A computer is made up of many devices, both external and internal. Information input-output devices are of particular importance for the user, because they allow entering and receiving the necessary information. So, to display information, a monitor is used, on the screen of which a visible display is displayed, but it does not work by itself. To process video data, a video card is needed, it can be built into the motherboard or it can be a separate device - it depends on the configuration of a particular PC.
But what if you have two displays that need to be connected to your computer at the same time? To do this, you need to take a number of the following steps.
Checking the compatibility of your device
The most important thing is to check if your computer is capable of displaying an image on two monitors. How to do it? The computer on the back of the system unit must have connectors. We are interested in the dvi, vga, hdmi, displayport or thunderbolt connection types. If a separate video adapter is installed, then they must be placed horizontally. If the video card is built into the motherboard, then the first step is to purchase and install a separate video adapter in the system unit.
Determining the video output type
To do this, it is necessary to compare the shape of the connector, the number of its holes with the generally accepted above standards. You need to find out what type of connection is used on this video card. You also need to find out what types of video inputs are on the monitors - according to the same principle.
Choice of cables for connection
Now, knowing the types of jacks on monitors and PCs, you need to determine if you have the right cables. Otherwise, they will need to be purchased. Or purchase suitable adapters for connecting monitors.
Connecting monitors
Always turn off the PC before connecting any device. This will help avoid potential problems with identifying new hardware. Next, you need to connect the first monitor to the video card connector using a connecting cable. If it is already connected to the motherboard, the cable will need to be reconnected to the same connector on the video adapter. If there is no such connector, then again you need to check for a suitable cable. Then the second display is connected to another video card connector. After that, you will need to give power to the monitors through the power cable and then turn on both them and your computer.
Setting up dual monitors in Windows 10
To do this, you need to click on the "start" menu, it looks like the windows logo at the bottom left. A panel will open, on it you will need to click on the "parameters" - the "gear" icon. After that, the "system" component will open - in the form of a laptop, then the inscription "screen" is pressed. At the bottom, in the window that appears, there will be a section "multiple monitors", and you need to open it. The connection type setting corresponding to your needs is selected from the drop-down list:
- "Expand these screens" - the image is stretched across both monitors;
- "Duplicate these screens" - on both displays there will be an identical image;
- "Display the desktop only at 1" and "display the desktop only at 2" - will give data only on the selected display.
The final step will be to save the settings - click “apply”, then “save changes”. Now you can use two monitor screens at the same time.