I would agree with Nerd and say that you probably will not be able to use the on-board video port. And besides, the on-board video ports usually are not that good, so it might be a better option anyway to just buy a relatively inexpensive video card anyway. But I just have to say again, whatever it takes to get the second monitor running, it is worth it!
Also, just to clarify, a second monitor basically acts as an extension of your old monitor, that’s all. So you can take any windows or programs, or anything and place them on the second monitor. And the monitors do not have to be the same size, i.e. two 21’ or two 19’. It can be a 21’ and a 19’ or a 12’ and a 14’. I am not sure about resolutions though, I guess I’ll have to check, I’ve never tried that before. On my Mac I have my application bar on my second monitor, along with some frequently used aliases and stuff hat. Then when I use Photoshop I have all the palettes moved over to the second monitor so that my work has the largest amount of space. And then it is also great for some games. So just do it have have fun!
Well now. I’ve completely torn apart the computer and have come up with some new issues.
The previous onboard port that I’ve mentioned are in fact TWO ports. One port says one and the other two. They’re both male sockets so I can’t just plug in the second monitor and go.
What the Hell are these extra ports for? I don’t recall the salesman saying anything about them. And now the more I look, it seems I have NO onboard video port to speak of. Are these T.V. ports? It doesn’t make any sense to me.
To be specific, the ports both have monitor symbols next to them specifying one and two. They are both male. They look like monitor ports. No the monitor ports to speak of.
Just a guess, but those “monitor” ports are probably actually serial ports. It’s quite common for there to be 2 of those on the motherboard. How many pins do they each have?
FOr W98, I pushed START, then H, then input ‘monitor’ & lucky me, the instructions are there:
To install a secondary monitor
Turn off your computer.
Insert your PCI or AGP video adapter into an available slot.
Turn on your computer.
Windows detects the new video adapter and installs the appropriate drivers. You may be asked to restart several times. Click No until you are told you must restart, and then click Yes.
Notes
To use the multiple display support feature, you need a PCI or AGP video adapter for each monitor.
Your primary monitor is the one that displays the items on your desktop when you start your computer.
The full-screen MS-DOS window always appears in the primary monitor.
The ports I’ve previously discussed are in fact serial ports. Becoming quite frustrated at having a monitor but no port to put it on, I faintly remember having another video card at my parents house, a result of an upgrade. I scurry down to the house and Viola! there it is. It’s a Rage fury II AGP. I come back and install it on my PC. Fantastic.
All goes well. To good to be true.
I go to plug in the monitor… and… well… it’s not the right kind of monitor. It turns out it’s not a PC compatible monitor. Sure looks like one to ME! I’m distraught. I had visions of a two monitor computer center in my apartment. Oh well, save some money and take the other posters advice and eventually hook up a new one.
All this had led me to hijack my own thread once again.
Seeing that I have both an AGP Rage Fury II card and a PCI Voodoo32000 card, which should I choose? I love the graphics, GL etc., enhancements of the Vooodoo but keep hearing of all the advantages of an AGP card. Well?
The light at the end of the tunnel is close. Thanks to all that have struggled through my previous posts!!
I’d personally stick with the Voodoo (If I’m remembering their respective specs correctly). Factors such as the amount of onboard memory, and relative chips speeds far outway the difference between PCI and AGP.
Then again, that’s from a gamer’s perspective, so you may value things differently.
check out http://www.anandtech.com for reviews on both cards.