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Displaying two programs on two screens


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For those with some more advanced computer knowledge, especially regarding

video cards in a desktop computer, I have a few questions:

 

Let's assume I have a new but somewhat "low end" desktop computer (perhaps a

Dell Inspiron 560 or 580) running 64-bit Windows with integrated graphics

(Intel GMA X4500) and that I have the computer monitor connected to the VGA

port and a television connected to the HDMI port.

 

The desire is to display one running program (for example, ACBLScore) on the

normal computer screen while displaying another running program (for

example, a Round Timer program) on the television screen.

 

QUESTIONS

 

1. Can I have two programs running and have one displayed on the computer

monitor and one displayed on the television screen using the integrated

graphics?

 

 

2. If so, can I change to have the same program displayed on BOTH screens?

 

 

3. If not, does it take a different (more advanced) separate graphics card

to be installed to be able to do this? What would be a fairly inexpensive

graphics card that would allow this to be done?

 

 

 

Thanks in advance for your assistance,

 

Bud H

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I don't know for sure, but rumor is that this graphic system can display a "clone" of the original screen on the 2nd display.

 

So I guess the answer to your 2nd question is "Yes".

I think the answer to question 1 is "No", because that not the clone mode.

 

I think almost every modern entry graphics adapter from AMD or Nvidia supports at least 2 displays.

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The answer to Q1 is - Yes.

 

I do it all the time (except one screen is a digital monitor, the other an analogue, neither is a TV - but what the heck).

 

I did it under Windows XP, and now under Vista. In both cases on the same computer which is now 6 years old.

 

I run several different programmes with their windows on either screen - although in theory both screens comprise a seamless extended desktop. I can drag windows from one screen to the other - no problem (and I can overlap a window on both screens).

 

jandrew

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The answer to Q1 is - Yes.

 

I do it all the time (except one screen is a digital monitor, the other an analogue, neither is a TV - but what the heck).

 

I did it under Windows XP, and now under Vista. In both cases on the same computer which is now 6 years old.

 

I run several different programmes with their windows on either screen - although in theory both screens comprise a seamless extended desktop. I can drag windows from one screen to the other - no problem (and I can overlap a window on both screens).

 

jandrew

jandrew: It's not at all that simple. He actually needs a video card capable of running two displays, which many integrated cards cannot. Age doesn't really factor in to it.

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jandrew: It's not at all that simple. He actually needs a video card capable of running two displays, which many integrated cards cannot. Age doesn't really factor in to it.

 

I had two monitors on an integrated card.

As long as there are two ports - VGA and HDMI (which Bud H says he has) then the integrated card can cope (at least it did on my computer).

 

jandrew

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Look for it in the advanced properties of your display (right-click of the mouse in the screen for properties and then advanced properties). I'm amazed that integrated graphics allow you to have two displays but if they do you can show two things (or the same thing, whatever you choose) in them.

 

Where are you from?

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One of the more important questions is if this will work with an INTEGRATED graphics card - it sounds likely that it will work.

 

The integrated graphics Intel GMA X4500 is common on low end Dell machines and many competitors as well and has a VGA and an HDMI connection.

 

I would try it out, but a new computer is being purchased for the club (we don't have it yet) and we are determining if a separate video adapter card is needed to be installed - that is the reason for my questions!

 

Bud H

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