How to Connect Laptop to 2 External Monitors?

[mh2]

I think I have a problem with my laptop. Actually it is more like a challenge.

 

I have a Laptop with Windows 8.1, Ref: Aspire V3 771 G and what I am trying to do is to connect 2 external monitors + the laptop monitor, but it seems only to allow one monitor :(

 

1) One of the monitors is connected via VGA gable (that blue one). The other monitor is connected with HDMI cable.

 

If I plug both of them, only the VGA monitor + laptop monitor will work.

If I plug only the HMDI, without the VGA, only the HDMI and the VGA will work.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1164.vB5-legacyid=2125[/ATTACH]

 

Is this an issue related to the laptop specs itself? i.e. I can't connect to more than 1 external monitor?

 

:(

[Starbuck]

This is down to the graphics card installed.

Most graphic cards only support 2 displays at any given time, be it internal+external or external+external.

 

I had a similar problem with my Desktop setup.

Graphics card had 3 outputs ..... but only 2 will work at the same time.

 

Possibly the other option open to you would be to connected another monitor using a USB-to-DVI or USB-to-VGA adapter.

Have heard it's possible but have never tried it.

[mh2]

That was my suspicion :P will have a look at a nearby store the price of these adapters.

 

I found some on Amazon but prices go to 50£:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cable-Matters-SuperSpeed-2048x1152-1920x1200/dp/B00BPEV1XK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1388491157&sr=8-7&keywords=usb+to+dvi

[Plastic Nev]

Hi,

You can also get VGA or HDMI splitters boxes providing you don't want different displays on the two monitors, as all it does is take one input and gives two or more out. Similar to this two way splitter here (VGA) :-

 

http://uk.startech.com/AV/Splitters/VGA-Splitters/2-Port-250-MHz-VGA-Video-Splitter-Distribution-Amplifier-UK~ST122LGB

 

I have one similar to that for when I want to run both the main desktop monitor and also the touch screen monitor.

 

Nev.

[mh2]

You can also get VGA or HDMI splitters boxes providing you don't want different displays on the two monitors, as all it does is take one input and gives two or more out. Similar to this two way splitter here (VGA) :-

 

It would not be to duplicate the screen, but to extend it. Do you belive this does the job?

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-DisplayPort-Video-Adapter-Converter/dp/B0035PS57M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388506615&sr=8-2&keywords=usb+to+hdmi

[mh2]

In the meantime got this reply at Amazon:

 

Clive Odom answered:[TABLE=width: 100%, align: center]

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"I am afraid that I don't really know the answer to your question exactly. I use my lap top to run two external screens but I don't use the laptop screen. I have my main screen plugged into the display port using this adapter and an HDMI cable, and the second display is plugged into the VGA port on the laptop. I have an Nvidia Quadro FX 1800M graphics card that can run two screens, but I either use the lap top on its own with no other screen or I use the two screens on my desk with the laptop closed. I tried to see if I could get all three screens to work at once, but could only manage two at one time either the two external screens or the laptop screen and the one running on HDMI fro the DisplayPort. I suspect that you would need a second graphics card to run any more screens and you..."

[mh2]

I suspect that you would need a second graphics card to run any more screens and you..."

 

How could I implement a second graphics card on a laptop? :s I'm really not sure if i should buy those adapters..

[mh2]

Here are my system Specs:

 

Computer

Operating System Windows 8.1 Home Edition

OS Service Pack -

DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

 

Motherboard

CPU Type 4x , 2400 MHz

Motherboard Name Unknown

Motherboard Chipset Unknown

System Memory 16202 MB

BIOS Type Unknown

 

Display

Video Adapter Intel® HD Graphics 4000 (2176 MB)

Video Adapter Intel® HD Graphics 4000 (2176 MB)

Video Adapter Intel® HD Graphics 4000 (2176 MB)

Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M

Monitor Generic PnP Monitor [NoDB]

Monitor Generic PnP Monitor [NoDB] (CNC018PJW7)

 

Multimedia

Audio Adapter High Definition Audio Controller [NoDB]

 

Storage

IDE Controller Intel® 7 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller

SCSI/RAID Controller Microsoft Storage Spaces Controller

Disk Drive Samsung SSD 840 Series (232 GB)

Optical Drive MAT****A DVD-RAM UJ8C0

SMART Hard Disks Status OK

 

Partitions

C: (NTFS) 223571 MB (104676 MB free)

 

Input

Keyboard HID Keyboard Device

Keyboard HID Keyboard Device

Keyboard HID Keyboard Device

Mouse ELAN PS/2 Port Smart-Pad

 

Network

Network Adapter Bluetooth-Gerät (PAN)

Network Adapter PCI-E-Gigabit-Ethernet-Controller Qualcomm Atheros AR8151(NDIS 6.30) (192.168.1.64)

Network Adapter Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222-Funknetzwerkadapter

Network Adapter TAP-Windows Adapter V9

Network Adapter Virtueller Microsoft-Adapter für direktes WiFi

 

Peripherals

Printer Fax

Printer Foxit Reader PDF Printer

Printer HP Deskjet 1050 J410 series (Kopie 1)

Printer HP Deskjet 1050 J410 series

Printer Microsoft XPS Document Writer

Printer Send To OneNote 2013

USB1 Controller Intel® USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller - 0100 (Microsoft) [NoDB]

USB2 Controller Intel® 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1E26 [NoDB]

USB2 Controller Intel® 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1E2D [NoDB]

USB Device Bluetooth USB Module

USB Device Generic USB Hub

USB Device Generic USB Hub

USB Device HD WebCam

USB Device HP Deskjet 1050 J410 series (USB)

USB Device USB Composite Device

USB Device USB Composite Device

USB Device USB Input Device

USB Device USB Printing Support

Battery Microsoft AC Adapter

Battery Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery

[mh2]

After contacting ACER support team, they recommended this type of Adapter (and not the cheap ones):

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004AIJE9G/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item

 

It will arrive before January 14th, so Let's wait. If it works, will post here :)

[Plastic Nev]

I see, one external monitor on the VGA plus the laptops, the other monitor via the adapter to USB, I hope it does allow all three to work and will be interested to know if it does.

Though not very cheap, it is better than paying over £100 for something.

 

Nev.

[mh2]

I see, one external monitor on the VGA plus the laptops, the other monitor via the adapter to USB, I hope it does allow all three to work and will be interested to know if it does.

 

It will be even more interesting if it doesn't. I will post here a picture with the final layout if it works :)

 

Thank you for everything!

[mh2]

It worked!

 

Thank you all. Here is the result :D

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1174.vB5-legacyid=2138[/ATTACH]

[Plastic Nev]

Looking good and we now know what to recommend if someone else asks for similar, well done.