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I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

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JEN
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Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 10:37 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada

I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#1 Post by JEN » Sat Dec 12, 2015 11:08 pm

I have a ThinkPad Edge 15 TYPE: 0319-3SU and I have 2 external monitors that I would like to use in conjunction with the built in display.

One monitor is connected with VGA and the other is connected with an HDMI cable and a DVI adapter. All the monitors work - and I can get any 2 of the 3 working at one time - but I can't get all 3 to work at once.

I have Intel HD Graphics but it only appears to allow 2 monitors. In the image below, the screen on the left is what I have... and the screen on the right is one I found online that leads me to believe that it's possible to get 3 monitors working...
I do have the latest video driver installed - (8.15.10.2622)
Can anyone suggest what I need to do to extend my desktop across all 3 monitors?

http://i.imgur.com/gceZ9tU.png?1

ZaZ
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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#2 Post by ZaZ » Sat Dec 12, 2015 11:49 pm

I don't believe the Intel GPUs of that era support three LCDs.
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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#3 Post by dr_st » Sun Dec 13, 2015 3:05 am

I agree. 2 is the most you can go. I believe Ivy Bridge-based iGPUs (Core iX-3*** CPUs) are the first with >2 monitors support.
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StarGehzer
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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#4 Post by StarGehzer » Sun Dec 13, 2015 10:18 am

Does anyone know if some USB adapter would make it work?
Over the years... 760XL, X31, X220, & a 2nd X220

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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#5 Post by ZaZ » Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:29 am

Lenovo does make a USB to VGA/DVI adapter, 0B47072, and it supposedly allows for up to six monitors, but it's USB 3.0. Maybe if you got a USB 3.0 card for the ExpressSlot or perhaps there's a third party solution.
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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#6 Post by MikalE » Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:49 pm

Matrox Tripple Head 2Go will get you there.
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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#7 Post by StarGehzer » Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:38 pm

MikalE wrote:Matrox Tripple Head 2Go will get you there.
Specs for that say it connects to the "Single DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort video output".
My laptop only has a VGA and an HDMI output. So the Matrox won't work, unless I'm missing or misunderstanding some info. :(

(By the way, I'm not thread-jacking, Jen is my daughter & I'm trying to help her out)
Over the years... 760XL, X31, X220, & a 2nd X220

JEN
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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#8 Post by JEN » Sun Dec 13, 2015 9:30 pm

Thanks to all of you for trying to help me out with this. (especially you Dad). ;) I really appreciate it.

Today I tried one of these Star tech USB to HDMI External Dual or Multi Monitor Video Adapters...

http://www.startech.com/ca/m/AV/USB-Vid ... o~USB2HDMI

I had to install the driver for it - which took awhile - at the end it kept asking me to reboot my system so I'm not sure if it installed correctly - it was the driver from Startech so should have worked - but afterwards my laptop couldn't detect either of the 2 monitors plugged in!! (the one was still connected with VGA and for the other I used the adapter and HDMI cable with the DVI adapter). So I ended up restoring my system to the last restore point before I installed the adapter. :(

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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#9 Post by MikalE » Mon Dec 14, 2015 9:57 am

StarGehzer wrote:
MikalE wrote:Matrox Tripple Head 2Go will get you there.
Specs for that say it connects to the "Single DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort video output".
My laptop only has a VGA and an HDMI output. So the Matrox won't work, unless I'm missing or misunderstanding some info. :(

(By the way, I'm not thread-jacking, Jen is my daughter & I'm trying to help her out)
http://www.amazon.com/Matrox-T2G-DP3D-I ... plehead2go

I believe the analog version has a provision for a DB15 input display port. The outputs might be DVI or something else for the monitors.

Flight simulator builders have been using this device for years, or for at least as long as it's been available.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

StarGehzer
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Re: I have 3 monitors - but I can only get 2 to work at once

#10 Post by StarGehzer » Mon Dec 14, 2015 1:30 pm

MikalE wrote:
StarGehzer wrote:
Specs for that say it connects to the "Single DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort video output".
My laptop only has a VGA and an HDMI output. So the Matrox won't work, unless I'm missing or misunderstanding some info. :(

(By the way, I'm not thread-jacking, Jen is my daughter & I'm trying to help her out)
http://www.amazon.com/Matrox-T2G-DP3D-I ... plehead2go

I believe the analog version has a provision for a DB15 input display port. The outputs might be DVI or something else for the monitors.

Flight simulator builders have been using this device for years, or for at least as long as it's been available.

Thanks, found it at, http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/produ ... o/digital/
Funny, this model is called 'TripleHead2Go Digital' but will connect to the VGA port.
OUCH!! This is going to be over $300.00 in Canada. :(
Over the years... 760XL, X31, X220, & a 2nd X220

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