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January 8th, 2004 03:00
2nd monitor
I've only had my computer about 1 month. I just had someone give me a monitor. What do I have to have to hook it up and use it as a second monitor?
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Rache623
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January 8th, 2004 04:00
To get started, a user who prefers to use the components you already have will need to identify the video card already installed in the computer system. (Right-click My Computer > Properties > Device Manager tab. Now double-click your display adapter's icon, your video card is listed here). Then you need to learn the driver file version of your video card. (Double-click your display adapter, select the Driver tab, click Driver Details and note the Provider & File version).
It's important to realize that not all video cards can support dual monitors, so armed with your video card information, you can compare your video card and driver file version with a list of supported video cards listed in the hardware requirements for multiple displays in Windows 98 at in The Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 182708.
The Microsoft Knowledge Base will tell you if your video card can be used in a dual monitor system and which video card(s) can be selected that are compatible to, and match your existing card.
You can choose to purchase a new compatible video card to match your existing card or you can purchase two new compatible cards. You can select two new PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) video cards or choose one PCI and one compatible AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) card. PCI and AGP cards, if compatible, can be successfully installed in a single computer system.
If you do combine an AGP video card and a PCI video card, you will want your AGP card to be your primary video card. You will need to enter your computer system's BIOS and configure your video settings to use your AGP slot as the primary video card. (Refer to your motherboard manual or contact the manufacturer if you require more information.)
Additionally, the PCI video card should be installed in the PCI slot labeled as number one. Any additional video cards in a multiple monitor set up would then be installed in PCI slots number two, and so forth.
If you are using two PCI cards, install the primary video card in PCI slot one; the secondary video card in PCI slot two, and so forth.
Just a reminder, remember to remove any original video card drivers before installing the first video card. (Restart your computer in safe mode, open Control Panel > System, select Device Manager, double-click your display adapter's icon, select your old video card, right-click and choose Remove).
Sometimes a system doesn't offer the user unlimited open PCI slots to fill up. You do have the option to purchase a single video card with dual video ports for running dual monitors. This extends the capability to all Windows users as well, supporting Windows 95/98/NT/2000.