How to Connect Two Monitors to One Computer

Introduction

For many professions nowadays, such as graphic designer, music producer or other creative jobs, there is a need for more than one monitor per computer. If you want to work with two monitors you can buy a monitor switch box or a second video card to connect two SVGA monitors to one computer. You'll need Windows XP or Mac OS X or newer for the instructions in this eHow.

By: eHow Computers Editor

Length: 1:39

Comments: 8

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Instructions

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Difficulty: Moderate

Tips & Warnings:

You can replace your current video card with one that supports two monitors instead of adding a second card. (This conserves expansion slots.)
You can add a second monitor to most Macintosh computers even if your video capabilities are integrated into the motherboard. In fact, a few Macs came with two monitor ports--check your computer's specifications.
If your PC doesn't have a video card, you can't add a second monitor.
You must use SVGA monitors.

Step1

If you have a Windows computer, see if your current video card can support dual monitors. (Read Microsoft Knowledge Base article 182708 at support.microsoft.com.)

Step2

If it can't, buy a monitor switch box and connect both monitors to it. Or buy a new video card that has dual monitor ports.

Step3

If it can, buy and install a second video card. Read "How to Install a Video Card," for installation instructions.

Step4

Reboot the computer.

Step5

Set preferences for your new monitor in the Display control panel under System Preferences (Macintosh) or in the Display control panel (Windows).

Comments

MartinGugino said

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on 2/13/2008 The slide (#2) about a Belkin Omni View SE 2-port switch seems completely off-topic to me. That device is used for attaching one monitor to two computers. (Isn't it?)

wittsparks said

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on 11/3/2007 Most modern laptops will support a dual-head configuration by default - Just plug the external monitor into the vga port on the laptop. Leaving the laptop open, turn on the second monitor. Right-click on the desktop, click properties, then settings. Select 'Extend my windows desktop onto this monitor' and you're all set.

edmikell said

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on 1/28/2008 It you need something quick and fast, for about $4.50 you can buy a vga y cable. Plug one end into your computer, the other two ends into the monitors.

6thchamber said

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on 6/12/2007 I have an ATI Radeon graphics card with two screen ports - one is standard vga (blue) and the other is a larger grey one (think it's a HD port) - is there any way of connecting a standard vga screen to a HD port (maybe using an adaptor or something) Thanks!

computerwiz said

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on 1/22/2007 I have two moniters and an ATI Radeon video card. It says it can support two moniters. However, when I go to Display and tell it to extend my desktop onto the secound nothing happens! If you can help please email me at johndeerealfalfa@yahoo.com.

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