Page 1 of 1
T60 + Advanced Mini-Dock = How Many Monitors?
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 4:38 am
by bigswede
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.
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:55 am
by foodle
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.
Re: T60 + Advanced Mini-Dock = How Many Monitors?
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:08 am
by tomh009
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".
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:29 am
by RonS
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.
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:27 pm
by bigswede
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.
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:31 pm
by bigswede
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).
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 4:05 pm
by tomh009
You should be able to shut off the built-in LCD panel (but keep the two external panels running) using Presentation Director.