Mr Euro - not sure I understand the question... What would you like to see on the external monitor you're plugging into the laptop? An extension of the laptop's desktop? Fairly sure that can't be done - the same video card feeds the built-in screen and any external monitor connected (at least on any laptop I've come across) - if a laptop did support two monitors I'd expect there to be two external monitor sockets.

Troll, what I really want is to link up to 3 monitors which are independent of each other but running of the same system. Thanks.

If by "independent" you mean sitting side by side to give a huge desktop, look at a thread called "What is parhelia" - it's still on the front page of the list.

If you mean totally separate, to effectively have 3 environments running their own desktops and applications... no - you need more computers :-)

:-) Thanks

Mr E - u in Oxford?

Yes Trader, actually Long Crendon, near Thame.

Mr E - I'm quite techie - wondered if I could help with your monitor point - which needs some discussion - wondered if u were v close. If u want to mail me on trader2@btinternet.com we can set up a call if u want.

Trader thanks for the offer, will drop you a line.

Mr Euro

Some laptops allow you to display a seperate screen on the external monitor.

If yours supports this, make sure that the external monitor is enabled then right click on tghe desktop, select properties then select the settings tab. You should see two blue squares labled 1 & 2. Select the No 2 one and there should be a check box underneath "Extend my desktop over this monitor. Check this and click OK you should then have a two screen system.

Optimist,

Do you know which laptops have this feature? I need to get a new laptop soon, and it would be really handy to plug in an external monitor which would then display a different image from the built-in monitor (e.g. one monitor showing a chart, the other one showing the Finspreads trading screen). What do I need to look for in the specs? Thanks in advance.

Thats great Optimist, thank you very much. Off to llok.

Cor! I'd be interested in one too - any ideas about specific models/manufacturers? Do they allow two external monitors instead of one built-in and one external?

the troll

Croc will no doubt pay me a handsome commission for telling you to look at the top right hand corner of the following web page:-

NEW Sony Trader Notebook with Ultra High 1400 x 1050 display and 2 screen support: CDRW, DVD, 1600 Mhz 995 +VAT

:-)

I use a Tosh Satellite Pro which has this facility. I have not checked but understand that it is not uncommon on other laptops though not universal.

If you want some pointers as to machines that this will work on, look for a large amount of video RAM (16MB or above) and/or a max screen resolution that is greater than the LCD display. You will then have to go into PC World and try it.

Optimist

I've just had a go with my Dell Inspiron 3800 running Win 98 SE and it works a treat. I now have two screens running different displays. Had no idea my laptop supported this. And I was saving up for one of Croc's lovely Viao laptops! They are a lovely machine, have seen one running all day at the Trader's day in Edinburgh and it ran completely without trouble all day. I can recommend it highly ( I got to press the buttons on the presentation - kid /sweetshop etc)!

Optimist,

Having some problems! I have plugged in another monitor and get get the feed showing up on both screens. However when I get to settings all I see is screen resolution and colour quality, no blue boxes! It states its running dual monitors. Thanks.

PS - Running XP on a Samsung V20. I think it's a half decent machine, cost me about 1200 from memory :-)

Mr Euro

I don't know your machine but what you describe is the settings box for a single head video card. So you may not be able to have independent feeds.

It may be worth you doing some research on the Samsung website.

Thanks Optimist, are there any key words I should look for?

Mr Euro

You could try searching for dual monitor or dual display.