I've recently got two monitors, but the secondary monitor doesn't show anything. On the screen resolution panel, it detects the second monitor, and when I move the mouse to the side, it acts as though there is a second screen there. However, on my video card control panel (I have an Nvidia GeForce GT 640) It only detects one screen. This might be because I am using a USB to DVI converter as the video card only has one slot.
Why are you using a usb to dvi converter ? Doesn`t the monitor and the card both have at least a vga or dvi connection ?
You need to use 2 video cables, vga, or dvi.
Post a link to your exact card, from what I can see, that card has at least 2 if not 3 video outputs.
GeForce GT 640 | GeForce
It's this one, it has a couple more ports in the back, but I don't have the requisite cables/convertors for them. Both of the monitors work as the primary monitor as well.
Last edited by DJWE; 18 Dec 2013 at 12:10. Reason: Adding bit
Until you get the proper cables, dvi, vga, hdmi, disconnect the 2nd monitor, there`s no point in having 2 monitors showing the same thing.
Go out and get the cables, 2 dvi cables would be best. Do both monitors have dvi inputs ?
After you get the proper cables, simply choose extend these displays under screen resolution.
They're both VGA, the port in the back of the computer is a DVI, but the other two ports aren't VGA/DVI/HDMI.
This is a picture of the ports: http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-fil....DellGT640.jpg
Then you need a dvi to vga adapter on the video card and 1 vga cables. The other 2 ports are 1 hdmi port and 1 display port (yes that`s what it`s called) unless you have either of those connections on your second monitor you`re screwed.
You can use a dvi to vga splitter, but that would also be pointless, as that would just duplicate the desktops.
If I`m wrong about that, someone could chime in.
Only this type of splitter and a video card to match, will allow you to have 2 separate images from 1 video port.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMS-59
Last edited by AddRAM; 18 Dec 2013 at 14:09.
In the case of DJWE's card it is likely an OEM version made expressly for Dell, hence it not having the three ports on it (VGA< DVI and HDMI) you would expect.
Also if it did have the three ports like most here,
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Video Cards & Video Devices, Desktop Graphics Cards, GeForce GT 640
all the adapters and cables in the world won't help to get two VGA/analogue signals out of it, as the card only supports VGA/analogue from the VGA port or one of two DVI ports (on such cards they come with one DVI-I and one DVI-D).
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