Two Monitor Support

Original by Joe Natale, K1JN

Requirements

• Requires Win 98 or better.
• Additional videocard (only when the computer has one video output).
• Additional monitor.

General

Using two monitors is easy and once you have used two you won't want to go back to using one.

To use two monitors is easy. The operating system takes care of everything. Just think of the two monitors as one - sitting side by side. You can move windows (apps) around. When you move to the right on the left monitor and reach the edge of the monitor, just continue and you will be on the left edge of the right monitor. So just open up the program you wish to use then move it on to the second monitor just drag it across to where you want it on the second monitor.

You only need one mouse and keyboard the mouse will move smoothly between the two screens just click the mouse on the monitor that is displaying the program that you wish to use and then the keyboard is available to that program. All of the windows setting and commands are available to both monitors and can be different for each.

Just fit a cheap PCI or APG graphics card into your PC and attach a second monitor and check the windows setting in the control panel under display to extend the desktop across the two monitors and then go and have fun.

Also some laptops support dual monitors. I.e. the laptop screen and one attached to it.

The best way to set up two monitors is to have the primary monitor on the left because many programs do not handle negative position numbers. They all should but they don't. If you do it with Primary on left all programs should work and remember positions. N1MM supports negative position numbers.

Is it worthwhile to use two monitors (and what if they have a different size)?

Assuming you know your present card does not have two output connectors? Most all new video cards have dual connectors, however you will need an adapter for one of the connectors. A dual monitor video card with 256 MB memory now cost less than $100. 

Using different sizes (example: 17" and a 15" TFT) doesn't seem to be a problem, with the biggest monitor being the main screen. When using N1MM place windows like packet window, score, multiplier and info window on the smaller/second monitor. Everything else will probably fit on the bigger screen. Windows XP handles them both well. probably a very useful addtion when using N1MM logger.

Two Monitor Setup

Install hardware

Many new computers have already two video outputs on the video card. In that case adding an extra card with a video output is not needed.

• Shut down Windows
• Open the case
• Install a second video card (when needed)
• Attach a monitor.
  • Any card/monitor will do, they don't have to be same as the one already installed, I used a Windows 95 era ATI Rage video card and an old Gateway 2000 CrystalScan monitor.
• Close the case

Software

• Start the computer and reboot
• Windows should find the new card and monitor and install the software.
  • You will get a message on the 2nd monitor that says if you can read this, you can extend your desktop onto this monitor.
• You do that by right clicking on the desktop and click on properties. Click on the settings tab. There will be icons for two monitors. Click on the one numbered 2 and check the box that says extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor.
• Drag the monitor icons to set which is left and which is right.
  • The second monitor is actually an extension of your desktop, it will have the same wallpaper and color scheme. If you move the mouse cursor off the right edge of the left monitor, it shows up on the right monitor. The screen saver runs on the main monitor, but not the 2nd one here.

As far as the windows sticking, it varies by program. Luckily, in the case of N1MM Logger, they stick!

Example Setup

The picture below is a setup example from K1JN during the CQ WPX CW contest.
The left monitor is a 17" set to 1024 x 768 resolution, the right monitor is a 15" set to 800 x 600 resolution.

Left screen windows		Right screen windows
Both Bandmaps		Packet/telnet window
Log window		Info window
Entry window		Available mult's and Q's window
Check partial window		Score Summary window