T60 + Advanced Mini-Dock = How Many Monitors?

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bigswede · #1 Post by **bigswede** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 4:38 am

If I have my T60 plugged into the Advanced Mini Dock which has a DVI + VGA port why can't I run 2 external monitors using these ports and also see the T60 LCD for a total of 3 monitors?

I am guessing this is a video card limitation.

As an alternative, can I run 2 external monitors by closing the T60 and use an external keyboard? If so, how do I set it up so it doesn't go to sleep when I close the lid?

My video card in the T60 is the ATI Radeon X1400 512MB.

foodle · #2 Post by **foodle** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:55 am

I'm currently running a T60p in the mini dock driving out to 2 LCDs (one DVI, one VGA). If your machine goes to sleep, just use the power button on the dock (top left) to wake it up.

#3 Post by **tomh009** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:08 am

bigswede wrote:If so, how do I set it up so it doesn't go to sleep when I close the lid?

Start > Settings > Control Panel > Power Options > Advanced

Then set "When I close the lid of my portable computer" to "Do nothing".

#4 Post by **RonS** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:29 am

The video adapter (X1300) provides for two displays. When you use the external VGA, it uses the video port normally used by your internal LCD.

With the mini-dock, there are still ways to expand the number of video outputs: PCMCIA, ExpressCard or USB video adapters, use MaxiVista, etc.

bigswede · #5 Post by **bigswede** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:27 pm

Anyone have any preference or experience with external monitor solutions?

I have found:
VTBook - PCMCIA Card, can support dual monitors with adapter (That would give me a total of 4 displays including the T60)

Matrox TripleHead2Go/DualHead2Go - virtualization software it appears, not sure how this would work with some of my applications and other downsides.

Other ideas? I hear ASUS is coming out with something called the "XG Station"

I am building a stock market trading platform if that helps.

bigswede · #6 Post by **bigswede** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:31 pm

Regarding the lid and external monitors, is there a way to keep the lid open, but shut off the T60 LCD, that way I can access the keyboard on the T60 without relying on an external keyboard?

By the way, I tried your settings suggestion and it worked (lid closed & both external monitors appear now).

#7 Post by **tomh009** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 4:05 pm

You should be able to shut off the built-in LCD panel (but keep the two external panels running) using Presentation Director.

T60 + Advanced Mini-Dock = How Many Monitors?

T60 + Advanced Mini-Dock = How Many Monitors?

Re: T60 + Advanced Mini-Dock = How Many Monitors?

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