Help with multiple monitors

Syd,

As long as you have some extra pci slots, you can add extra video cards.

Before you buy any video cards, find out what video card you have, go to the realtimesoft forum and search for systems that are exactly like yours. That will tell you whether anyone else has successfully configured their system with the extra video cards that you're thinking of.

Things to know before searching: os (win98), processor, present video card, future video card(s).

There's a ton of info there.
 
Thanks for the replys. Apparently the Dell tekkies didn't realize you could do multiple monitors on win98 systems (after I showed them some websites that explains it all). I guess my question comes down to:

1. Leave my Nvidia Riva TNT2 32MB M64 AGP card installed in the AGP slot, and install either 1 or 2 more compatible single monitor Nvidia cards in the PCI slots or

2. Install a dual monitor card in a PCI slot such as the Matrox G450 dual-head card.

Either would give me a total of 3 monitors like I want. The question comes down to price and compatibility. Anyone know whether mixing and matching of manufacturers would cause a problem? Sometimes buying single cards is cheaper than buying a dual card.

Thanks all.
 
Originally posted by syd697
Thanks for the replys. Apparently the Dell tekkies didn't realize you could do multiple monitors on win98 systems (after I showed them some websites that explains it all). I guess my question comes down to:

1. Leave my Nvidia Riva TNT2 32MB M64 AGP card installed in the AGP slot, and install either 1 or 2 more compatible single monitor Nvidia cards in the PCI slots or

2. Install a dual monitor card in a PCI slot such as the Matrox G450 dual-head card.

Either would give me a total of 3 monitors like I want. The question comes down to price and compatibility. Anyone know whether mixing and matching of manufacturers would cause a problem? Sometimes buying single cards is cheaper than buying a dual card.

Thanks all.
More...

Mixing manufacturer cards might be a problem. You can't assume you can add a dual head PCI card, either. Best to go with the same mfr. and check whether your proposed card set-up will work OK. Also, check to see if the cards are supported by Win2000 so you don't have to replace them when you upgrade OS. You WILL eventually be there.
 
Just thought I'd let everyone know who helped me out with a multiple monitor setup that I've accomplished the task so far. I installed a 2nd single monitor card on my win98 system for a total of 2 monitors. I know this may seem elementary for some, but I think it was a good step for me. I was just happy that with my limited computer experience that I was actually able to do it.

Anyway, here are my next questions for anyone who still cares to help out:

1. Sometimes my mouse wheel will be able to work and scroll down the pages and sometimes the wheel doesn't work. It always worked all the time before installing the second monitor. Any thoughts on this?

2. When I have certain applications running on monitor 1 and other applications running on monitor 2, how can I save things so that when I boot up again, everything is how I left it? Or do I have to re-drag and re-position all my work everytime I boot up again? Seems a little tedious. If there are tricks and tips, please share with me.

Thanks again everyone.
 
Originally posted by syd697
Just thought I'd let everyone know who helped me out with a multiple monitor setup that I've accomplished the task so far. I installed a 2nd single monitor card on my win98 system for a total of 2 monitors. I know this may seem elementary for some, but I think it was a good step for me. I was just happy that with my limited computer experience that I was actually able to do it.

Anyway, here are my next questions for anyone who still cares to help out:

1. Sometimes my mouse wheel will be able to work and scroll down the pages and sometimes the wheel doesn't work. It always worked all the time before installing the second monitor. Any thoughts on this?

2. When I have certain applications running on monitor 1 and other applications running on monitor 2, how can I save things so that when I boot up again, everything is how I left it? Or do I have to re-drag and re-position all my work everytime I boot up again? Seems a little tedious. If there are tricks and tips, please share with me.

Thanks again everyone.
More...

1. Have you checked card websites to be sure you have most current driver? (The most current driver often does not ship with the card)
2. I've always run Norton System Works for defragger + "One Button Checkup". W98 is so flakey, I doubt I could have kept my system running without Norton. The more monitors and programs/websites you have open, the more trouble W98 will have and the more you'll need Norton to clean things up.

In One Button Checkup, Norton analyzes for several things... especially "registry errors". If you mouse is misbehaving, OBC may have an error to fix.

I can't state strongly enough, that Norton System Works is essential to keep a complex system running, esp on W98. Even with my Win2000 setup, sometimes things get slow or don't work just right. Invariably, I run OBC and discover there is some error. Norton fixes, then all is back to normal. ("System problems" were at least 10 times worse with W98).
 
Originally posted by syd697

1. Sometimes my mouse wheel will be able to work and scroll down the pages and sometimes the wheel doesn't work. It always worked all the time before installing the second monitor. Any thoughts on this?
More...

this could be due to u using different color depths on both monitors. I'd recommend setting both to 16bit.

Originally posted by syd697
2. When I have certain applications running on monitor 1 and other applications running on monitor 2, how can I save things so that when I boot up again, everything is how I left it? Or do I have to re-drag and re-position all my work everytime I boot up again? Seems a little tedious. If there are tricks and tips, please share with me.
More...
this might depend on the programming of the software. If it doesn't save the window positions there's only a little u could do. As far as i know there are third party programs around which have the ability to store window positions for each single program.
 
Thanks for the reply.

Here's another question as I'm trying to get used to this multiple monitor thing.

If I want to drag an open application from one monitor to the other, the window has to be in the "restore" mode and can't be dragged when the window is maximized? This is what I find happening. The only way I can drag a window is if it's NOT maximized. Is this normal? Or am I having bugs with it. Any help is appreciated.
 
Originally posted by syd697
Thanks for the reply.

Here's another question as I'm trying to get used to this multiple monitor thing.

If I want to drag an open application from one monitor to the other, the window has to be in the "restore" mode and can't be dragged when the window is maximized? This is what I find happening. The only way I can drag a window is if it's NOT maximized. Is this normal? Or am I having bugs with it. Any help is appreciated.
More...

Normal... must be in restore mode to be dragged and resized.
Also, I too, use 16 bit color. Suggest using (a) same resolution on both monitors, and (2) LOWEST resolution you can live with... will speed up graphics.... my settings, 1024 x 768, 16 bit color, on 4 monitors.
And if your software does not save your setup, that IS a drag.
 
Gnome,

Thanks for confirming the window dragging for me. Seems a bit tedious to have to resize each window before dragging it, eh? So it seems the only thing bugging me now is my mouse wheel not working. I'll check for new drivers and invest in Norton System Works. Seems like a good overall product to have anyway to keep your PC in tip top.
 
Originally posted by syd697
Gnome,

Thanks for confirming the window dragging for me. Seems a bit tedious to have to resize each window before dragging it, eh? So it seems the only thing bugging me now is my mouse wheel not working. I'll check for new drivers and invest in Norton System Works. Seems like a good overall product to have anyway to keep your PC in tip top.
More...

I thought about whether the cost would be worth it. Must say, would not run a system without it now. All of my computers have it, including my laptop. Besides the all important OBC, the defragger is about 10X faster than W98's. Norton is well worth the cost.
PS My win2000 saves my setup exactly. On my W98, I always had to resize and reposition my TV tuner. Unfortunately, I can't say whether the new setup saving is due to Win2000 or the new card and driver.

Just thought of one more thing. W98 has extended desktop to allow you to use multiple monitors. My graphics package, MetasStock Pro, has a "view" setting to select "full desktop". You'd think that should be selected, but I found that my sizing only saves when "full desktop" is NOT selected. That way, Win2000 controls the desktop instead of the software. You might look for something similar in your package?
 
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