Dual Monitor confusion.

Hi, I'm hoping that I've posted this in the right spot but if not please re-direct me.

I'm having a frustrating time setting up my dual monitor on my new hp pc in Windows 7. I fixed in the second graphics card (giving me two vga ports) and booted up my pc. I went through all of the setting of extending windows and all that but windows has decided that it doesn't want to use it's own on-board monitor port and will only use the new one I have installed. So the monitor doesn't even bother to light up. When I set it to extend and check that both monitors are detected, I press okay and Windows acts as if the desktop has extended onto the screen. I move boxes to the right and they disappear onto the blank black screen which is plugged into the on-board port.

What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

What is your motherboard make and model? Most motherboards will automatically disable the onboard video when you install a dedicated video card. That is unless you have one that supports hybrid crossfire or something similar. Does the add in Video card have more than one monitor connector?

Agree'd.
You'll only have problems when using on-board + add-on video, which is why the onboard should be disabled in bios.

Welcome to the Seven Forums, Rowenna. As alphanumeric and xarden said, you will need a video card with two outputs. If your current one does not have two, you can get a cheap one for under $75. Good luck!

Hello all,
I'm on my way to work but just wanted to quickly say thanks for your replies.

It only has one output. The card worked fine on my old computer so I just assumed it would on the new one. Guess I need to get another graphics card then. The on-board doesn't even show up in the bios. Will keep you updated.

Thank you all again for your help.

The Add-in video card should work, you just won't be able to run dual displays. I've had some motherboards where the on-board was automatically disabled when a dedicated card was detected, and some where you had to manually switch it in BIOS. If you're getting Video from the add-in card, but not from the onboard, its working correctly. Once you remove it the on-board will just turn back on by it self.

a few motherboards do allow the use of the onboard gpu to drive a display along side the dedicated graphics card not many.

i doubt that hp would put such a feature on there boards.