Trying to set up 2 monitors on 1 computer without dual out graphics card? Can I use a Serial to USB adapter?

Question

Trying to set up 2 monitors on 1 a laptop without dual out graphics card - in order to extend the desktop space. Can I use a Serial to USB adapter and plug the second monitor in through a USB port?

Answer 1

Dual Monitor Video Cards
http://www.superwarehouse.com/Dual_Monitor_Video_Cards/c3/1884

Two monitors are better than one
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/twomonitors.mspx

Expand Your Workspace with Multiple Monitors and Dualview
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/multimonitor.mspx

Double/Triple Vision
http://www.mediachance.com/free/multimon.htm

Two Screens Are Better Than One
http://research.microsoft.com/displayArticle.aspx?id=433

Multi-Monitor Resources
http://realtimesoft.com/multimon/faq.asp

Setting up dual monitors using Windows XP Home
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;397764216;fp;2;fpid;1277378924

Dual monitor calibration on Windows XP PCs
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/dual_monitor_calibration.html

Turn on dual monitor support: Powerpoint
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HP030832971033.aspx

Video Editing & Your Monitor
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/expert/dunn_03august11_monitors.mspx

Run a presentation on two monitors
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HP030893941033.aspx

VGA to DVI or a DVI to VGA adapter to attch your monitors.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=dvi+vga+adapter&image1.x=0&image1.y=0

Answer 2

If you were running a desktop I would agree with most of the other replies and say get a dual head card.


But since you clearly state that you have a laptop . . .

You can get a USB port replicator that will attach a second monitor. Since the software has to emulate a monitor, compress the video and send it over the USB you will not get as good an image as a direct connection. Also I am unsure how well the emulated monitor is going to play with windows for an extended desktop dual screen.

I would want to find a local supplier so I could take it back if it works poorly, or not at all.

The other option could be to get a dock. Most laptops will support dual display - 1 laptop 2 external - some docks have dual outputs so that the image that would have gone on the laptop LCD goes out to an external monitor.

Call your laptop vendor and ask if the dock can do this with your laptop.

Answer 3

Yes, you can, but make sure both monitors are well supported or at least supported by the technology(Serial or USB) but be ready to find a lot of bugs as this technology is undergoing enhancements. to round up the topic, you'll still find a lot of bugs and problems rather than the video switch which has been around for years. if so your too curious about the technology you can try it just make sure you have all the tools you need for troubleshooting (Recovery CD's, Driver CD's etc.)

good luck!!!

Answer 4

NO serial is 9 pin Dsub a monitor is 15 pin Dsub u can get a 15 pin Dsub Y cable but this will give the same pic on both monitors and u can get a usb to 15 pin Dsub but these don't work very well and still only give the same pic on both

Answer 5

No, you need a dual headed graphics card or 2 graphics cards in SLI.

If you are not gaming, you can pick up a dualheaded graphics card pretty cheaply. I recommend an nvidia as their dual monitor drivers are the best

Answer 6

No, you must use a video card that supports dual monitors or you can get a video splitter, but you will not be able to take advantage of the full features of dual monitors.

Answer 7

There are very cheap video cards that support dual monitors. If you need a second monitor, I'm sure you can afford a video card. Head over to newegg and see what they have.

Answer 8

The quick answer is yes you can, there are devices available to do such a thing. However they come with a VERY heavy price tag.

You could buy 2 top end graphics card for less.

Answer 9

Nope the dual graphics card is required so you can switch back and forth to use one as primary, secondary or have the computer see them both as one screen.

Answer 10

No you need a vga video splitter.