Opti

Other than say, a pill of some sort, what protection do you use?

And you too, Plateman?

Let's compare.

Exec, my problem was not related to the black screen issue but for the record I use AVG9, I hope that this is what you meant, the "pill" bit puzzled me.

Doc

I use Windows Defender + Microsoft Securuty Essentials on what are my less critical computers and Windows Defender + Panda AV on the others. The latter costs a few s a year for a three user licence and seems to work very well.

It's only problem is that it is resource hungry during the daily update.

What are the values (if any) of using Spybot and SpywareBlaster or are they a waste of time and space?

Are you a "Casanova's Rubber Sock" man then Doc?

What do you do with it, Hil, slip it over the mouse?

No Hils.

Have you ever tried a Velcro Fastener?

:-)

I'm thinking of updating my current 2 screen setup. Does anyone have any experience of these?

What exactly are you asking about, skinners? The monitors, the stands or the PCs and/or graphics cards?

You could always make your own like this guy:

hilary - the lot really. My current machine is 7 years old and is begining to creak. So I'll probably update it all !

In terms of stands, skinny, these people seem far cheaper than any other manufacturer (eg Ergotron) that I've come across. Once you've worked out which model you would like, just key the model number into Google for the cheapest supplier.

In terms of the machine itself, we discussed the HP ProLiant server (around 200 from Dabs) on this thread some time back. Its only drawback is that it doesn't come with a sound card, but I think that's a good thing. Although a little dated now, I still use the old Matrox Quad cards (MMS200 or something like that) that have been around for ages. You should be able to get them used off eBay, and I keep a couple of spares laying around in case one goes. They're a bit slower than the modern cards, but are fine for trading imo).

As for the monitors, they're ten a penny nowadays and you can take your pick.

hils - thanks will have a good look at the weekend. Do you know where I can get a set up with those legs on the desk :-) Ok I'm going...

This is what you need (or rather what my kids want)

It is 43 inch 2880x900

Only 7,999 USD

http://gizmodo.com/341413/alienware-curved-monitor-looks-like-its-from-another-planet

If you are setting up a new multi monitor system, consider mounting at least one of them in portrait mode. It makes document viewing a lot easier.

And be sure to go widescreen, skinners. At least 1440 x 900 and preferably higher if the budget permits. It's so much easier to view charts.

I looked on eBay as well and you should be able to get a Matrox Quad card for under 30 including the splitter cables if that's the route you decide to go.

Hils - I had a quick look last night at the Matrox Millennium G200 Quad - is that the one you mean? I was suprised to see that they only have 32mb memory - even my current card, which is 7 years old has 128mb - dual head radeon 9700.

I now use an NVIDIA NVS 285 which is great (dual) but there are also the NVS 400/420/450 (quad). Better than the Matrox in my experience. I think it's newer technology.

In fact many high range NVIDIA cards are dual head.

Cards like the Radeon 9700 (and current equivalents) are great for games etc (built for 3d) but are much more expensive. The Matrox and NVS ranges are meant for business systems so don't have the 3d technology. You won't need 128Mb for a few charts.

I use 2 Matrox G450 DVI cards in different machines with that low amount of memory at work, one screen has my test chart on and the other is for my work, and they're fine - even running Metatrader in the background on one screen. There's no discernible delay on the displays.