multiple Monitor configuration

Connect the second monitor (or other monitors) to one of the extended video ports on the computer . New video cards today have DVI ports (see Figure 1). However, you can still connect old SVGA screens; then just use the DVI to VGA adapter. In some cases, though not recommended, video cards with DVI and SVGA ports can all be used within the Multiple Monitor configuration. An example of the SVGA port is shown in Figure 2.

Set up multi-monitor configuration in Vista Picture 1
Figure 1: Example of DVI ports

Set up multi-monitor configuration in Vista Picture 2 Set up multi-monitor configuration in Vista Picture 2
Figure 2: Example of an SVGA port

Turn on the second screen . The screen LED will light up and will not display green until the screen is configured in Windows.
Open the Display Settings window in Vista. Right-click the desktop and select Personalize . Then select Display Settings . This will open the Display Settings window.
Verify that the Multiple Monitor feature is enabled. Click the Display drop-down menu . Multiple Monitors will appear. If not, your video card may not support Multiple Monitor, or you need to upgrade your hardware driver. Check the documentation for your video card to find out if it supports the Multiple Monitor feature.
Expand the desktop . Select screen number 2, whether in the display or in the drop-down menu and tick the item Extend My Windows Desktop on to This Monitor . By using the Identify button and dragging the screens in the display window, you can arrange the screens to suit their physical location.
Confirm your options . Click Apply . The mouse will expand to all the screens you add. Verify that the second screen works by dragging a window to its display. If all goes well, click OK to close the Display Settings / Display Properties window.
Add to other screens ! Repeat steps 1 through 6 to add other screens that you want to use udnjg. Remember, you can add up to 10 screens simultaneously using Multiple Monitor.

Tips for Multiple Monitor and Dualview

When setting up Multiple Monitor you need to remember some of the following tips:

Disconnecting temporary screens can disable them permanently . In some cases, a screen that is disconnected while Windows is running will need to be reconfigured within the Display Settings window. You must then follow the steps described above to reconfigure the second monitor.
Vista wants to use the same video cards and drivers . Microsoft claims that if users want to use multiple video cards with Multiple Monitor feature, these video cards should be the same. However, you may not be affected by that limitation with some other manufacturers - for example, two GTX 260 cards, one from Gigabyte and one from PNY. Some technicians can install additional video cards to work in these settings, but it often requires additional configurations and depends on the card type. That's why this practice is not recommended. Windows XP previously proved more permissive in this regard.
Screen resolution may vary . You can use multiple monitors at different scales - for example, a 22-inch 16:10 screen and a 4: 3 17-inch screen. They can work if your video card supports these resolutions; Most new video cards are possible.
Laptops cannot change the main display . The main screen is a screen containing the Start button and taskbar. This cannot be changed on a laptop. Keep in mind that laptops use the default Dualview feature, which is limited to two monitors. Some computers have only two video outputs that will be restricted, and only the first video port can output to the main screen. The first video output port can be labeled on the video card, otherwise it will usually be the left port (viewed from the back of the computer). However, the main display can be changed to another screen on the desktop's Multiple Monitor settings. This depends on whether the video card supports it. Most new ATI and Nvidia video cards support this feature. Here, the first screen plugged in and recognized by Windows will be treated as the first screen and labeled as such in the Display Settings window.
Some laptops do not display a wide screen resolution (16:10) for the second video connection. In some cases, laptops do not display 16:10 or 16: 9 resolutions for the second monitor, even if the laptop's main screen is a widescreen. In these cases, the second screen should have a 4: 3 resolution.