Multi monitors [Archive] - Computer help and technical support at WBHelp.com

bear

12-16-2004, 09:09 PM

I use three monitors to design with. I have a main display that measures a nice 23", and 2 secondaries at 17" each. Today, I had to send my main display in for repair, as it seems to have a power supply issue (screen shrinks and jumps randomly). I'm finding that using the 17" display is a little restricting, even with using a second one. I miss the extra freedom of a large screen, and it's going to be at least 2 weeks to get it back... :(

Anyone here use more than one monitor to get their work done? If so, what are you running? Do you find it helps you, or do you just work mostly on the main display anyway?

bear

01-03-2005, 10:36 AM

Just an update, still waiting for this monitor to be repaired. What with the Holidays, and weekends in between, it's seeming to take forever.

Zykaz

01-05-2005, 01:58 PM

Bummer that your monitor broke. Sending computers in for fixing is always a pain.

I don't personally have multi monitors. I use more than one computer at once, which isn't as productive, having to switch mice and keyboards.

I've know a few people who do, though. A friend of mine uses two monitors, and will typically place extraneous things (instant messanger, movies that are playing, etc.) on one monitor, and then use the other for frequent-use things. I do also know a graphic designer that uses three monitors at a time. From what I've seen of them working, they use all three monitors frequently. Constantly moving between them, and taking advantage of having the space.

I'm a fan of laptops, but I've always wondered if those are hard to set up on a desktop computer? Any extra components needed (other than the extra monitor)?

bear

01-05-2005, 04:05 PM

You just need either a dual head card, or a second (third, etc.) installed. Easily configured through Windows. As for using several computers and switching keyboards and mice, have you considered a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch? allows you to switch betweeen running systems with a keyboard shortcut, on only one set of everything.
Works great.

In fact, I have one set up here. In addition to the 3 displays, I have several systems hooked into a 4 port KVM from Belkin (http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/f1ds104t.html). When I need to switch to one of the others, I just hit the pause/break key twice, and then a number key for which system I want. There's also a button on the device for this.

Zykaz

01-05-2005, 06:22 PM

Oh, yeah, I've seen those KVM switches before. I haven't considered one for my setup though. I'm not sure how functional those are, but I switch between a few different _kinds_ of computers. Ie, my main computer is a laptop running Linux. But right next to it I have a Sparc 5 running Solaris. I'll usually switch to that when I'm programming, or checking email, as it runs fetchmail. Then, right next to that, I have an older Windows machine. I've seen those switches work between laptops running Linux and a desktop running Windows, but I don't know if it would work on the Sparc.

If I did get one, though, then would I be able to still use both monitors, and just switch the keyboard and mouse? I realize it's a keyboard, _video_, mouse switch. But, would I be able to configure it to do that? Like, if I want to switch, I hit the buttons, and it just switches the keyboard and mouse to be effective only on the other monitor, so that the contents running on all the computer's monitors are different. I wouldn't mind something like that.

Otherwise, though, I've been thinking of setting up a cluster with all the older (100-300 mhz) computers I have. Then use that for the longer, cpu-draining tasks I sometimes have to run.

bear

01-05-2005, 06:45 PM

Yes, I think they can be used for only partial components. The one I have can handle either USB or PS2 input devices, so it might work on the Sparc, as long as they don't have some funky input port.

Zykaz

01-07-2005, 07:49 PM

Eh. No USB or PS2 input, I think.

I did a quick google search though, and I found a Belkin adapter that goes with their switches that works with Sun systems. But, I'm skeptic. The mouse that I use connects to the keyboard, which then connects to the box - which I can't remember whether it's PS2 (not at home right now). I'm not too sure I'll be able to get it working with that setup.

bear

01-07-2005, 11:02 PM

Dang. I'd have to agree there. Can you contact Belkin about it, or is this getting a little "involved" for the possible return?

Zykaz

01-08-2005, 12:32 AM

I could probably contact Belkin. But otherwise, it doesn't matter too much. I was hoping to get the Sparc on a KVM switch, but I don't _need_ to. Like I said, I mostly only use if for programming, checking email, and it's also a remote logger for my network, so I monitor the logs there. Not too much work to be done on it. I've still got other computers that I wouldn't mind on a KVM switch, though. Plus, I've been looking into getting a new laptop sometime within the next two months. A nice, new, customized Dell (I'm not too fond of the Celeron processors they come with, or a few other components - customized is definitely preferable), which I'd probably switch to programming on. So the KVM switch is looking better and better with the amount of computers I'm stacking up. Thanks for the idea.

Michael

01-10-2005, 08:49 AM

I mostly just work on the one monitor, my computer can be connected to my tv to use a second monitor, but it is not very good.

I might but another 17" monitor as some times I find it difficult working with the one monitor or maybe just get a 42" plasma screen and work from that :D

bear

01-10-2005, 09:33 AM

I'm spoiled now. I became so used to the three monitors setup (especially the main display) that I find it frustrating to use a 17" now, even *with* a second one. It's supposed to be returned this week...and boy, it had better be fixed properly. :D

Zykaz

01-17-2005, 10:17 PM

Heh.

Did you get the monitors back yet? All better?

bear

01-18-2005, 06:42 AM

:mad: No, not yet.
I called on the 14th (the 10th business day, but actually the 25th day they had it, including weekends), and they finally said they were replacing it with a reconditioned one (it was bought reconditioned), and would be sending it either that day (Friday), Monday or Tuesday. Nice to have that kind of accuracy and support for something you rely on, and have been without for around a month, eh?

If it ever happens again, I'm buying a new one, and will get the old repaired as a backup. Damn the expense.

Zykaz

01-18-2005, 02:52 PM

Ugh. What a pain. I had to send my laptop into IBM for modem repair, and it took forever. And that I _really_ needed done fast.

Who did you send it in to, anyway? I'll have to remember not to expect too much from them if I have to get anything repaired...

bear

01-18-2005, 05:10 PM

It was a warranty repair from Viewsonic. That reminds me, I need to call again, just to make sure they're finally sending it.

bear

01-18-2005, 09:30 PM

*feh*
Spoke to customer (dis)service, and got yet another delay. Now they say that it will be several *more* days since it takes several to "set up shipping". Since speaking to them last Thursday, and then Friday, you would think the "wheels" were already in motion to ship before my call today.

Looking now like it *might* ship by the end of this week.
Time for an angry letter to the company.

Zykaz

01-19-2005, 12:26 AM

Considering the confusion and expense they're putting on you, an angry letter does sound good.

Other than that, If I were you, I'd be expecting it at the end the of month.

bear

01-25-2005, 07:17 AM

Finally an update.
I've managed to get an answer from them, and it seems they've shipped a monitor as of the 20th (exactly one month after they got mine). They couldn't tell me if it was new or reconditioned, or if it was my own, fixed. If it were my own, I'd guess it would come from Kentucky, where I'd sent it to be looked at. It's instead coming from California...which happens to be the absolutely furthest point from me the in the US...so it takes the longest to arrive. :rolleyes:

I expect it on or about the 26th. Certainly hope it works right.

Zykaz

01-25-2005, 08:51 PM

They couldn't tell me if it was new or reconditioned, or if it was my own, fixed.

That is just horrible. Honestly, nobody can expect very much from companies that can't even keep track of explicitly simple information like this.

Well, at least you're getting it back. And, good luck. Cross your fingers when you plug it in and turn it on.

bear

01-26-2005, 01:27 PM

It finally arrived...and I believe it's a new one. A bright side finally.
Plugged in, powered up, just now adjusting colors and all that fun stuff.
So far, so good...except I can't get the brightness/contrast to acceptable levels. I'll keep working on it...at least it's finally here.

Michael

01-26-2005, 04:01 PM

Sounds good! Congrats! At last you finally got it back!

Zykaz

01-26-2005, 08:35 PM

I just got my new laptop today, too. :D

It's HUGE, but really nice.

bear

01-26-2005, 08:42 PM

Congrats on the arrival of the new laptop!

Zykaz

01-26-2005, 09:07 PM

And you, congrats on the new monitor!

We both have had pretty good luck today with our shipments. Of course, you've been waiting a month. I would have gone crazy if I had to wait that long.

joop

01-26-2005, 09:12 PM

Wow what a pain.... I usually threaten to sue the culprets(even if i know i can't afford too lol) if i can't get a response as you.

With regards to monitors (duel) - IN MY DREAMS - im forever complaining about swithing from page to page just to read and write via references - i mainly use the MSDN Library at microsoft, or the one on my PC(half the size now - i can't keep up with it all.)

congratulations on the return of monitor/s bear,
and laptop Zykaz

bear

01-26-2005, 09:21 PM

I have a three monitor layout. :D It makes work so much easier, it's really worth it.

After spending a month without the large main display, I can really appreciate it now. Going from a 17" at 1024x768 to a 23" at 1280x1024 has me searching for my windows....
I can actually have several windows open, in different corners of the main display.
Sorry...gloating. Work is fun again. ;)

click-on-nik.com

03-24-2005, 11:38 AM

Hi Bear...followed you back to your cave and found this fourm...thanks!
I have two moniters and LOVE them! One thing you have to be careful with--if the moniters are too close, you'll get interference on your screens. A black line will drift up and down or the screen will flicker. I had my moniters like this for years and I've only run into this problem within the last few months.

bear

03-24-2005, 12:00 PM

My secret lair, discovered...;)
To lessen the interference, have the monitors at a different refresh rates. I find anything above 85 is unneccesary, but below 75 and it gives me headaches. I keep the main at 85, and the secondary at 75. The third is on a different card and seem unaffected by the others. (in this shot, the left is a 15"..it's now a 17)
http://69.56.205.235/3monitors.jpg

Welcome to WBhelp, by the way...:D

click-on-nik.com

03-24-2005, 12:09 PM

Good stuff! I'll try that with mine. Right now I have 4 inches of space between them and my dreamweaver book as a partition...this is the scientific way of doing it, of course ;)

bear

03-24-2005, 12:13 PM

If it was truly scientific, it would involve a tin foil hat as well, but it's a start. ;)

Michael

03-24-2005, 01:16 PM

Looks like a nice messy office :D

bear

03-24-2005, 01:34 PM

That was *after* cleanup. Most days I have papers about neck deep on all sides.

Michael

03-24-2005, 01:51 PM

It's all good

wera

05-26-2005, 03:07 AM