Setting Up Dual Monitors

How to Setup Dual Monitors

Using dual monitors for PowerPoint (PPT) has its advantages.

It adds flexibility by allowing you to run your presentation through a projector while being able to make real-time edits.

Setting things up can be a bit tricky though. First you'll need some new hardware.

You'll either need two video cards or one dual-head video card installed on the computer.

If you're buying a second video card, make sure it's a PCI (not AGP) one. That's because your computer only has one AGP slot and it's probably already being used by your primary video card.

If you're using a desktop computer to run your presentations, your setup will easier.

If you're using a laptop, you may have hardware limitations that'll keep you from using this feature.

Special note for Laptop users - in order to use the dual-monitor feature, your chipset must support it. Very few laptops currently have this chipset. Refer to your manual for more information. Another option is to buy a PCMCIA video card and plug it into your PCMCIA slot.

For simplicity, we're going to stick to desktop computers for this article.

Here's What You'll Need

Naturally, you'll need a few things before you start, including:

Second Monitor

Second Video Card (or dual-headed card)

Windows 98 or higher

PowerPoint 2000 or higher

Phillips screwdriver

Step 1 - Installing the Hardware

First you'll need to install the new video card.
If you need help doing this, click here for instructions.

Step 2 - Configuring the Software

After your video card is in place, you'll have to make some software adjustments.

First, you'll have to tell the computer to use both monitors.

Open the Display Properties and select the Settings tab.

Note the items circled on the image.

Make sure that the #1 video card is displayed (use the pull-down arrow if you need to change this setting).

Then make sure that the box is checked for, USE THIS DEVICE AS THE PRIMARY MONITOR.

Once that's done, use the pull-down arrow to select the #2 video card.

Now make sure the box is checked for, EXTEND MY WINDOWS DESKTOP ONTO THIS MONITOR.

While making these changes, check the screen area for resolution.

Make sure everything is set to at least 800x600 or 1024x768.

It's also a good idea to make sure both of your monitors are set to the same resolution.

When everything is configured, click the OK button.

With both monitors connected to the computer, verify everything is working.

Move your cursor over to the far right of the screen. If everything's working, you should see your cursor on the second screen.

Step 3 - Configuring PowerPoint

Next you have to tell PowerPoint which monitor to use for projection and which to use for real-time edits.

Open your slide show. On the menu, select

Slide Show and then

Set up Slide Show

A new window opens. Click the Project Wizard.

Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

You'll have to do this each time you run your slide show. >BR>
However, Microsoft has a hotfix you can download and install which should correct this. Click here for the hotfix.

Everything Working?

Hopefully you answered yes!

But if not, then there are some other things you should look at.

First make sure all the cables are connected properly.

Check your Drivers to make sure they are current

Double-check the software settings in Steps 2 and 3 above.

When in doubt, start over. Try using a single-monitor setup first with each video card (this tells if the video cards are working).

Then work through the steps again slowly. Hopefully any glitches will be corrected when you go through the steps again.

If not, you'll need to figure out which piece or hardware or software configuration is causing the problem. This can take time.

You may have to remove your video card and start over.

How to Install a Second Video Card

PowerPoint Help

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Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Focus On Him!



	How to Setup Dual Monitors Using dual monitors for PowerPoint (PPT) has its advantages. It adds flexibility by allowing you to run your presentation through a projector while being able to make real-time edits. Setting things up can be a bit tricky though. First you'll need some new hardware. You'll either need two video cards or one dual-head video card installed on the computer. If you're buying a second video card, make sure it's a PCI (not AGP) one. That's because your computer only has one AGP slot and it's probably already being used by your primary video card. If you're using a desktop computer to run your presentations, your setup will easier. If you're using a laptop, you may have hardware limitations that'll keep you from using this feature. Special note for Laptop users - in order to use the dual-monitor feature, your chipset must support it. Very few laptops currently have this chipset. Refer to your manual for more information. Another option is to buy a PCMCIA video card and plug it into your PCMCIA slot. For simplicity, we're going to stick to desktop computers for this article. Here's What You'll Need Naturally, you'll need a few things before you start, including: Second Monitor Second Video Card (or dual-headed card) Windows 98 or higher PowerPoint 2000 or higher Phillips screwdriver Step 1 - Installing the Hardware First you'll need to install the new video card. If you need help doing this, click here for instructions. Step 2 - Configuring the Software After your video card is in place, you'll have to make some software adjustments. First, you'll have to tell the computer to use both monitors. Open the Display Properties and select the Settings tab. Note the items circled on the image. Make sure that the #1 video card is displayed (use the pull-down arrow if you need to change this setting). Then make sure that the box is checked for, USE THIS DEVICE AS THE PRIMARY MONITOR. Once that's done, use the pull-down arrow to select the #2 video card. Now make sure the box is checked for, EXTEND MY WINDOWS DESKTOP ONTO THIS MONITOR. While making these changes, check the screen area for resolution. Make sure everything is set to at least 800x600 or 1024x768. It's also a good idea to make sure both of your monitors are set to the same resolution. When everything is configured, click the OK button. With both monitors connected to the computer, verify everything is working. Move your cursor over to the far right of the screen. If everything's working, you should see your cursor on the second screen. Step 3 - Configuring PowerPoint Next you have to tell PowerPoint which monitor to use for projection and which to use for real-time edits. Open your slide show. On the menu, select Slide Show and then Set up Slide Show A new window opens. Click the Project Wizard. Follow the prompts to complete the setup. You'll have to do this each time you run your slide show. >BR> However, Microsoft has a hotfix you can download and install which should correct this. Click here for the hotfix. Everything Working? Hopefully you answered yes! But if not, then there are some other things you should look at. First make sure all the cables are connected properly. Check your Drivers to make sure they are current Double-check the software settings in Steps 2 and 3 above. When in doubt, start over. Try using a single-monitor setup first with each video card (this tells if the video cards are working). Then work through the steps again slowly. Hopefully any glitches will be corrected when you go through the steps again. If not, you'll need to figure out which piece or hardware or software configuration is causing the problem. This can take time. You may have to remove your video card and start over. How to Install a Second Video Card PowerPoint Help Return to Home Page Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved Focus On Him!