Extend PC Display

chancesare_2

I have an ancient PC (Windows 7) that I need to add a second monitor to.

I bought a splitter that allowed me to plug two screens in but it would only allow me to mirror the display. I need to extend the display, that much I know.

But whilst I understand what I want to do I am totally inept with tech at knowing how to achieve it.

Can anyone please advise. Thank you.

Neil_Jones

You can't do it with a splitter, splitters are designed to do what you've experienced - mirror the display on both screens.

If you want to extend the desktop you need to connect the second monitor to another output port on the same graphics card, assuming that exists on the graphics card. Most cards have two, sometimes three outputs, typically VGA (blue), DVI (white) and newer ones HDMI (most likely micro or mini HDMI).

Some onboard solutions have multiple outputs too and the same principle applies (onboard HDMI tends to be full size).. Failing that, a cheap graphics card can be installed.

[Deleted User]

Hi,


have a look here, might help.

almillar

I have an ancient PC (Windows 7)

More information required. What is your graphics chip/card, what Video outputs do you have. What video inputs do you have on your monitors?
Even an ancient graphics card can do what you need, you just need to make sure you have enough/the right type of outputs. And then match them to the inputs on your monitors.

Frozen_up_north

Most oldish computers had an analogue and a digital monitor output. The rough solution is to use one analogue and one digital monitor, however the displays rarely match.

I’ve run dual digital monitors for years, both with Windows 7 and Windows 10. The only problem I’ve had has been Windows installing generic drivers on updates, easily solved by installation of the manufacturers drivers.

that

You also get usb adapters that will allow a second monitor, probably not great for gaming, but for speadsheets, lower end video and and normal graphic work they are very impressive on usb2. in they way that you can drag documents from one screen to another and notice no difference in performace or picture tearing. It even played a youtube video very well.

You also get usb3 ones

chancesare_2

almillar wrote: »

More information required. What is your graphics chip/card, what Video outputs do you have. What video inputs do you have on your monitors?
Even an ancient graphics card can do what you need, you just need to make sure you have enough/the right type of outputs. And then match them to the inputs on your monitors.

Can you tell me how I find this info out please?

chancesare_2

that wrote: »

You also get usb adapters that will allow a second monitor, probably not great for gaming, but for speadsheets, lower end video and and normal graphic work they are very impressive on usb2. in they way that you can drag documents from one screen to another and notice no difference in performace or picture tearing. It even played a youtube video very well.

You also get usb3 ones

Thanks, the PC isn't for gaming, it's for Autocad. I draw Planning Permission, Building Regs, House Plans and Panel Drawings.

that

chancesare wrote: »

Thanks, the PC isn't for gaming, it's for Autocad. I draw Planning Permission, Building Regs, House Plans and Panel Drawings.

possibly will suit your purpose then just be weary of resolution, connector type, and windows 10 compatibly as there are some old ones knocking around

here is one of many https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/StarTech-com-USB-to-DVI-External-Video-Card-Multi-Monitor-Adapter-USB-to-DVI-Ad/333263644573

This one is £6, usb3 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-3-0-to-VGA-Video-Display-Cable-Adapter-Lead-for-Windows-7-8-10-Multi-Display/273156202980

wongataa

chancesare wrote: »

Can you tell me how I find this info out please?

To find out what outputs you have on your video card and inputs on your monitors you need to look at the parts in question. Look at the back of the monitors. See what connectors are there and how they are labelled. Look at the back of the computer where the current monitor cable is plugged in. Are there any other video connectors next to it? If so what type?

almillar

^ Yes, follow wongtaa's advice. If there's only one video output at the back of the computer, I don't think we can go any further. Someone mentions USB above, but I imagine it would need to be fast, which yours won't be. You could change your graphics card since it's a desktop we're talking about. Do you know the brand and model of the computer?
Right click on 'Computer' and click Properties. There will be a load of tabs, and in one of those will be 'Device Manager'. Click on that, and you should get a list of stuff. One in that list should be 'Display adaptor'. What is under that? That's your graphics card.