How to? Two monitors.

[rest have risen above me]

I have access to a spare monitor and I want to use it on my desktop. How the (I would have swore in a geeky way here if it hadn't been banned) do I do it?

I have a graphics card fitted and the motherboard has a built in graphics chipset. I have tried any setting BIOS/Windows (Vista) I can find. Can it be done?

 

[metimmee]

I have access to a spare monitor and I want to use it on my desktop. How the (I would have swore in a geeky way here if it hadn't been banned) do I do it?

I have a graphics card fitted and the motherboard has a built in graphics chipset. I have tried any setting BIOS/Windows (Vista) I can find. Can it be done?

Hmm the short answer is...maybe. The easiest way is to buy a graphics card with 2 outputs and to set the display properties to enable the second monitor...some detect the second monitor is plugged in an enable the adaptor by default.

Your problem is that the motherboard may disable the graphics slot when the built in adaptor is enabled. Also, you have to hope that the drivers play nicely together..

Check the m/b manual to ensure its not prohibited. If you are feeling adventurous and give it a whirl, enable the built in adaptor in the bios with the graphics card removed....install drivers. Switch off and install the graphics card and see what happens! Much playing with the drivers will be next in display properties.

Or...save yourself the hassle, spend £50 and get a dual output card.

 

[OldMedic]

Fitting a graphics card usually disables the on-board graphics chip.

Does your graphics card have two outputs, VGA and DVI or even two DVI?

If so, with the right software that should let you use two monitors.

Whoops! You already have that answer!

 

[ForgottenName]

I have access to a spare monitor and I want to use it on my desktop. How the (I would have swore in a geeky way here if it hadn't been banned) do I do it?

I have a graphics card fitted and the motherboard has a built in graphics chipset. I have tried any setting BIOS/Windows (Vista) I can find. Can it be done?

I take it that you have tried Control Panel>Personalizations>Display Settings then drag the Monitor 2 icon onto the Montor 1 icon and 'enable'.

 

[rest have risen above me]

No I'm on a pikey no cost trip and it's interesting trying to get it working. So it'll be the start basic and add bits solution first, hoping that the graphics output on the MB won't be disabled.

 

[pie sandwich]

I run duel monitors at home, and it is very easy to do.
I have duel DVI outputs on the graphics cards, so I plug each monitor in, and then run the graphics control panel and select duel monitors and it allows me to select which is No 1 and 2 so that only one has the task bar.
But also as you run the mouse from left to right that it goes across both screens left to right.

You may also have to have a play around in the control panel screen resolution section.

 

[Ex-Bay]

I run duel monitors at home, and it is very easy to do.
I have duel DVI outputs on the graphics cards, so I plug each monitor in, and then run the graphics control panel and select duel monitors and it allows me to select which is No 1 and 2 so that only one has the task bar.
But also as you run the mouse from left to right that it goes across both screens left to right.

You may also have to have a play around in the control panel screen resolution section.

Start/ control Panel / display / Settings.
Line up the two monitors to equal size and set "1" to the right.
Set the desired resolution.
Apply
OK

 

[Barch]

Start/ control Panel / display / Settings.
Line up the two monitors to equal size and set "1" to the right.
Set the desired resolution.
Apply
OK

That depends on which socket on the Video Card you have plugged the monitors to!