Dual monitor setup from laptop

I am a college student and have a Dell d630 laptop and am stuck with it until I graduate. I have many hours of programming still ahead and am very sick of this tiny screen. I like to have a minimum of 4 windows open at a time and would love a dual screen setup so I could cover more ground. I would like a setup where I don't need to use my laptop screen at all and just have 2 external monitors working together (I already have the monitors). I tried doing research to figure out my best option but I know nothing about video cards or monitor configurations so I didn't get far. Could someone recommend the product or setup i would need? thanks!

Well with a laptop, you're extremely limited as to video output capabilities, the best you're most likely going to be able to do is one external monitor.
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Dual monitor setup - need laptop on the left

Hi All
I'm running a dual monitor setup - specifically a HP G72 laptop and a widescreen monitor. I use the monitor as the default and sometimes I want to use the Laptop as a secondary screen for watching TV etc. My desktop is Enlightenment, I just changed to it from Gnome. My issue is that I want the laptop to be on the left of the monitor - that's how it is physically positioned - but when I switch the Laptop screen on all my applications shift over to the laptop screen. I've written 2 scripts, attached to hotkeys, one to turn the laptop off and the other to turn the laptop on. The script to turn the laptop on is as follows:
xrandr --output LVDS1 --mode 1600x900 --pos 1600x0 --rotate normal
--output VGA1 --primary --mode 1920x1080 --pos 0x0 --rotate normal --left-of LVDS1
This works fine, applications stay where they should be, except that the physical position is incorrect; VGA1 should be to the right of LVDS1 like this:
xrandr --output LVDS1 --mode 1600x900 --pos 1600x0 --rotate normal
--output VGA1 --primary --mode 1920x1080 --pos 0x0 --rotate normal --right-of LVDS1
However, when I use the second script all of the applications shift to the laptop but at least the physical position is correct. The issue appears to be something to do with laptops, almost as though when it's a laptop the default monitor is forced to be on the left. Has anybody got any suggestions how to get around this issue?
Thanks
Richard

This is due to your window manager treating the two monitors as a larger 'desktop' area - that combined with your specification of the pos=0x0 you are telling it to do this.
If you have only the VGA output on, the top left corner of the VGA monitor is 0x0. If you open a window, and it is placed 10 pixels in and down from the top left, it is at coordinates 10x10 in the x session. Then you turn on the laptop monitor and specify that the top left corner of the laptop monitor should now bo considered 0x0 - but nothing is done to move the windows, so the window with coordinates 10x10 is now near the top left of the laptop monitor.
I see 3 possible ways of acheiving what you want:
1) swap the "pos" parameters in your xrandr commands so that the monitor on the left is always at 0x0 and the one on the right is always at 1920x0 (or whatever). This will leave a large area of available X desktop that is not visible - I don't know how your window manager will treat this. It might try to map windows on the laptop screen space even though that screen is not on. I know openbox is easy to configure where it tries to place windows.
2) Keep the VGA monitor always at 0x0, but place the laptop monitor at a negative offset when you want it on. I don't actually know if X allows negative coordinates like that, but it's worth a shot.
3) Configure your window manager, or use a different window manager, so that it is aware of the two screens and treats them reasonably (e.g. moves windows when the desktop area is changed).
Last edited by Trilby (2014-07-12 12:15:42)

I have a dual monitor setup. When I paste develop settings from one image to another, Lightroom switches the active window.

Strange problem. Lightroom 5.5. Windows 8.1. Dual monitor setup.
I'm processing a large batch of photos. I have Monitor #1 set as my main develop window, with Monitor #2 set only to display a larger version of the image I'm working with. If I copy the develop settings off of one image and try to paste them onto another image, Lightroom will switch from Monitor #1 to Monitor #2 as the main develop window, and will not display anything on Monitor #1.
If I then try to paste develop settings onto another image on Monitor #2, LR will then display a larger version of the image I'm working with on Monitor #1.
To work the way I want to, I have to continually drag my develop window back to Monitor #1 every time I try to paste develop settings onto a new image. How can I make this stop?

I just tried what I think you’re saying you’re doing and I don’t have the problem with LR 5.5 on Windows 7 SP 2.
Does the same thing happen whether you use the key shortcuts vs the Settings / Copy/Paste options on the menu?
I ask this because if you’re using the keyboard shortcuts, maybe you have some display-manager program that has bound itself to the Ctrl-Shift-V (paste settings) to the function of move-to-other-monitor which would do at least part of what you describe.
You can also test this theory by doing a Ctrl-Shift-V with an application other than LR as the active window and see if it moves. I suppose Ctrl-Shift-C might also play into it so try both of these hot-key combinations with a program that isn’t LR.
If none of this sheds any light on the situation, then give a more detailed description of the low-level functions you’re doing to accomplish the copy-paste of settings, so someone else could replicate the steps exactly.
Specific detailed steps, like:
left-click on source photo’s thumbnail in the filmstrip
press Ctrl-Shift-C to copy the settings
click Check-None
enable the white-balance and calibration checkboxes
click Ok
left-click on destination photo's thumbnail in the filmstrip
click on Settings / Paste Settings in LR’s menus to paste the settings to the selected photo

Is a dual monitor setup with 2graphic cards possible?

HI.
What i want to do is run Archlinux on my Desktop but i dont want to miss my second monitor.
I could use both monitor on my nvidia graphiccard but i want to use the energy saving features too (wich dont work with 2monitor on one card) therefore my windows setup is big monitor on nvidia and the smaller one on the intel onboard card.
They both get recognized by lspci but only the onboard cards isy being used (the onboard card is the first card on windows too).
So is it possible to get it to work? Id really want to use ARchlinux on my Desktop too but i dont want to use it with one screen or without energy saving?
Working compositing is a must, i want to use gnome3 wich is the only reason to swich to linux for the Desktop (arch is running on the laptop for ages^^) but i dont need to, Win7 is working flawlessly fine and i didnt have to pay for it (msdnaa).
Thanks in advance!

hy do you need to clock down your card?
Most gpu have a function that clocks down the card@idle and or desktop.
In my case thats down from 850mhz(560ti)to 200mhz while using windows and 50mhz if the gpu load is low.
Thats about 20watts less then with full clock.
The problem is, that the gpu wont clock down with 2monitors on it, it stays at 850mhz.
Theres some driver tweaks for amd cards wich "fix" thatfix this (i believe its intentionl, 2monitors equals more load but its no problem with new cards...
Thats one reason i use my onboard gpu for the second monitor, it works well with windows and also means that swiching off fullscreen (games) to the desktop works a lot better, the second monitor can play a movie while playing wich doesnt work with one gpu and fullscreen.
I really dont need that with Linux since i use it for work and multimedia only but the energy saving feature is nice if the pc is on 8hours and more wich is often the case.
Can you tell which one do you run? I'm going to buy one for dual-monitor setup, and I'm looking for something that will work for shure.
As said dual monitor on one gpu works, amd can do 3monitors while nvidia can do 2 at once, that means if u intend to use 3monitors some day with ur card u have to buy an amd card.
i took the nvidia because is can use it to render videos with cuda support (its not working with all tools yet but its getting better and if it works its a lot faster then my cpu rendering).
PS: Thats one hread about the power saviing with 2monitors:http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=197557
since my monitors dont share the same resolution it seems that theres no way to make it work .
Last edited by halfzware (2011-05-12 21:17:41)

HP Pavilion dv7-2250ed and dual monitor setup

Good evening,
Currently I own a HP Pavilion dv7-2250ed notebook using a dual monitor setup (notebook display + extra monitor)
I wondered if it would be possible to hook 2 monitors to this laptop? (notebook display + extra monitor + extra monitor)
If this causes the problem, the notebook display isn't requered.
Also, if not, is there a dockingstation for this brand which supports the above?
Kind Regards,
Cor van Noorloos
Edit: a note to the devs of these forums, using multiple tags is done by comma's, not by spaces. You might wish to rephrase this phrase.

wgarn wrote:
I have attempted to connect one monitor via HDMI and the other one via the VGA interface.
Using Windows 7 OS and "default configurations" (Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Display\Screen Resolution) it is possible to use both external monitors as desktop. However the laptop screen will go blank. So at any time it appears to be possible to have an extended desktop with only two screens.
- Does HP have any drivers/solutions that make it possible to extend the desktop from "Mobile PC" display to two additional desktops?
- Has anyone tried third party software (e.g.. UltraMon)?
- Is there a technical restriction (e.g.. Videocard capability)?
- How about using a Linux OS (e.g.. Ubuntu)?
- What external Hardware exists that would enable me to extend my desktop to three or more monitors simultaneously?
Many thanks in advance.
It's the graphics card and the number of physical connections available. You might have 3 connections (notebook display being one) but the graphics card likely does not support more than 2 monitors. Intel graphics only support 2, however you may be able to find some AMD chips that will support more however that would be a major upgrade.
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I have 12 core with Quatro 4000 and 5770, I want to use dual monitor setup, monitors are NEC with Spectraview-II. How do I connect? 4000 only has 1 Display Port and 1 DVI. 5770 has 2 of each, if I use both 5770 Display Ports, does the 4000 contribute?

I just bought a 12 core with Quatro 4000 and 5770, I want to use dual monitor setup, monitors are NEC with Spectraview-II. How do I connect? 4000 only has 1 Display Port and 1 DVI. 5770 has 2 of each, if I use both 5770 Display Ports, does the 4000 contribute any work at all? I read where on a PC they would work together, but on a MAC they do not.
I read that Display Port has higher band width than DVI, NEC monitors for best performance they recommend using DIsplay Port.
When I was setting this up I looked at a Nvidia Quadro 4000, unfortunately it was for PC, it had 2 Display Ports, in the Mac version they reduce it to one. I did not think there could be a difference.
Mainly want to use it for CS6 and LR4.
How to proceed???
I do not want to use the Quadro 4000 for both, that would not optimize both monitors, one DP and 1 DVI. Using just the 5770 would work but I do not think the 4000 would be doing anything, and the 5770 has been replaced by the 5870.more bandwidth.
Any ideas, I am a Mac newbie, have not ever tried a Mac Pro, just bought off ebay and now I have these problems.
As a last resort I could sell both and get a 5870. That would work, I'm sure of that, it's just that I wanted the better graphics card.
Thanks,
Bill

The Hatter,
I am a novice at Mac so I read all I can. From what I understand the NEC monitors I bought require Display Port for their maximum performance. The GTX 680 only has DVI outputs. Difference from what I understand is larger bandwidth with the DP.
You said I have the 4000 for CUDA. I am not all that familiar with CUDA and when I do read about it I do not understand it.
A concern I have is, that if I connect the 2 high end NEC monitors via the 5770, using it's 2 Display Ports I would have nothing connected to the 4000. Is the 4000 doing anything with nothing connected? I read where in a PC system the 2 cards would interact but in a Mac system they do not.
Bottom line, as I see it, the 4000 will not be useful at all to me, since I want a dual monitor set-up.
So far the 5870 seems the best choice, higher band width than the 5770, and it has 2 Display Ports to optimize the NEC monitors.
I'm not sure how fine I am splitting hairs, nor do I know how important those hairs are. I am just trying to set up a really fast reliable system that will mainly be used for CS6 and LR4. Those NEC monitors are supposed to be top notch.

Dual monitor setup MBA 2013

Hello Everyone,
This is my first post on the Apple Support Community.
Nice to meet al of you!
System information:
Macbook Air medio 2013
Model MacBookAir6,2
Intel Core i7 1,7GHZ
8GB
512GB SSD
I am wondering if it is possible to have a dual monitor setup using the thunderbolt feature daisy-chain.
The configuration i am looking for is:
MBA --> Belkin Thunderbolt™ Express Dock (for using gigabit ethernet) --> Dell U2414H --> Dell U2414H
Specs:
Belkin Thunderbolt™ Express Dock = http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F4U055/
Dell U2414H = http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&sku=860-BB CG
Do i have a chance this could work?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you all.
Thanks!
Kind regards,
Njamo187

Hello,
I had the same problem with a nVidia GT120 card (2009 Mac Pro standard). OSX wouldn't show the gray screen on the 3090, even when it was connected alone (to the DVI port). Also, the login screen would always revert to the secondary display (connected thru the mini display port to DVI adapter).
After login, all was well.
Now I've solved the problem with an nVidia GTX 285 card. The 3090 is connected to the n.1 DVI port and the secondary display (a 1600x1200 Eizo L997) to the n.2 DVI port, and the Mac Pro boots correctly on the 3090 (gray screen and everything, at full 2560x1600 resolution).
Note that the first time I booted up the Mac after replacing the GT120 with the GTX 285 I had the same problem, and solved it by disconnecting the secondary display and then rebooting with the 3090 alone. Now everything works as it should.
Dont't know if there is a bug somewhere (EFI, maybe) of if the GT120 and your ATI are simply unable to work at full resolution before OSX desktop loading.

Dual monitor setup without using the ADC?

Would it be possible to run a dual monitor setup using a DVI splitter cable from my (2009)Mac Pro?
I've seen some old forums referring to the 2006 models saying that this wouldn't work and instead you'd get the same image on both screens but the newer Mac Pros state they have "Dual-Link DVI ports".
Just wondering whether this means what I think it means and you can connect two monitors via a dual link cable and get essentially, two monitors running independently as opposed to the same thing on both??
Hope it's staightforward and me just being slow.

The GT120 features one Dual Link DVI-I port and one Mini DisplayPort .
The DVI-I is Dual Link capable, and also can be directly adapted to VGA.
Single-Link DVI is a serial interface that carries three data bits in each signaling interval, as well as control signals. In general, Single-Link supports displays up to 1920 wide. Dual Link DVI is the same except that it carries six data bits in each signaling interval, supporting displays over 1920 wide.
DVI screen drawing is very similar to VGA screen drawing, and the data sent are digital "scan lines" left-to-right row data, top-to-bottom with entire screen data sent about every 60 Hertz. Analog VGA signals are sent at the same time on a separate set of pins.
DisplayPort and its Mini variant are inherently a packet interface, but can be coerced to produce a "Dual Mode" signal that approximates Single-Link DVI. Getting Dual-Link DVI or VGA from DisplayPort interface requires a non-trivial converter than contains chips and requires power.
Executive Summary:
If you have one display that is wider than 1920 or VGA, attach to the DVI-I connector with an appropriate cable.
Running a Mini DisplayPort display from the Mini DisplayPort requires only a cable.
Single-Link DVI can be had from the Mini DisplayPort with a cheap adapter.
Dual-Link DVI or VGA requires an expensive Active Powered converter which can cost US$100.

Question about dual-monitor setup - advanced dock + PCIe card

I just got a Z60t at work. I had been using a dual monitor setup, but it doesn't look like my current config is going to fly w/ the new machine. Anyway, here's what I've got:
Primary monitor: Acer AL2416W (1920x1200 DVI)
Secondary monitor: Dell 1901FP (1280x1024 VGA)
I've read that the advanced dock might be able to let me use this setup with the Z60t if i put a PCIe video card in it. So here are my questions:
1. Will the advanced dock + PCIe video card allow me to run the two monitors listed above (I don't use the laptop screen at all)?
2. Which PCIe cards are compatible with the advanced dock?
3. Can I achieve the same resolutions with the advanced dock + PCIe card?
4. Will I need to split the VGA output, or can i use VGA + DVI like I do now (since the Z60t has no native DVI support)?
thanks!

Gary -- don't turn on the OS Display Mirroring. Turn it off.
You want Aperture to control how it uses your dual monitors. (You do not want the OS to determine it.)
Once you've turned off the OS "Display Mirroring", the set-up I specified above should give you what you want.
That set-up is:
"View → Main Viewer → {anything}", and
"View → Secondary Viewer → Alternate"
You must have the Viewer active (not the Browser) in order to change the "Secondary Viewer" setting. If you are in the Browser, activate the Viewer by double-clicking an Image.
Let me know if that doesn't work.

Separate workspaces on dual monitor setup?

Sorry if I leave out any details -- just ask if you need anymore.
A little background information before I begin: I am using 3.12-ck x86_64 kernel, using Cinnamon, and have a dual monitor setup via one graphics card, which is an NVIDIA 560 Ti, and I'm using nvidia-ck-bulldozer
I'm trying to have each monitor have its own Workspace instead of just being one large desktop, but I'm not exactly sure how. The only solution I've found so far is:
1) Right click the panels on Monitor #1 and choose "New Panel" -- (This is where my problem lies; there is no "New Panel" option)
2) Then hold Alt and click and drag the new panel to Monitor #2 -- (I also cannot even move my current panel from monitor via clicking + key combos; I have to change the primary monitor in Cinnamon System Settings)
But, as I said, this solution doesn't work for me. What exactly should I do?
Edit:
Forgot to mention, I'm using Cinnamon version 2.0.14
Last edited by DealerNextDoor (2013-12-25 06:39:25)

I am using the same version as you right now, but I couldn't find out what you are searching for. I think this is because this feature doesn't exist yet. See https://github.com/linuxmint/Cinnamon/issues/130

Mobile dual monitor setup

What is the best way to setup up dual monitors with a laptop? I have different screens at home and at work and would like to be able to switch between them and having no second monitor.
One option I was considering was having multiple xorg.conf files and swapping them as necessary. Would I need to restart X after the switch or is there some command to get X to re-read the config files? Is this even a good apporach?

here's a wiki page that tells some basic stuff about dual monitors using a single xorg file... you will likely have to use your own monitor driver but it will give you the basics.
http://www.easylinuxguide.com/wiki/inde … al_Display

Indesign CS3 Crashes Randomly on Windows x64, Dual Monitor Setup

My coworker and I just had our computers upgraded Windows XP 64-bt on the following computer setup:
Intel Core i7 920 2.66Ghz CPU
8GB DDR3 RAM
Gigabyte GA-EX58 Intel X58 Motherboard
1TB Seagate ES.2 7200rpm 32MB Cache SATAII Hard Drive
We're running CS3. Indesign keeps crashing on her machine, randomly from what we can tell. It runs fine on my machine.
We are running Indesign in compatibility mode for Windows XP on both machings (the crashing was much worse before we turned it on).
The only difference between my computer and the workstation where Indesign CS3 crashes is she has a dual monitor setup.
Any thoughts on what might be causing it?

Thanks for the heads up.We're actually kinda banking on Windows 7 to be a bit more stable and switch to that, but it's a long few months when your program crashes every few minutes.
I just realized that we don't have the latest update (5.0.4) on her machine, we've downloaded it and are hoping that will help to at least reduce the crashing...

Anyone Experience Frequent LR3.5 x64 Crashes on Dual Monitor Setup?

Hello everyone. My name is Ronald and thank you for reading my concern regarding my trial version of LR3.5 x64 crashing frequently on my dual monitor setup.
I am running Win7 Professional x64 on my Core i5 750 with 16 GB of DDR3 SDRAM. I have the latest ATI drivers for my Radeon HD 4650 installed. I don't have any extraneous software running simultaneously or in the background. I have my MediaMonkey 4 (audio software) playing as I edit my photographs.
I am recently experiencing frequent LR 3.5 x64 crashes when I am editing in the Develop Module. On my second monitor, I have the grid display of ALL of my RAW files from the session—normally 200 frames. I normally experience the crash when I am bulk copying and pasting my develop settings. Will you please guide me how I would troubleshoot and perhaps helping me take note of when the crash occurs? For example, does the crash occurs when briefly starting LR or does the crash occur after prolong use of LR, etc.
I am humbled before you and THANK YOU for your desire to render assistance.
With warmest sincerity,
Ron

I have Win 7 Ultimate, thouvgh on a lesser machine (two processors, 4G). I'm usually running it with two monitors. I've never had a crash. But I don't do bulk copying and pasting of develop settings. (I'm lucky to get 4 keepers from a day of shooting into LightRoom, and they each need an individual tweak)
Also, I have the grid on the primary monitor and the second monitor has the results.
Since you think it might be significant, try not playing music.

Maximising Safari on a dual-monitor setup (GUI behaviour in Window XP Pro)

When I maximise Safari on the 2nd monitor of my two-monitor setup, it disappears off-screen (but its icon still remains in the XP taskbar) and I am unable to bring it back into the viewable area. Consequently, I have to close Safari and reopen it to continue.
When I maximise Safari on the 1st monitor it fills the screen as I'd expect.
Windows XP Pro

Confirmed on another Dell D610/Windows XP dual-monitor setup.
However, when I maximise safari on the secondary monitor it still appears on the task bar, enabling me to right-click and Restore the window (whereupon it reappears).
Jon

Dual monitor setup with seperate resolutions

hey guys!
i currentley run thye latest version of archlinux with the cinnamon desktop environment and an nvidia geforce 7300SE graphics card.
im running a dual monitor setup with one 27" 1920x1080 monitor and one 27" 1024X768 monitor
because they have the same physical size they line up perfectley but because the resolution is different programs/mouse cursor movement doesnt, is there any way (without changing the resolutions) to compensate this effect so that in the eyes of linux/cinnamon the monitors line up so that for example dragging a window goes seamlessley between the 2 monitors.
i HAVE found out the panning option in the nvidia x server settings, but that really isnt what i am looking for...
Last edited by RikSolo (2014-08-04 11:25:02)

A magnifier following the window down to the pixel, zooming to the exact size of 540 pixels the 384 pixels window could create an illusion of just that. It would be highly impractical however, not mention all the hacking time. Even if you would manage to get two screen with different sized icons, so that they match visually, the windows and fonts resizing on the fly, wmctrl might help with windows alone, no their themes (buttons, borders thickness etc.), you would still be left with a visually differently sized mouse cursor. Technically such a feat should be possible, but who is going to code it? Nvidia?
Last edited by emeres (2014-08-04 18:48:59)

Dual monitor setup from laptop

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