Is it possible to connect two monitors to a computer when the video card allows? This question is increasingly being asked by Internet users. The new space provided by the optional monitor means it can easily become multi-tasking. This can be, on the one hand, music software, Twitter channels and e-mail, and on the other, an open browser window. All modern laptops and desktop computers have additional video outputs for connecting a second display, so screen duplication is a technically feasible task.
Setting up dual monitors in Windows 7
Microsoft has provided three good features for those who plan to use dual monitors, so this procedure is available for configuration even for not very advanced users. Connecting two monitors to a computer on Windows 7 is very simple, after which you can duplicate the same point of viewing content on both monitors or drag and drop any content onto a second monitor and vice versa.
You can expand the visibility range to another monitor - open one program on one monitor and another on the second, or close the first monitor and completely switch to viewing the second. This is useful for users who do not want to view anything from their PC screen, but want to watch, for example, video from a larger external monitor.
Before starting the procedure, you must connect the second screen to the PC and turn on its power.
Monitor Duplication Methods
Method 1. Using the keyboard. You need to press Logo Key + P on your keyboard. Windows will provide three connection options, as well as the “Computer Only” option by default.
Method 2. Function " Monitor Resolution ". How to connect two monitors to the same video card when Windows 7 software is installed on the computer? To do this, right-click on the screen and select the "Screen Resolution" option. Click on the option “Multiple displays”, “Extend these displays” or “Duplicate these displays”. If the Multiple Display function is not found in the drop-down list, then click on Detect. If this does not work, restart the computer and follow steps 1 and 2 again.
Connecting a monitor to a laptop
This is actually not an easy task. Modern laptops offer only one port that can be used to connect a monitor: HDMI, VGA, DVI or DisplayPort. Some of them may require an adapter, which is not always supplied. How to connect two monitors to a laptop when there are no ports necessary for a take screen? The simplest solution is to choose a second monitor with the appropriate port and connect it.
This is a simple case of setting up Windows to use both screens.
Step 1. Find a spare connection on your laptop and make sure that you have the required cable and connect it to the monitor. Connect the port to the corresponding port on the new screen, and it should automatically detect the new screen (otherwise, change the port).
Step 2. Click “Start”, “Settings” and “System”. Find the Screen menu (default) to achieve settings such as orientation, size, and brightness.
Step 3. There may be different configurations:
- Duplicate: The second monitor displays the primary monitor.
- Extension: the desktop of your PC extends through two monitors and allows you to have a desktop that covers both screens.
- Show either 1 or 2: only one of the displays will be used (click "Identify" to find out the numbers).
Step 4. Adjust the resolution to improve the quality of the text and video displayed on the screen. In the “Screen” option you need to select “Additional display options.” Use the drop-down list to adjust the screen resolution. You must use the recommended Windows resolution for each display.
Analog VGA Connection
Windows 7 initially allows you to install a dual monitor that expands or duplicates the display on both monitors. It doesn’t matter if one monitor uses the analog VGA interface and the other uses the digital DVI interface. While both screens are functioning and connected to a PC, you can use them to configure. Such a device significantly improves productivity, especially when multiple windows are required to be opened simultaneously.
How to connect two VGA-monitors, if there is no necessary port? Connect the VGA cable from the PC VGA port to the VGA monitor. If your computer has only two DVI connections, use a DVI-VGA adapter to convert one of the DVI to the computer. This is a simple adapter that connects between your VGA cable and PC DVI input. Connect the DVI monitor cable from the DVI port to the DVI screen. If you need to convert a VGA port to a DVI port, you can use a VGA-DVI converter. However, these converters are significantly more expensive than DVI to VGA.
Plug both screens into a power outlet and boot the computer. Right-click on the screen and select “Screen Resolution”. Click the Multiple Displays option and click Extend These Displays to expand the desktop on both monitors. Alternatively, click Duplicate These Displays to show the same graphic on both monitors. Click OK to enable dual monitors.
Additional devices for screen duplication
Studies show that having a dual monitor on a computer can increase productivity by 20-50%. The purchase of a second or third additional monitor is now a very affordable option with prices up to $ 99 for a 20-inch monitor. How to connect two monitors via VGA, DVI or HDMI connection when the port to be connected is unknown? Before installing an additional monitor, you need to know that the computer is capable of supporting an additional screen.
Most computers have either a VGA, DVI, or HDMI connection and vary greatly depending on the model. This means that you can either immediately add a second monitor or you may have to add a video card or use special adapters to duplicate and expand the screen on multiple monitors.
If the old PC has only one video output (VGA), in order to add a second monitor, you must add a splitter or video card. How to connect two monitors if there is an additional DVI input? In this case, you can run two monitors at the same time. DVI on one monitor and VGA on a second monitor. To connect, you can add an additional video card to the computer that allows you to simultaneously run two DVI and VGA monitors. There are computers that are equipped with HDMI, which also allows duplication of HDMI screens on one and VGA on the second. The second screen is selected by the connector installed on the computer.
Types of monitor connection
They come in several structural types:
- VGA connector (left);
- DVI (right);
- HDMI (top left);
- DVI (bottom left);
- VGA (right).
You can also expand your computer to use two, three, or more screens using one of the different cables:
- VGA splitter
- HDMI Splotter
- DVI splitter
- USB splitter for DVI and VGA.
Choosing a cable for installing an additional screen
To get a two-screen display, you need two things: a spare monitor and a suitable cable. The required cable depends on the outputs available on the back of the screen.
How to connect two monitors if the computer does not have the required port? There is a special adapter adapter for this. They work well with laptops, Ultrabooks, desktops, and other devices that have an HDMI port.
Adapter Features:
- The lightweight HDMI to VGA option connects all compatible HDMI devices to a projector or VGA monitor.
- To improve compatibility, an active microcircuit is installed in the device.
- The included Micro-USB increases power for devices with a low-power port; HDMI-VGA provides resolutions up to 1920 x 1080.
- To protect against corrosion, the device is equipped with gold-plated connectors that improve signal performance.
Toshiba DynaDock Dock
How to connect two monitors to one computer with a universal docking station? Toshiba DynaDock is the ultimate docking station. Its purpose is not limited to Toshiba computers. Any laptop using Microsoft Windows with a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port can use this amazing device. Toshiba DynaDock can satisfy any need, such as large screens, high-quality speaker system, mouse, keyboard and external drives connected to it. To access, simply plug in the USB cable from DynaDock to your laptop. It can connect 2 external displays via an internal HD graphics card. Audio is supplied via the HDMI port or standard 3.5 mm audio jacks. Therefore, at work or at home, you can get a complete video system from a laptop. Even the largest displays support the maximum resolution of 2048 x 1152, you can run two on DynaDock, and if you need a third, you can use your built-in display to launch three screens at the same time.
Dell WD15 Dock
How to connect two monitors to a computer using a dock if you need 4K format? The Dell WD15 is a black boxed solution that looks pretty elegant. The bottom of the dock is made of non-slip material that prevents it from moving around the table. As for the available ports, this device has HDMI, mini DisplayPort and a VGA port on the back. There is also an Ethernet port, two USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0. Of course there is a 3.5 mm and power port. Ahead are two USB 3.0, as well as a headset jack. If you need to protect the station, there is a Kensington lock slot. The station supports 4K. This is a very decent laptop dock and costs about $ 170.
Plugable USB-C Triple Display Dock
This docking station can work simultaneously with three displays. The device has a height of 6.9 inches and comes with a built-in stand, so you can only use it in an upright position.
How to connect two monitors to one computer using Plugable USB, if you need two HDMI ports? As for the ports, this dock has two HDMI ports, one for 4K video and one for 2K video. There is also a DVI port, an Ethernet connector, three USB 3.0 ports and a USB Type-C port for connecting the dock to a laptop. It should be noted that the USB Type-C port is used for both charging and data transfer. On the front side of the station there is a USB Type-C port, a USB 3.0 port and headset jacks. The dock comes with a USB Type-C cable, DVI-VGA adapter, and power adapter. If 4K resolution and a plug-in USB-C Triple Display Dock are required, then this is the most ideal device. If there is no Type-C port, you can use an adapter, but then it will be problematic to use 4K resolution. Overall, this is a great docking station, and it can be bought for $ 179.
Screen mirroring troubleshooting
Can I connect two monitors when my computer has two video cards and the card manufacturers are different? Sometimes it can be difficult to get Windows 7 to see a second display, usually when a computer has two integrated video cards from different manufacturers. Usually it uses a single card by default, and if the display card is not disconnected from VGA mode, the computer starts a self-test of the second card in POST mode.
Most users will want to keep the first graphics card as their primary display, so they need to know how to prevent this unwanted POST from appearing. If the video card uses a jumper block or switch to disable VGA mode, this option makes it easy to use the card as an additional card, since the main card requires VGA mode.
Many desktop systems with integrated video automatically turn it off when you install any video card (PCI, AGP or PCIe), which makes it necessary to install two video cards (or a multi-monitor video card) to get multi-monitor support. How to connect two monitors in this case after loading Windows 7 with an additional card? The system detects a card, installs drivers, and initializes an additional card. If the card is successfully initialized, you can see two screens on the Windows desktop.
If the secondary monitor screen remains black, check the "Device Manager" list for the video card. If the card is indicated with a yellow exclamation mark, it does not work properly. Reboot the system, change the default display setting in the BIOS, and try again.