Two Monitors

[Fauxlethe]

Hi guys, I'm having a little (big!!) problem that I'm hoping someone may be able to help with.

I just bought a new Packard Bell with Windows 7. I used 2 monitors with my old computer (hp on Windows XP) and much prefer doing it this way. This time I am using a VGA splitter, so only one input to the computer for both monitors.

Windows 7 only detects one monitor though so I cannot spread my work over the two. Apparently the graphics cards etc allow for two monitors.

Do you think it is because I am using a VGA Splitter or is there something in Windows 7 that I need to adjust to capture the second device?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,
Faux-le-thé

 

[Anthony2816]

I'm not familiar with video splitters, but I've got four monitors hooked up (two on a PCI-E card; two on a PCI card), and Windows 7 64-bit handled them just fine.

 

[magicK]

Try and look at your F(X) keys to see if you see a monitor symbol on them. On my lappy to enable the 2nd monitor I have to hold FN and press F5

 

[RICH271]

this question is on the same level, we use our lg tv as a second monitor, it worked fine with vista but we just installed windows 7 and the only thing we see is the windows logo, and thoughts ... very frustrating! any help would be appreciated,thanks.

 

[stormy13]

Do you think it is because I am using a VGA Splitter or is there something in Windows 7 that I need to adjust to capture the second device?

Yes it is because of the splitter, and no there is nothing you can adjust in Windows to change it. A splitter is exactly what it says it is and will take a single signal and split it into two identical images on two monitors. You want dual monitors you need to use two connections.

Is there not at least two video outputs on the new computer? They don't need to both be the same (VGA & VGA or DVI & DVI, for example), as an adapter can be used if necessary. What is the full model number of the new Packard Bell?

@ RICH271, I see you have posted the same question in two different threads, could you please make a new topic in the Video Cards forum so as not to confuse what is going on in this and the other thread.

 

[Fauxlethe]

Thanks everyone for your feedback - much appreciated.

stormy13 thanks especially. There is another output on the computer but it's not VGA and the monitor won't fit in it. I guess I will have to buy an adapter. A shame given the guy who sold me the computer told me to buy a VGA splitter not an adapter!!!

thanks again

 

[stormy13]

Yep, need one of these,

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE DVI to VGA adapter for Twin-View video cards Model DVI-2-VGA - Video Card Accessories

If you have any computer shops close by you might even be able to get one for free, they probably have a box full of them (I know I have about a dozen of them laying around).

Once you get one and have both monitors connected, don't forget to go into the display properties and set the second to extended mode (and don't hold me to it but IIRC 7 defaults to extended mode when a second monitor is detected).

 

[Fauxlethe]

Great, thanks again stormy13 - much appreciated