Dual Monitors On A31

[cwirth]

Hello:

I am new to the forum. We have several model A31 Thinkpads in our office. We would like to use two monitors, one being the LCD display and the other a 17" CRT, with each having their on desktop. I connected the CRT monitor into the VGA connector at the back of the computer and all I am getting is the single desktop displayed on both monitors. I went into display properties, settings tab and only see one monitor. I thought that I should see two and select the Extend my Windows desktop selection.

The video card is the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500. I downloaded the latest driver (version 8.062.2-041023m-019104C-IBM) and I still do not see the two monitors in the Setting tab. I also dowloaded the Hydravision software. This will allow multiple desktops but only on one monitor (or both at the same time).

Anyone have any suggestions on what I need to do to get two monitors configured with independent desktops. Thanks.

Charlie

[JHEM]

What OS are you running? W2K doesn't natively support extending the desktop onto a second display without a lot of driver tweaking, if then.

Regards,

James

[cwirth]

I am running Windows 2000 Pro. So there isn't a way to run dual monitors with Win 2k? I am willing to try to tweak the drivers.

[friedrich-eugen]

Hello cwirth,

The Infos posted here, were not quite correct. I do run Windows 2000 still and I do use an external (traditional CRT) monitor (at my office) regularly.

The ATI-Drivers allow to extend/copy the NB-Screen to an external monitor, although this works not as smooth as with Windows XP.

It depends on the capability of the external monitor, to exchange specs / adjust with / to the notbook, too. The tweaking, JHEM wrote of, rather reflects these problems of "communication". At my office, my Siemens 17" display is no problem. At home, a belinea (trade mark, i guess) is a problem, other than my wifes EIZO 21".

You should at least try to adjust and use Your 2nd monitor:

(1)Install the latest drivers (and/or let windows update do it) for the ATI-graphics.
(2) Go to the properties-tab of "Anzeige" (display? I lack the correct MS-wording for it),
(3) Go to the settings-tab there,
(4) Go to the extended-button, press and let open,
(5) Go to the Ati-display-tab there and You will find all monitors detected.

There You may open the settings for each of the detected monitors and You may decided how to use the external monitor (copy/extended ...)

You will have to try a little (do use the hardware adjustment, Your monitor allows via tabs, to "optimize", too)

Happy trails