Using Multiple Monitors

Windows XP continues to support multiple monitors, a feature first introduced in Windows 98. With more than one monitor, you can run different applications on different screens and increase work productivity. Multiple monitors are useful to many different people, especially those working with multiple documents and graphics files. With Windows XP and the right hardware, you can connect as many as 10 individual monitors to a single PC.

When using multiple monitors, you can place different applications or files on different monitors, then stretch items between monitors. For example, suppose that you have a spreadsheet with many columns. You could use two monitors to stretch the file so that all columns are visible across the two monitors.

When using multiple monitors, one monitor serves as the primary monitor where older applications and the Windows logon screen will appear. You can use multiple video cards with different settings, or you can use a single video card that has multiple outputs where you can connect the monitors. Regardless of the configuration you choose, you use Display properties to adjust the appearance of each monitor. When setting up multiple monitors, there are a few basic rules you should keep in mind:

• If the computer has a video adapter built into the motherboard, then the built-in adapter must be used as the Video Graphics Array (VGA) device.

• Monitors in the multiple monitor setup must use either Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) or AGP slots.

• The PCI and Advanced Graphics Peripheral (AGP) cards cannot use any VGA resources.

• Only Windows XP–compatible drivers can be used on the monitors.

To set up multiple monitors, follow the steps in the following section.

Setting Up Multiple Monitors

1. Turn off the computer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the new PCI or AGP video card.

2. Attach a monitor to the new card and boot the computer.

3. Windows XP plug and play will detect the new card and install it.

4. Right-click an empty area of the desktop and click Properties. Click the Settings tab, which includes two monitor icons. Select the monitor that you want to use as the secondary monitor.

5. Click the Extend My Windows Desktop onto This Monitor check box.

6. Adjust the resolution and color scheme settings as desired for the monitor. Click OK.

7. To add additional monitors to the configuration, repeat steps 1–6.