'How'?-THREE Monitors in 'Independent Mode'-P750????

"HammerToe" wrote in message ...
I'm current running TWO 19" analog monitors @ 1600x1200 (each), 32 Bit
Color in 'INDEPENDENT' mode.

I would LIKE to consider adding a THIRD 19 incher BUT using only the
capabilities of the P750, I can only do so IF I 'drop down' to
(something like - it was quite awhile ago that I did the experiment)
3840x1024 - a 'STRETCHED' mode which I don't like much. I don't get
any more (for all intents and purposes) 'pixels' to display more info;
everything simply gets larger. ALSO I really don't like having my
TaskBar stretched across the three monitors and it also complicates
the use of Wallpapers....

Anyway - bottom line: I would like to run ALL the monitors in 1600 x
1200 'INDEPENDENT' mode and, since I cannot do that with only the
capabilities of the P750 card, I was wondering if I could add a SECOND
(PCI) Video Card (of suitable make and capabilites) and achieve my
goal????

No, at least not in Windows 2000/XP. Windows does support
multiple video controllers, but not at the same time. One can
switch between the controllers and use them one at a time.

Rick

Rick wrote:

"HammerToe" wrote in message
...
I'm current running TWO 19" analog monitors @ 1600x1200 (each), 32 Bit
Color in 'INDEPENDENT' mode.

I would LIKE to consider adding a THIRD 19 incher BUT using only the
capabilities of the P750, I can only do so IF I 'drop down' to
(something like - it was quite awhile ago that I did the experiment)
3840x1024 - a 'STRETCHED' mode which I don't like much. I don't get
any more (for all intents and purposes) 'pixels' to display more info;
everything simply gets larger. ALSO I really don't like having my
TaskBar stretched across the three monitors and it also complicates
the use of Wallpapers....

Anyway - bottom line: I would like to run ALL the monitors in 1600 x
1200 'INDEPENDENT' mode and, since I cannot do that with only the
capabilities of the P750 card, I was wondering if I could add a SECOND
(PCI) Video Card (of suitable make and capabilites) and achieve my
goal????

No, at least not in Windows 2000/XP. Windows does support
multiple video controllers, but not at the same time. One can
switch between the controllers and use them one at a time.

When was that support removed?

Rick

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

"J. Clarke" wrote in message ...
Rick wrote:

"HammerToe" wrote in message
...
I'm current running TWO 19" analog monitors @ 1600x1200 (each), 32 Bit
Color in 'INDEPENDENT' mode.

I would LIKE to consider adding a THIRD 19 incher BUT using only the
capabilities of the P750, I can only do so IF I 'drop down' to
(something like - it was quite awhile ago that I did the experiment)
3840x1024 - a 'STRETCHED' mode which I don't like much. I don't get
any more (for all intents and purposes) 'pixels' to display more info;
everything simply gets larger. ALSO I really don't like having my
TaskBar stretched across the three monitors and it also complicates
the use of Wallpapers....

Anyway - bottom line: I would like to run ALL the monitors in 1600 x
1200 'INDEPENDENT' mode and, since I cannot do that with only the
capabilities of the P750 card, I was wondering if I could add a SECOND
(PCI) Video Card (of suitable make and capabilites) and achieve my
goal????

No, at least not in Windows 2000/XP. Windows does support
multiple video controllers, but not at the same time. One can
switch between the controllers and use them one at a time.

When was that support removed?

That support was never there in the first place. Only one video
controller can be set as primary at a time -- simultaneous triple
(or whatever) monitor support has to come from the primary
controller's driver. You can't divide it up among multiple
adapters.

Rick

Rick wrote:

"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
Rick wrote:

"HammerToe" wrote in message
...
I'm current running TWO 19" analog monitors @ 1600x1200 (each), 32 Bit
Color in 'INDEPENDENT' mode.

I would LIKE to consider adding a THIRD 19 incher BUT using only the
capabilities of the P750, I can only do so IF I 'drop down' to
(something like - it was quite awhile ago that I did the experiment)
3840x1024 - a 'STRETCHED' mode which I don't like much. I don't get
any more (for all intents and purposes) 'pixels' to display more info;
everything simply gets larger. ALSO I really don't like having my
TaskBar stretched across the three monitors and it also complicates
the use of Wallpapers....

Anyway - bottom line: I would like to run ALL the monitors in 1600 x
1200 'INDEPENDENT' mode and, since I cannot do that with only the
capabilities of the P750 card, I was wondering if I could add a SECOND
(PCI) Video Card (of suitable make and capabilites) and achieve my
goal????

No, at least not in Windows 2000/XP. Windows does support
multiple video controllers, but not at the same time. One can
switch between the controllers and use them one at a time.

When was that support removed?

That support was never there in the first place. Only one video
controller can be set as primary at a time -- simultaneous triple
(or whatever) monitor support has to come from the primary
controller's driver. You can't divide it up among multiple
adapters.

I see. Someone needs to tell my copy of XP as it is going along blissfully
unaware of this limitation.

The ability to extend the desktop across up to ten monitors connected to as
many video boards as necessary to attach them is a documented feature of
Windows 2000 and XP. Only one of those monitors (not adapters--even if the
adapter has connections for many monitors only one of those monitors is
"primary") but it is not necessary that a display adapter be set as
"primary" in order to be used in an extended desktop.

The video adapters do not even have to be the same brand--some users are
running arch-rivals ATI and nvidia simultaneously.

Perhaps you are confusing the "multiple display" capability with the
"dualview" feature, or are thinking about the known issue involving
television signals and the video overlay feature.

You might want to call up the "help" in your Windows 2000 or XP system and
search on "multiple monitor".

If this capability does not work on your machine then you need to get
drivers that are not broken.

Rick

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

"J. Clarke" wrote in message ...
Rick wrote:

"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
Rick wrote:

"HammerToe" wrote in message
...
I'm current running TWO 19" analog monitors @ 1600x1200 (each), 32 Bit
Color in 'INDEPENDENT' mode.

I would LIKE to consider adding a THIRD 19 incher BUT using only the
capabilities of the P750, I can only do so IF I 'drop down' to
(something like - it was quite awhile ago that I did the experiment)
3840x1024 - a 'STRETCHED' mode which I don't like much. I don't get
any more (for all intents and purposes) 'pixels' to display more info;
everything simply gets larger. ALSO I really don't like having my
TaskBar stretched across the three monitors and it also complicates
the use of Wallpapers....

Anyway - bottom line: I would like to run ALL the monitors in 1600 x
1200 'INDEPENDENT' mode and, since I cannot do that with only the
capabilities of the P750 card, I was wondering if I could add a SECOND
(PCI) Video Card (of suitable make and capabilites) and achieve my
goal????

No, at least not in Windows 2000/XP. Windows does support
multiple video controllers, but not at the same time. One can
switch between the controllers and use them one at a time.

When was that support removed?

That support was never there in the first place. Only one video
controller can be set as primary at a time -- simultaneous triple
(or whatever) monitor support has to come from the primary
controller's driver. You can't divide it up among multiple
adapters.

I see. Someone needs to tell my copy of XP as it is going along blissfully
unaware of this limitation.

The ability to extend the desktop across up to ten monitors

Reread the OP. That's not what he wants to do.

Rick

"Rick" wrote in message ...
"J. Clarke" wrote in message ...
Rick wrote:

"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
Rick wrote:

"HammerToe" wrote in message
...
I'm current running TWO 19" analog monitors @ 1600x1200 (each), 32 Bit
Color in 'INDEPENDENT' mode.

I would LIKE to consider adding a THIRD 19 incher BUT using only the
capabilities of the P750, I can only do so IF I 'drop down' to
(something like - it was quite awhile ago that I did the experiment)
3840x1024 - a 'STRETCHED' mode which I don't like much. I don't get
any more (for all intents and purposes) 'pixels' to display more info;
everything simply gets larger. ALSO I really don't like having my
TaskBar stretched across the three monitors and it also complicates
the use of Wallpapers....

Anyway - bottom line: I would like to run ALL the monitors in 1600 x
1200 'INDEPENDENT' mode and, since I cannot do that with only the
capabilities of the P750 card, I was wondering if I could add a SECOND
(PCI) Video Card (of suitable make and capabilites) and achieve my
goal????

No, at least not in Windows 2000/XP. Windows does support
multiple video controllers, but not at the same time. One can
switch between the controllers and use them one at a time.

When was that support removed?

That support was never there in the first place. Only one video
controller can be set as primary at a time -- simultaneous triple
(or whatever) monitor support has to come from the primary
controller's driver. You can't divide it up among multiple
adapters.

I see. Someone needs to tell my copy of XP as it is going along blissfully
unaware of this limitation.

The ability to extend the desktop across up to ten monitors

Reread the OP. That's not what he wants to do.

John, I think I see why you were confused. I need to elaborate
on my previous answer. What I'm saying is, support for
simultaneous *independent mode* on a third monitor would
have to come from the primary controller's driver, and as far
as I know Matrox (or any other manufacturer) doesn't support
this, if the third monitor is not on the primary adapter. I know
Windows itself does not support this.

Rick

Rick wrote:

"Rick" wrote in message
...
"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
Rick wrote:

"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
Rick wrote:

"HammerToe" wrote in message
...
I'm current running TWO 19" analog monitors @ 1600x1200 (each),
32 Bit Color in 'INDEPENDENT' mode.

I would LIKE to consider adding a THIRD 19 incher BUT using only
the capabilities of the P750, I can only do so IF I 'drop down'
to (something like - it was quite awhile ago that I did the
experiment) 3840x1024 - a 'STRETCHED' mode which I don't like
much. I don't get any more (for all intents and purposes)
'pixels' to display more info; everything simply gets larger.
ALSO I really don't like having my TaskBar stretched across the
three monitors and it also complicates the use of Wallpapers....

Anyway - bottom line: I would like to run ALL the monitors in
1600 x 1200 'INDEPENDENT' mode and, since I cannot do that with
only the capabilities of the P750 card, I was wondering if I
could add a SECOND (PCI) Video Card (of suitable make and
capabilites) and achieve my goal????

No, at least not in Windows 2000/XP. Windows does support
multiple video controllers, but not at the same time. One can
switch between the controllers and use them one at a time.

When was that support removed?

That support was never there in the first place. Only one video
controller can be set as primary at a time -- simultaneous triple
(or whatever) monitor support has to come from the primary
controller's driver. You can't divide it up among multiple
adapters.

I see. Someone needs to tell my copy of XP as it is going along
blissfully unaware of this limitation.

The ability to extend the desktop across up to ten monitors

Reread the OP. That's not what he wants to do.

John, I think I see why you were confused. I need to elaborate
on my previous answer. What I'm saying is, support for
simultaneous *independent mode* on a third monitor would
have to come from the primary controller's driver, and as far
as I know Matrox (or any other manufacturer) doesn't support
this, if the third monitor is not on the primary adapter. I know
Windows itself does not support this.

I'm not clear on this "independent mode". The systems that I've used either
show the same desktop on all monitors or extend the desktop across multiple
monitors. I've not seen a system that shows different desktops on
different monitors, at least not under Windows.

Rick

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

"J. Clarke" wrote in message ...
Rick wrote:

"Rick" wrote in message
...
"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
Rick wrote:

"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
Rick wrote:

"HammerToe" wrote in message
...
I'm current running TWO 19" analog monitors @ 1600x1200 (each),
32 Bit Color in 'INDEPENDENT' mode.

I would LIKE to consider adding a THIRD 19 incher BUT using only
the capabilities of the P750, I can only do so IF I 'drop down'
to (something like - it was quite awhile ago that I did the
experiment) 3840x1024 - a 'STRETCHED' mode which I don't like
much. I don't get any more (for all intents and purposes)
'pixels' to display more info; everything simply gets larger.
ALSO I really don't like having my TaskBar stretched across the
three monitors and it also complicates the use of Wallpapers....

Anyway - bottom line: I would like to run ALL the monitors in
1600 x 1200 'INDEPENDENT' mode and, since I cannot do that with
only the capabilities of the P750 card, I was wondering if I
could add a SECOND (PCI) Video Card (of suitable make and
capabilites) and achieve my goal????

No, at least not in Windows 2000/XP. Windows does support
multiple video controllers, but not at the same time. One can
switch between the controllers and use them one at a time.

When was that support removed?

That support was never there in the first place. Only one video
controller can be set as primary at a time -- simultaneous triple
(or whatever) monitor support has to come from the primary
controller's driver. You can't divide it up among multiple
adapters.

I see. Someone needs to tell my copy of XP as it is going along
blissfully unaware of this limitation.

The ability to extend the desktop across up to ten monitors

Reread the OP. That's not what he wants to do.

John, I think I see why you were confused. I need to elaborate
on my previous answer. What I'm saying is, support for
simultaneous *independent mode* on a third monitor would
have to come from the primary controller's driver, and as far
as I know Matrox (or any other manufacturer) doesn't support
this, if the third monitor is not on the primary adapter. I know
Windows itself does not support this.

I'm not clear on this "independent mode". The systems that I've used either
show the same desktop on all monitors or extend the desktop across multiple
monitors. I've not seen a system that shows different desktops on
different monitors, at least not under Windows.

In independent mode each monitor is separate, it allows one
to set an individual resolution, color depth and refresh rate on
each. Virtual positions of apps are independent on each, e.g.
maximizing an application on one display will make it full
screen, on that monitor only.

I believe with Matrox's current cards and drivers, independent
mode is limited to two displays -- a third display must use
stretched mode with one of the first two monitors. I could
be wrong about this if Matrox has recently made changes.
But in any case, adding a second adapter will not give the
OP what he's looking for.

Rick

Rick wrote:

I believe with Matrox's current cards and drivers, independent
mode is limited to two displays -- a third display must use
stretched mode with one of the first two monitors.

It can also be used for overlay and zoom (what Matrox calls "features") with
the first two monitors in independent mode. That's nice for gfx and video
work.

Regards,
--
*Art

"HammerToe" wrote in message ...
..
Recently however, I started to consider the possibility of trying to
add a third 19 incher driven off a second (PCI) video card and the
whole issue of 'possibilities' and potential problems (HW and SW)
arose again.

My own 'gut feel' was that 'Matrox' (software-drivers+Powerdesk) would
not be of any help here BUT my thought/hope was that they wouldn't be
a hinderance. I 'kinda suspected' that I WOULD (VERY LIKELY) have to
revert to (a) 'Stretched Mode' BUT I thought that MAYBE under these
conditions I could let the P750 handle two monitors @ 1600x1200 IN
STRETCHED MODE and the PCI card handle the third, also at 1600x1200.

That's what I was trying to explain earlier. Support for what
you're trying to do has to come from the driver for the primary
controller. Neither Windows itself nor Matrox's driver would
allow you to do this.

This may change in the future, with the advent of PCI-X. But
in the meantime adding another adapter will not give you
1600x1200 on the third monitor, in any mode, since it is not
supported either by Windows or by the primary controller driver.

Rick