How do I set up two monitors?

aliasojo

One pc running Windows Vista

Existing main monitor is an HP L2045w.

Just plugged in a second monitor ( Viewsonic VX922).

Nvidia control panel had option for the two displays to be configured independently so I ticked that option as I want to be able to sort out my spreadsheets etc whilst keeping a fly eye on the internet.

Both screens then came on ok but the second screen (Viewsonic) only displays the wallpaper and nothing else, no icons, no toolbar etc. So how do I actually use it?

Apologies if this is a daft question and the answer is an obvious one.:o

jamalfatty

Does your mouse pointer appear on the screen if you move it to the extreme left or right of the one with taskbar on?

You need to find an option to 'extend my desktop' which should be in display properties somewhere

custardy

do you want the 2 displays to be one display
eg you can drag stuff across the 2 displays?
you would need to change the options to allow this
been so long i cant remember exactly what the options were
is it something like stretch?
what options do you get?
i cant check as this pc doesnt have a 2nd out

aliasojo

Yes mouse pointer appears on 2nd display. I can also do things like make a new folder on the 2nd display and it shows on the 2nd display only. But that's all I can do.

I dont really want the 2 displays to act as one. I wanted to have seperate progs or windows open on each one iyswim.

The Nvidia display options are:

Only use one display (single)

The same on both displays (clone)

Configured independently from each other (Dualview)

aliasojo

Ok I think I'm making this harder than it needs to be.

I can open whatever I want to do, on the main existing monitor and then drag it across to the 2nd screen.....is that what is 'supposed' to happen with 2 screens?

I thought you could just use the 2nd screen more independently than that, I didn't realise you could only drag from the first screen.

Is that right?

Belnahua

You can only drag windows over to the 2nd screen if they're not "full screen", click on restore and then drag to the 2nd screen, and click maximise.

jamalfatty

aliasojo wrote: »

Ok I think I'm making this harder than it needs to be.

I can open whatever I want to do, on the main existing monitor and then drag it across to the 2nd screen.....is that what is 'supposed' to happen with 2 screens?

I thought you could just use the 2nd screen more independently than that, I didn't realise you could only drag from the first screen.

Is that right?

Yes, that's how it should work, I think you were trying to have 2 completely seperate systems running on the two screens which is nigh on impossible.

What you've now got is essentially a wide(r)screen display

aliasojo

jamalfatty wrote: »

I think you were trying to have 2 completely seperate systems running on the two screens which is nigh on impossible.

Yes I think this is what I was trying to do at first as I didn't quite understand the process but I'm there now, lol.

Thank you everyone. :beer:

Dime_Bar

jamalfatty wrote: »

Yes, that's how it should work, I think you were trying to have 2 completely seperate systems running on the two screens which is nigh on impossible.

What you've now got is essentially a wide(r)screen display

Just if anyone is interested if you have two pcs and monitors and want to use one keyboard and mouse you can use Synergy. The PC's have to be networked but you can move the mouse between the two and also use the keyboard on either. It also transfers the clipboard. I have used it with up to 3 pcs and monitors and found it very good.

Best of all its free.

custardy

Dime_Bar wrote: »

Just if anyone is interested if you have two pcs and monitors and want to use one keyboard and mouse you can use Synergy. The PC's have to be networked but you can move the mouse between the two and also use the keyboard on either. It also transfers the clipboard. I have used it with up to 3 pcs and monitors and found it very good.

Best of all its free.

excellent ,cheers

nv200

Also here are a couple of tools that help with dual screen setup
DisplayFusion(free) - DisplayFusion will make your dual monitor (or triple monitor or more) experience smooth and painless. Advanced multi-monitor wallpaper support, Flickr integration for image searching and fully customizable window management hotkeys are just a sample of the many things DisplayFusion can do.

Ultramon(costs - $40), brillant tool and well worth the money if you seriously use and want to utliise dual(or more) screen setups. Will stretch the start bar across two screens, you can customize which windows open in..check it out I don't often recommend payable software but this the best thing out.