OT: Laptop with 2 monitors

teaktart wrote on 9/4/2007, 10:03 AM
I'm just moving into my first laptop and would like to connect it to my two CRT monitors and bypass the laptop screen.

I'm curious how I might set this up.
I have one VGA port on the laptop and was wondering if a simple VGA splitter (one male to two female connectors) would do the trick. I basically want the screen space and the ability to drag windows back and forth between the screens or as when editing to have my workspace on one screen and my preview on the second screen.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Eileen

p.s. I'm trying really really hard to warm up to the installed Vista but its not easy!

Comments

jrazz wrote on 9/4/2007, 10:12 AM
I believe a splitter would only allow you to have an identical clone of one desktop and not allow you to split it. Your graphics card may allow you to split between your laptop screen and an external, but that would be doubtful. On the other hand, you may be able to find a USB graphics card or PCMCIA card that will allow you to do what you want.

j razz
MH_Stevens wrote on 9/4/2007, 10:41 AM
Eileen: Are you using the HP vd9543cl you recommended? Nice I got one but my wife stole it (she is learning Photoshop and Illustrator at school so she had a reason).

If you connect the second screen to the VGA out you should be able to have the laptop as the first screen. You will not be able to have two external monitors.

Go to control panel/Nvidia control panel/ then select "multiple displays" and follow instructions.

Michael
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 9/4/2007, 2:27 PM
I use a DV9000t and I put the vga out to one screen and just adapt the HDMI out of the other port to make my other screen go.

Perhaps you have some way of doing this? also depending on the resolution you want to run, there is a 2 from 1 adapter out there that you might be able to use.

Dave
teaktart wrote on 9/4/2007, 8:58 PM
Michael,
Yes that's the one I got too, nice except for the Vista...PIA!

What I want to do is use my two CRT monitors and basically just use the "brains" and speed of the laptop as I can't stand the keypad either, and am awaiting my order of a wireless mouse and keyboard so can get back up to speed typing and clicking around editing...

My monitors are hooked up to my old desktop CPU here which I want to retire and replace with the much faster laptop. I have a 21" and 17" monitor set up side-by-side and it gives me even colors between the two and are at the right height for my eyes. Hence, my quest to find a solution to hooking up the laptop...and avoid even using its screen.

Dave,
It sounds like you found a solution...did you use some kind of HDMI to VGA adapter? And did you have to change any system settings to have it work as Michael suggested above, since the HDMI port is being used 'out' to the second monitor?

I called TigerDirect and asked for their advice and ended up ordering a USB to VGA adaptor for about $80 called a....

"Tritton SEE2 USB 2.0 to VGA Adapter Supports 1600x1200 - Extend your Desktop Across 2 Monitors"

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1088606

I think with this device plugged into a USB port and the other monitor plugged into the VGA port I should have my two CRT monitors working, or at least that's what I was told, and it should be fast enough to use with video playback at a decent resolution.
It seems like a way to "sneak" in a video card without actually adding a video card onto the laptop.

Should get it by the end of this week or next Monday and then I'll let you know if it works out.

Thanks for your ideas!

Eileen

p.s. It would be really cool if I could end up with the two CRT monitors and still have the HDMI port available to use for "External Monitor" to an HDTV for Vegas previews!
FuTz wrote on 9/4/2007, 9:20 PM
Maybe have a peek there? :
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/corpo/products/home.php#gxm
teaktart wrote on 9/4/2007, 10:26 PM
FuTz:
Wish I had seen your link a couple of hours earlier!
That's exactly what I need....
Just now cancelled my order w/Tiger Direct and ordered the
" Matrox Dual HeadGo Analog version"

I bet this is the same item I remembered seeing in a video trade magazine and just couldn't find it when I looked thru all my old copies...searching for that ad....

Thank you so much for the heads up on this!

Eileen