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Setting up Multiple Monitors
A Step-by-Step Guide
By: Robert H. Spencer, PhD
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Technologist Dr. Bob Spencer is a big fan of using multiple PC screens to boost productivity. Here he provides a step-by-step guide for setting up multiple monitors, along with additional resources for further support.
Setting up Multiple Monitors.
Industry experts estimate that 180 million people have already replaced their monitors over the last year.
We just discussed considerations around using multiple monitors, and as noted, most operating systems will support more than one display.
In this discussion, we will focus on Windows Vista and XP, as they obviously have the largest user base among accountants.
So let’s say that now you’ve got one or more additional monitors, and I am hoping they are LCD screens for less eye strain. Now what?
Detailed Version - How to Setup Multiple Monitors
If you like to understand each step along the way, here is a more detailed version of setup instructions.
- Monitor Connections
- Check the back of your workstation to see how many monitor connections are present. Many of you will have only one; some will have a 15-pin VGA, and others will have a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) connector port. Many multi-media systems from Hewlett Packard and others have both VGA and DVI ports. My experience with these is that each will support a separate monitor, giving you the ability to immediately support dual monitors with no additional costs.
15 Pin SVGA Monitor Port DVI Monitor Port
If your monitors and system port connector are different, pick up a connector converter from your local electronics store or via the internet; svideo.com is one such source. - If you only have a single monitor port, and your workstation can be expanded (that is, if you take the cover off and see that there are open ports where a video card can be plugged in), then it is simple to add a single head or dual head video card. These will cost as little as $69 up to several hundred dollars. Accountants do not need high-end video quality graphics cards, so assume you will purchase a card in the $159 - $259 range. (Computer geeks love www.Newegg.com and www.TigerDirect.com for good buys and quality hardware.)
If you are not the hardware mechanic type, and I can relate to that, then I advise people to simply unplug their system and take it down to a local electronics store. A Best Buy, Office Depot or Staples may be able to help. Tell them you want to add an additional monitor and need a card. The sales person will make a recommendation to fit your wallet, and most have a technician on hand that will install and test the card for around $35.00 in many locations.
Note: Windows will support up to 8 monitors, which some may balk at, but check out the possibilities before you pass judgment at Digital Tigers, a company that specializes in multi-screen displays.
Dr. Bob’s Kentucky Office Setup
- Set Up Your Monitors
- Your monitors do not have to be the same type or size. As shown in the above photo, I have monitors of different sizes and resolution. I do caution you not to use older tube monitors in combination with LCD monitors, because the older tube monitors will most likely cause severe headaches and stress. (For more on why you should be using LCD monitors, see related article.)
- Plug in your monitors to your workstation
- For desktops, these connectors will most likely be in the back. Some of the newest desktops and laptops also have an HDMI port, which may be connected to high resolution LCD/TV’s that support HDMI, and you can use this port as an external display port as well. Read your LCD/TV manual for setup for the HDMI port.
- For laptops, the external video connector will be on the side or back. Most laptops will support a second external display which can be configured as an extended monitor, or as a duplicate display (for projectors or larger external monitor for desk work.) There have been a number of reports of Dell laptop models that have an external monitor port, but DO NOT support extended desktop display, so these models only duplicate the laptop display. For users of these laptops, or those who wish for more than the laptop LCD and one external monitor, there are several USB, PC Card and ExpressCard port solutions. I have tested several of these solutions, which run under $200 and can be found at:
- Configure the Operating System
- In a few cases, all monitors may simply come up when you boot your computer. However, this is rare and only happens where the system had been previously configured for multiple monitors.
- Windows XP users, after your system boots, right click anywhere within your desktop and select Properties to view your Display Properties window. Then click on the Settings tab. You will see a window like the one below. Click on each monitor and set your screen resolution and modify your color setting if applicable. It is usually best to leave the color setting to the driver default for best results. Then click inside the check box to “Extend my Windows Desktop on this monitor and click on either O.K. or Apply. In some cases, where you have monitors that use advanced drivers and software, such as NVIDIA, as well as monitors that rotate between portrait and landscape, you will install the monitor drivers by inserting the supplied Optical disk and running setup. In those cases, click on the Display windows drop down and choose the appropriate monitor type to use its drivers. Each monitor selected may use its own drivers.
Windows XP "Display Properties" Window
- Vista works the same way, with some minor changes to the Properties window display process. On a Vista machine, right click on the desktop and select Personalize, then click on Display Settings. From this window, the settings are the same. Notice that each monitor is numbered. If you are not sure which monitor is which, because this is based on which port each monitor is attached to in the back of your desktop, click on the Identify Monitors button and a large number will appear on each display. Also note that, by simply clicking on any monitor, you can arrange how you want them to present. For example, you will notice that Monitor 3 below is my 37” display positioned on the wall over my other displays.
Windows Vista Display Settings
A Few Last Notes
On the Display Settings, there is a Windows option to set any of the active monitors as your main monitor. This is the monitor that Windows will use to display the Start button and Task Bar. This is also the default display monitor for new applications to open. The Advanced Settings button should not be used unless you really know what you are doing, as changing settings here could literally smoke your monitor!
Now that your monitors are installed and ready to provide you with a more productive work experience, you will benefit from spending some time getting used to them. When you first open applications, they will open on your main monitor, right-click on the window name bar at the top and drag the window to the monitor you wish to use for that application. When you close the application, Windows will remember that monitor as the home monitor for that application and it should open there until you move it to another monitor.
When you want to display a window across multiple monitors, simply click on a window border and drag it across other monitors. The monitor bezels (the edges) will be a little awkward at first, but you will get used to it.
Additional Resources
For most people, setup will be quick and easy. However, if not, here are some options.
- Utility. If you have some special requirements or if you are having issues setting up your monitors, check out Ultramon. Ultramon is a very slick utility to manage and support multiple monitors and works seamlessly with your Windows OS. A full-featured trial version was available for download and a single license version ran $39.95 at the time of writing this article.
- Research. You can research your issues on monitors at Technology Best Practices. Disclosure: I co-edit The Technology Best Practices website, which is sponsored by K2 Enterprises, a CPE provider for whom I often serve as Instructor.
Dr. Bob Spencer is an internationally recognized writer, lecturer and consultant. You may e-mail him drbob@tsif.com, or visit him at Twenty Seconds In the Future.
Last Updated: 02/23/2009
