Dual Monitors: Set-Up

[jaimenote]

I want to install a two-monitor set-up. After Windows 7 driver install, Windows detects the new LG 2486L as 'LG 2486 (Digital) on Standard VGA Graphics Adapter' and shows only one display icon as #1, failing to detect the older NEC display altogether, thus no option to extend the display onto a second monitor appears in, 'Change the appearance of your display'.

I am running the DVI cable that came with the new LG monitor. I am using an VGA/DVI adapter to connect the older VGA monitor. I disconnected the NEC monitor and restarted the system using only the LG monitor connection and still get the same result.



Monitors:

• NEW: LG 2486L (DVI Cable)
• OLD: NEC LCD 1530V (VGA Cable w/Adapter)

System:

• Windows 7 64-bit
• Asus P7P55D
• Radeon HD 5770 (ATI)

Can anyone guide me through a correction of the errors or oversights I've made and help with the set up of these two monitors?

Thank you.

 

[alphanumeric]

I just installed a Geforce GT 220 in my system and had the same problem you have. After installing the latest NVidia drivers my second monitor showed up.

 

[jaimenote]

I just installed a Geforce GT 220 in my system and had the same problem you have. After installing the latest NVidia drivers my second monitor showed up.

I went here: ATI Catalyst™ 10.1 Suite for Windows 7 (64 bit) to download the most recent driver package (released: 1/27/10) for my ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card.

The software includes helpful install wizards: one - to install drivers, a second - to set-up a monitor configuration. The initial wizard to install the drivers indicates that a system restart is required. Thee is no prompt to restart a second time once the second monitor set-up wizard is run (go to All Programs, open Catalyst Control Center folder and run CCC-Wizard) After using this second wizard with its 5 easy steps and the additional reboot, my two-display configuration was complete as desired.

Thank you alphanumeric the helpful hint was much appreciated.

 

[alphanumeric]

Glad you got it working, I really missed using my dual monitors and couldn't wait to ditch my on-board graphics for a dedicated card.

 

[Spikemaul]

With a dual monitor setup is there a way to have two different wallpapers? I have a Samsung T220 (1680 x 1050) as my main display and an Acer (AL 1916) as the secondary display. Can I have two different wallpapers for this setup?

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes and no. I was hoping windows 7 would finally be the one to let you do that natively but I haven't found a way to do it without installing a third party app. Programs like Ultramon will let you do it. There are others but thats the one I used and it works. It does other things too but I find I don't need them in 7 because it has better support for dual monitors than XP did. My monitors are identical with 1280x1024 resolutions. I have a folder full of 2560x1024 wide screen wallpapers. If I use those and set it to "tile" they span across both monitors. If you start a new thread you may get some better advice. Maybe there is a trick to doing it on windows 7 that I don't know about. If there is I'd like to know too.