Reference number: CH000195

Is it possible to have two video cards in one computer?

Question:

Is it possible to have two video cards in one computer?

Answer:

This is possible providing:

1. Available resources on the computer.
2. Not using EGA, CGA and or VGA card in one computer.
3. If planning to use the two video cards for multi-monitor support you must be running an operating system such as Windows 98 or Software program capable of utilizing both video cards and monitors.

Reasoning:

Below are reasons why individuals may want more than one video card in their computer.

1. Multiple monitor display; allowing certain programs or operating systems to operate on more than one screen.
2. Particular video card required for certain applications that may not work for others.

Additional information:

Before installing a secondary video card it is recommended that you review the below checklist first to help prevent possible issues in the future.

If you are planning on utilizing the multiple monitor support in Windows 98, verify the below information.

Windows 98 Multiple Monitor support requirements:

For Multiple Monitor support to operate you must meet the below requirements:

1. You are running Direct X 5.0 or higher.
2. You are using a PCI / AGP Card listed below each card for each monitor.

Supported Video Cards:

ATI Mach 64 GX, GXD, VT
ATI Graphics Pro Turbo PCI
ATI Graphics Xpression
ATI Rage I, II and II+
ATI All-In-Wonder
ATI 3D Xpression+ (PC2TV)
ATI 3D Xpression+
California Graphics V2/DX
Cirrus 5436
Cirrus 5446
CyberPro 2000A, 2MB
Diamond Fire GL Pro 1000 PCI (AGP)
Diamond Stealth 64 Video 2001
Diamond Stealth 3D 2000 / 3000 / 2000 Pro
ET6000
Hercules Dynamite 128/Video
Hercules Terminator 64/Video
InterGraphics System (IGS)
Jayton Video  - 57P
Micro Crystal VR4000
Micro TwinHead 22SD
Number Nine 9FX Reality 332 / 334 / 772
Permedia*
S3 Aurora
S3 765 (Must be recognized in Device Manager as Trio64V+)
S3 Trio64V2 (DX/GX)
S3 ViRGE
STB PowerGraph 64V+
STB PowerGraph 3D
STB Lightspeed 128
STB MVP 64 / 64 3D
STB Nitro 3D
STB Velocity 3D
STB WorkStation (2 & 4 output)
TI TVP4020, 8MB PCI / AGP
Trident 9685/9680/9682/9385/9382/9385
Videologic GraphicStar 410
ViRGE 325
ViRGE VX (988)
ViRGE DX (385)
ViRGE GX (385)

*The Permedia video card cannot be used as the primary display adapter (The Permedia NT and Permedia-2 do not apply to this rule).

Windows 98 Multiple Monitor issues:

Screen Savers that only work on primary monitor.

Screen savers that are not designed for multiple monitors will only work on the primary monitor. In order for a screen saver to be active on both monitors, it is a necessity that you have a screen saver that supports multiple monitors.

Unable to drag a window from one screen to another.

This issue can occur by one of the below possibilities.

1. The window is maximized, make sure that the window is sized appropriately to drag.
2. Your monitor position is not set properly. Go into your display properties and verify that the secondary monitor is set on the appropriate position.

How to arrange multiple monitors.

1. Click Start / Settings and double-click Display
2. Click the Settings tab
3. Move the screen icons to the appropriate position based on preference or how the monitors are setup on your computer desk.

MS-DOS program is not full screen.

On the appropriate monitor with the MS-DOS window open, press ALT + Enter.

How to view the same desktop across multiple monitors.

1. Click Start / Settings and double-click Display
2. Click the Settings tab
3. Click the monitor that you wish to use and select the "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor" option.