Dual monitor questions

[Vagrant0]

I've recently been blessed with a second monitor, and since my videocard supports multiple outputs I decided to hook both of them up. I've got one setup as a main work monitor, and one with the taskbar and all the other misc programs I happen to run in in the background. But had some questions about how I can best make us of 2 seperate displays.

 

1. For a fullscreen application, how do I switch which monitor the cursor is in without disrupting the game... For instance with Oblivion. Do I have to alt+tab or something similar, or is there some sort of trick that doesn't exit out of what I'm doing on the main monitor?

 

2. Is there any way to enable a screensaver or something for the second monitor while I'm doing something primarily in the main one, or do I just need to keep turning it off and on, or just changing the brightness/contrast every time I need to look at something there?

 

Is there anything else I should know about this sort of arrangement which might not be clear?

[Storm Raven]

Vagrant0,

 

I have been using multiple monitor displays for many years.

 

Prior even to Windows 95.

 

Except for Stock trading, I tend to stick with a dual monitor setup.

 

It Oblivion is up and running, it does not like you to alt-tab out of it for any reason.

 

Oblivion does not like to run in a window, full screen is always best.

 

Oblivion will always choose to run on your primary monitor.

 

When I play Oblivion I usually go in to display properties

and uncheck the box for extending my display on to the second monitor.

 

Initially, I thought, how great I can play oblivion and run my web browser in the second window!

 

But it did not work out that way.

 

This is been my experience. Others may have at other experiences. Good luck in your adventures.

 

Storm Raven

[jojo man]

I've been using a dual monitor setup for a few months now, and I love it!!!!!!! I can't really add anything to the discussion, but I can confirm everything that our friend Stormraven said about it.

[WoogieMonster]

Being able to access your second monitor while a game is running (if that is what you're asking) is a feature that has to be set in the game itself. Under Advanced Options, check Break Monitor Border and then select which side you want to move the mouse past. If the primary monitor is on the left side, then select the right border, so when you move the cursor to the right side of the screen it will keep going into the second screen. Then just click something to make that the "on top" program.

 

But don't get your hopes up. I own something around 960-1000 videogames and to my knowledge only two of them support this feature; Supreme Commander and Act of War - High Treason.

 

I wish I could explain better, but at the moment there seems to be a tiny pink elephant sitting on my head.

[bben46]

Unfortunately, Like everyone else, I have not had any luck using my second monitor with Oblivion. However, I can recommend a handy free dual monitor utility called Multimon. It allows you to easily move a program from one monitor to the other with one click. Plus other handy functions for multiple monitors.

 

It's available here: http://www.mediachance.com/free/multimon.htm

 

I use the free version, scroll down and look on the right pane for the download.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of multiple monitors. I doubt if you will ever go back to a single monitor now that you have seen the difference 2 can make.

 

I often have multiple internet sessions open and switch back and forth.

[Vagrant0]

Thanks for the info. But wanted to add another question, which is a bit more technical.

 

The new monitor is second hand, and seems to have some problems. Every now and then the picture cuts off, then cuts back on again. I already tried looking for information about the particular make of the monitor, however it seems to have been made or distributed by some lesser known manufacturer. Windows can only identify it as a "plug and play monitor". The panel in the back offers the company name Micro*reflex and the model number Fx*8000 and notes that it was made in 1998. I would have expected windows to be able to identify the manufacturer.

 

The problem seems like it's a bad connection somewhere within the enclosure, or a bad capacitor. When I turn off the monitor, there's some clicking rather than the usual sort of static sound. The previous owner didn't have any explaination, and didn't notice it happening for them. I've already tried changing the video settings, refresh rates, and about everything else I can think of without any luck.

 

It is believed that the monitor had sat around for a few years collecting dust, and hasn't had much use. It was free though, so there's no feeling of being taken. Does the monitor just need to warm up, or is it on its last legs? I've already switched back to using a single monitor, so it's nothing wrong with the videocard or anything like that.

[bben46]

That clicking on shut down sounds like it may have a bad flyback transformer. That's the high voltage supply for the CRT (about 25000 volts) They arc over when the insulation starts to fail.

 

The picture cutting off then on again, accompanied by a click or pop sound is another indication of an arcing flyback.

 

Sometimes they will settle down after a few minutes. If it does, its better to leave it on all of the time so it doesn't have to go through the 'shock' of starting up so often. That might make it last a little longer.

 

If the monitor sat idle for a long time it may be arcing through the accumulated dust on the transformer. If you can, open it up and blow out the dust, especially around the flyback transformer.

Be sure to unplug it first - note the 25,000 That's Twenty Five Thousand volts - probably wont kill you, but it does hurt - first hand knowledge.

 

This might help your problem for a while, but once a flyback starts to arc it will eventually fail. As old as the monitor is, it's not really worth repairing.

 

Here is a link to a Wiki article on Flyback Transformers - it has a pic so you can identify it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flyback_transformer.

[RelicKylias]

Thanks for the info. But wanted to add another question, which is a bit more technical.

 

The new monitor is second hand, and seems to have some problems. Every now and then the picture cuts off, then cuts back on again. I already tried looking for information about the particular make of the monitor, however it seems to have been made or distributed by some lesser known manufacturer. Windows can only identify it as a "plug and play monitor". The panel in the back offers the company name Micro*reflex and the model number Fx*8000 and notes that it was made in 1998. I would have expected windows to be able to identify the manufacturer.

 

The problem seems like it's a bad connection somewhere within the enclosure, or a bad capacitor. When I turn off the monitor, there's some clicking rather than the usual sort of static sound. The previous owner didn't have any explaination, and didn't notice it happening for them. I've already tried changing the video settings, refresh rates, and about everything else I can think of without any luck.

 

It is believed that the monitor had sat around for a few years collecting dust, and hasn't had much use. It was free though, so there's no feeling of being taken. Does the monitor just need to warm up, or is it on its last legs? I've already switched back to using a single monitor, so it's nothing wrong with the videocard or anything like that.

 

Its sounds like the connection could have been damaged when they gave it to you. Did you purchase online (ex. eBay) or was it given to you by someone???

[Vagrant0]

I cracked the thing open. Very little dust inside. It came from someone I know, by car, so chances of something happening in transport are unlikely. Looked around. plugged it in, taking great care not to touch anything other than the power switch. It was hard to tell, but the clicking sounded like it was coming from the back of the picture tube. Saw no visual sparks of any kind, even did a test with the lights off.

 

Any other ideas?

[Vagrant0]

Decided to just use it until it dies, it's been acting up less and less lately, so hopefully that's good. I've also been turning it off at the back, rather than the button in front, which I think has helped somewhat. I have my taskbar and other major components on the other monitor, so if something sudden happens I shouldn't be too SOL.

 

One problem I've noticed however is that certain 3d graphics only work in one of the monitors or not at all... In particular Nifscope and Google earth. So I'm wondering if anyone knows why this is, and what I can do to solve it (other than disabling one of the monitors).