[cam]

i was thinking of using dual monitors because i want to play games and switch back to the desktop without problems (the games i'm playing do not support alt+tab). the thing is, i don't have the slightest idea how to do this, or even if it'll help me with my little 'problem'. i just want to know what exactly dual monitors will do, and how to install it.

btw, i'm running winxp home and my graphics card is GeForce 4 MX 440 with AGP 8X

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It's really just as simple as connecting a second monitor to your video card. The nVidia driver software your already using (nView) has built-in support for dual monitors. Start -> Control Panel -> Display -> Settings

[admin]

It's really just as simple as connecting a second monitor to your video card. The nVidia driver software your already using (nView) has built-in support for dual monitors. Start -> Control Panel -> Display -> Settings

[cam]

i know this is going to sound really stupid, but my 2nd monitor is really, really old - try more than 6 yrs old. i'm also not sure how to actually install it. i checked my video card and there isn't an additional slot for the 2nd monitor. however, there is another slot (i think it's the integrated video card one). also, what about the power cord?

[admin]

Depends who makes your card, some MX 440's have dual monitor support, and some don't. On the back of your card you'll have a blue video connector, and probably a round black S-video connector that can be used to send the signal to a TV. If you have dual monitor support, you'll an additional blue connector, or a slightly smaller white connection. The white connection is digital video, to be used with some LCD displays. It can also be used with a CRT display if your purchase a DVI to VGA adaptor (about $10): http://www.buyxtreme...dvitovgaad.html

[cam]

unfortunately, i don't have an additional blue video connector, so i took a trip to the computer shop and the guy said that if i wanted to use dual monitors, i needed an extra pci card, which i don't have at the moment. is there another way around this? i do have the DVI out and the black s-video connector. i think i'm probably going to try the tv. thanks!

[admin]

so i took a trip to the computer shop and the guy said that if i wanted to use dual monitors, i needed an extra pci card

No. You don't. Since you have DVI out, the only thing you need is a DVI to VGA adaptor, and your good to go. You can usually purchase it at a computer shop, office supply super store, or the link I provided.

[cam]

well that's a relief. thanks for all the info.