Manual
Installing a Video Card that Supports Dual
Monitors
Denzann Ellis
Contact: dme06@fsu.edu
07 November 2010
Project Name: Dual Monitor Set-Up Manual Author: Denzann Ellis
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ………………………………...... 3
Components Needed …………………………… ...…… 4
How – To – Steps ………………………………………. 5
Additional Resources …………………………………… 9
Conclusion ……………………………………………….. 10
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Project Name: Dual Monitor Set-Up Manual Author: Denzann Ellis
Executive Summary
The purpose for creating this manual is to
provide a written supplement for the Video Tutorial. The objective of this tutorial is to enable a
user install a video card that will support dual monitors. The idea is that both monitors will
perform the same duty as a single monitor, thus increasing the workspace of your desktop area.
I will be describing the step by step process of installing a video card into the machine as well
as installing the software that will help the hardware perform its desired function.
Why should we install two monitors, because two is always better than one? And we all know
that we don’t have enough desktop space.
First, we are going to check to see if the current video card supports dual monitors since
manufacturers are seeing the growing need of consumers purchasing new cards to support this
feature. If the card has two connections a single Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector or a
single Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector then we will need to purchase an adaptor that
support both VGA and both DVI since it is not possible to connect to different types of graphical
output. Or we could purchase a video card that has two VGA or DVI connectors.
Secondly, we will install the software that will enable the video card (if purchased), to function as
desired. Follow the steps of the install wizard provided. Each wizard varies depending on the
software provider.
And lastly, we will change the display setting to support an extended screen; which means
changing both monitors to display as a single screen. You should now have successfully
installed a video card that supports dual monitors.
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Project Name: Dual Monitor Set-Up Manual Author: Denzann Ellis
Components Needed
1. Video Card
The video card you choose to use depends on your preference. In this tutorial I
chose to use the NVIDIA FX 3450, a high powered and good quality digital output
card that reads well with the Windows Operating System. Other good
recommendations for video cards include: ATI Radeon HD any version.
2. Video Graphics Array(VGA)/Digital Visual Interface(DVI)
Adapters
Depending on your monitor and video card you will need either both the same
adaptors or one of each as seen in the video.
3. Video Card Installation Software
When purchasing your video card make sure that it includes the software that
enables your drivers to locate and use the video card being installed. Without the
proprietary drivers for you card, your monitors may not display as desired; thus
disabling the purpose of the newly installed video card.
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Project Name: Dual Monitor Set-Up Manual Author: Denzann Ellis
How –To - Steps
1. Power off and unplug all equipment.
a. To prevent static shock, electrocution and/or damage to hardware it is highly
advised that you unplug everything.
2. Open Tower and Insert Video Card
a.
b. Ensure the video card sits in the slot correctly.
c. Close the tower after this process.
3. Connect adaptors
a.
b. Adaptors may vary.
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Project Name: Dual Monitor Set-Up Manual Author: Denzann Ellis
4. Connect VGA/DVI Chords to adaptor and monitor
a.
5. Connect all other components
a. I.E. Mouse, Keyboard, etc.
6. It is now safe to plug in your power chord to you tower and plug in you monitors.
7. After powering on equipment, insert media to execute the installation of your
video card
a.
8. Run the software wizard and install the appropriate drivers. (Varies depending on
the hardware installed)
a.
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9. After completing the wizard, it may ask you to restart. At this point you should
restart your machine.
10. After reboot, right click on desktop and choose Properties/Personalize
a.
11. Click on Display/Display Settings
a.
12. Click on Multiple Monitors or select the newly installed video card.
a.
13. Select Extend Desktop/Extended Displays.
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Project Name: Dual Monitor Set-Up Manual Author: Denzann Ellis
a.
14. You should now have a function Dual Monitor Setup.
a.
Additionally, if displays are in reverse order i.e. the main desktop is on the right and
extended is on the left and you want to reverse the order. Unplug the monitors from the video
card and reverse the order of the chords.
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Project Name: Dual Monitor Set-Up Manual Author: Denzann Ellis
Additional Resources
For setting up dual monitors of Macs please visit:
The Web Sqeeze Blog
http://www.thewebsqueeze.com/web-design-tutorials/create-your-own-dual-monitor-setup.html
For other cool Tutorials:
Check out Google.com and Youtube.com
References:
Video Cards: http://internetgames.about.com/od/hardware/tp/tpvideocards.htm
Hardware: http://www.nvidia.com/page/home.html
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Document Number / Version Number: 1.0 dme06@fsu.edu
Project Name: Dual Monitor Set-Up Manual Author: Denzann Ellis
Conclusion
A novice user is now able to disassemble and reassemble a machine to install a video
card which supports dual monitors, install software that supports the hardware and have two
functioning monitors that act as a single screen. The purpose of installing two monitors is to
facilitate increased desktop space for the user. Dual Monitor make multi-tasking easy!
Special thanks to Perry Gilbert – Video Director/Editor and Ms. Melissa Raulston for
material and office uses.
Thank you and visit my Interactive Resume:
http://2007.ispace.ci.fsu.edu/~dme06/ir/index.html
For More Information Contact Me:
dme06@fsu.edu or dellis1987@gmail.com
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