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Digital Paint Community => Other Stuff => Topic started by: Garrett on July 24, 2008, 06:25:22 PM

Title: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 24, 2008, 06:25:22 PM
Able to use my siblings monitor for the time being as his computer is down.  I kinda like the setup. 

See the picture below.

Is there any issues that I need to know about when it comes to a dual screen desktop setup? 
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Spook on July 24, 2008, 06:29:42 PM
If you run SLI cards, you'd need to disable SLI to do it at all. That's about all I can think of off the top of my head.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: jitspoe on July 24, 2008, 06:35:26 PM
The only issue I haven't been able to figure out a way around is if you boot up with just 1 monitor on, there doesn't seem to be a way to enable the second one (aside from cloning or spanning in the video card drivers).  Other than that, it's pretty straightforward.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 24, 2008, 06:36:57 PM
I want both monitors to be able to run different tasks.  One monitor is on the internet/ using bsp and the other monitor is showing the game and but if you alt+tab out, that screen will just be the desk top.  My current setup is just the primary screen stretched in the the second monitor.  I though you were able to have both screens show a separate desktop.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: KnacK on July 24, 2008, 06:47:37 PM
no,

This isn't linux.

You can only stretch your desktop to the other monitor ( extend is the correct word)

Look up the utility "multimon"

It's free and adds good functionality to multimonitor setups.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: lekky on July 24, 2008, 06:56:13 PM
what? Of course you can... Thats exactly what I'm doing right now... on XP.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 24, 2008, 06:59:49 PM
Are you using a program like multimon?  I am trying that program right now.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: lekky on July 24, 2008, 07:03:05 PM
nope, my gfx card lets me have the 2 screens configured independently from each other
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 24, 2008, 07:08:33 PM
i have a 8800GTX. 
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: KnacK on July 24, 2008, 07:17:16 PM
I believe Garrett wanted 2 completely separate desktops.  Menu bar and all.  That you can't do under XP, or windows period.
I am now using Ultramon as its a lot more stable that multimon.  Moving across my 3 monitors is a piece of cake.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 24, 2008, 07:36:58 PM
Trying to use multimon and it says my system doesn't support dual monitors when I know for a fact it does.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: lekky on July 24, 2008, 08:12:38 PM
oh i see, sorry knack. I like all the programs on one start menu, so i can see flashes etc :P
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 24, 2008, 08:13:23 PM
I got it working.  I like this setup.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: KnacK on July 24, 2008, 09:08:46 PM
At work I have my Dell Latitude 830 in the middle, a 22" wide screen on the left and a 19" on the right.

Multiple monitors rock.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 24, 2008, 10:36:50 PM
I like this multimon program.  Is there any way I can set this up so you can't move your cursor from one monitor to the other with out some sort of hotkey press or something of this nature?
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: kNoC on July 24, 2008, 10:54:10 PM
ultramon is a darn good one too

i use it for my monitor and my 61" L.E.D. HDTV ;)
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: KnacK on July 25, 2008, 06:56:37 AM
I like this multimon program.  Is there any way I can set this up so you can't move your cursor from one monitor to the other with out some sort of hotkey press or something of this nature?

No, that's just the way that multiple monitors work in windows.

Dont worry, you'll get used to it.


Here's a pic of my desk:

From right to left:
Network monitoring
Email ( typically)
whatever I am currently working on.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 25, 2008, 12:16:17 PM
I got ultramon.  I like it alot more.  What is the best way to move from monitor to monitor without minimizing a game?
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: KnacK on July 25, 2008, 12:23:09 PM
hmm try alt tab out?
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 25, 2008, 12:25:48 PM
DP gets minimized if I alt+tab or ctrl+esc out.  :(
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: lekky on July 25, 2008, 09:33:19 PM
bring down console and move mouse?
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 25, 2008, 09:35:31 PM
Nope.  Cursor stays in DP window.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: lekky on July 25, 2008, 09:43:01 PM
how about pressing the windows key?
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on July 25, 2008, 09:43:55 PM
Minimizes
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Zorchenhimer on July 26, 2008, 12:05:46 AM
You'll have to take it out of full screen mode for the console trick to work.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: KnacK on July 26, 2008, 08:32:05 AM
You'll have to take it out of full screen mode for the console trick to work.

+1

didnt even think about that.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Zorchenhimer on July 26, 2008, 07:21:32 PM
Hehe, I have two aliases setup just for that purpose.  "full" puts it in full screen mode (1400x900) and "window" takes it out of full screen and pops the resolution down to 800x600.

There is a trick you have to do for this though (its quicker, at least).  Before you put it in fullscreen mode, you have to set the resolution to your desktop's, then set the fullscreen variable.  For window'd mode you have to do it the opposite way.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on August 07, 2008, 05:36:59 PM
Well my monitor is getting taken back today.  Kinda stinks.  Any good recommendations of a good 20-22 inch monitor that is on the creeper side but will support the 1600x1200 resolution? 
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: KnacK on August 07, 2008, 07:16:02 PM
Dell's ultrasharp is what I use:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-6107
Screen rotates, goes up and down, has analog and dvi inputs, plus a 4 port usb hub: 2 in the back and 2 on the side.  Plus you can get the integrated sound bar that mounts under the monitor.
Title: Re: Dual Screen Setup
Post by: Garrett on August 07, 2008, 07:52:26 PM
Wow.  I don't got that much money.  Dell does make nice monitors though.  I hate their computers.