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Dual External Monitors off single VGA port on Inspiron 1420
My goal is to connect 2 external monitors to my Inspiron 1420 laptop and close the lid, leaving the 2 external monitors as the only displays. This Inspiron has a nVidia GeForce 8400M GS video card.
Now, this was my goal before my company even ordered my laptop, so naturally, I contacted Dell support and confirmed with them (TWICE) that this particular video card in this laptop supports TWO external monitors, each w/ their own screen (no cloning). Both times the Dell reps assured me this was possible but I'd have to use a VGA splitter.
Low and behold, after getting everything hooked up, I can only get the 2 external monitors to clone each other. Even w/ the lid on the laptop closed, the monitors connected via the VGA splitter are cloned. So I contacted Dell support to inquire about how to actually do what they claim is possible. Unfortunately, that information I would need to pay for because it is considered Advanced Support - weaksauce.
Can anyone provide any info on getting this to work? Perhaps I have a dongle/splitter that isn't supported? Or perhaps its a software config issue.
Dell Inspiron 1420
nVidia GeForce 8400M GS
Vista Ultimate
Many thanks.
ejn63
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June 10th, 2008 20:00
Internal + external with different displays; you cannot have to externals with different displays on this model.
bderosa
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June 10th, 2008 20:00
Maranthis
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June 11th, 2008 12:00
Hooking two monitors with unique displays off one VGA port is not possible under any circumstance.
You will require multiple outputs. These are only found on:
1) Desktops
2) Laptops with a Quadro NVS card which specifically indicates multiple outputs
Quadro NVS cards are usually found on workstation laptops, or business laptops. You won't find them on any consumer-range laptop.