Author Topic: Running dual monitors from one pc.  (Read 2831 times)

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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Running dual monitors from one pc.
« on: November 06, 2009, 02:24:07 AM »
A question for some of you that run more than one monitor from your pc.
Is it possible to run a pc monitor from your serial port? To act as a second monitor?
I have acquired a second serial interfaced monitor and was just wondering if it would be possible.
PS: I tried searching Google but almost every result was to do with monitoring serial lines :-\
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Offline madchimp

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2009, 06:14:32 AM »
Well if you are talking about a monitor as in display then they aren't serial.  They are normally VGA, DVI or HDMI. The VGA looks similar to serial at first glance but you will notice it has three rows of pins instead of the two a serial interface has. You can hook up two diplays as long as your OS supports it and you have either a video card with two outputs or two video cards. Winblowz makes it pretty easy if you have the hardware, you pretty much just have to plug the monitor in and tell windows to use it.
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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2009, 01:45:21 PM »
Ah, thank you for clearing that up for me madchimp!
I have a shitload of video cards laying around but my crappy mb cant take more than one...
I guess ill wait until a suitable tower comes around for me to play around with...
Plus im getting a laptop from the government next week, woot!
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Offline Joker94

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2009, 05:47:48 PM »
Quote from: SmAsH on November 06, 2009, 01:45:21 PM
Plus im getting a laptop from the government next week, woot!

What did you do to have to ge that.
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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2009, 06:09:16 PM »
You know, the government is giving all year 9's in Australia a laptop ;D
Froogle it.
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Offline Joker94

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2009, 06:19:46 PM »
i read something and it said you had to be starting at an NSW public school.

Two probs, 1 i am in SA. And two i have missed out.
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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2009, 06:32:19 PM »
Starting, what?
I thought it was all of year 9 statewide?
http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/highschool/dernsw/index.php
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Offline Joker94

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2009, 06:18:18 PM »
it does not look like a bad laptop.

Can you load your robotics software on there or do you have to get someone else to do it for you. You know, protection against unwanted software and exesive games that the education department is always worring about.
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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2009, 06:46:59 PM »
I think you cant install your own stuff on there...
But everyone are gonna get external HDD's for that.
Hehe, having visions about a little robot made out of that laptop now :D
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Offline Joker94

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2009, 06:51:36 PM »
the external HHD is a good idea
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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2009, 06:59:42 PM »
Yeah, im thinking, if it has enough room inside, to put a 8/16gb usb internally...
Carrying a hd that is as big as the laptop itself around will get annoying...
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Offline Joker94

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2009, 07:32:50 PM »
yeah that is another good idea but i have to wonder if there is enough room in it, the unit looks small. but usbs are getting even smaller as we speak.

Do you hae to give it back at the end of the year.
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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2009, 09:58:10 PM »
If we leave the school we have to give them back, if we go to yr12 we get to keep them.
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Offline Razor Concepts

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2009, 10:45:13 PM »
That sucks, so looks like its techincally the schools property until you graduate...
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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2009, 10:48:30 PM »
Yeah. If they deem you unable to keep it home they keep it at school too... Which sucks...
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Offline Soeren

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #15 on: November 14, 2009, 06:14:06 PM »
Hi,

Quote from: SmAsH on November 06, 2009, 02:24:07 AM
I have acquired a second serial interfaced monitor and was just wondering if it would be possible.
Sounds like it may be a (quite old perhaps) serial terminal (which is a complete computer in itself, used for main frame and mini computer interfacing).
Or... Maybe it's not a serial connection, but just using a Dsub-25 connector?
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Offline SmAsHTopic starter

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Re: Running dual monitors from one pc.
« Reply #16 on: November 14, 2009, 06:25:50 PM »
Nope, i discovered it was a vga connector, not serial...
I now use it for my laptop... Which has a tiny 10" screen... But hey, its free so im happy :D
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