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What is Multi-monitor?
The existence of multiple display devices on one system gives the user a number of possible configuration options. For example, two devices can be driven independently with different content, resolutions and color depth on each in order to increase desktop space. Another possible configuration sends the same content to different monitors to give a presentation to a large audience.
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Multi-monitor support on the Mobile Intel® 82945G Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Microsoft Windows 2000*. Windows XP*, and Windows Vista* operating systems have enabled support for multi-monitor displays. Since the Mobile Intel® 82945G Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) has several ports available for its two pipes, it can support up to two images on different display devices. Timings and resolutions for these two images can be different. The Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset family supports Intel® Dual Display Clone and Extended Desktop.
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The GMCH graphics engine is incapable of operating in parallel with an external PCI Express* graphics device. But, the GMCH graphics engine can work in conjunction with a PCI graphics adapter. | |
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Multi-Monitor Option: Intel® Dual Display Clone
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The Intel Dual Display Clone is used to drive multiple displays with the same content and is beneficial when using various display types and sizes. For example, one pipe can drive an integrated LCD, while the other pipe drives an analog overhead projector that only syncs to particular resolutions and refresh rates.
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To activate Dual Display Clone (See Figure 1):
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Open the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile window by one of these methods:
- Pressing Ctrl Alt F12 keys simultaneously
- Right-clicking the Windows* desktop and selecting Graphics Properties
- Opening Windows* Display Control Panel and selecting Settings > Advanced > Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile > Graphics Properties
Enable the Intel® Dual Display Clone setting in the Display Devices section. Choose one device as the Primary Device and one as the Secondary Device. Then click Apply.
Figure 1: Intel® Dual Display Clone setting
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Multi-monitor option: Extended Desktop
- Extended Desktop refers to the ability of a single adapter with at least two display pipes to support multiple monitor configurations.
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An important use of the Extended Desktop function is allowing a large Windows* desktop spanning multiple displays that creates more screen space than one display. | |
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The Display icon in Windows* Control Panel or the Display Devices section of the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile window can be used to configure the size and relative position of each monitor. (See Figure 2.)
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Applications can be moved from one monitor to another, or can be on more than one monitor simultaneously.
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To activate Extended Desktop, open the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile window. Open this window by:
- Pressing Ctrl, Alt, and F12 keys at the same time or
- Right-clicking on Windows* desktop and selecting Graphics Properties, or
- Opening Windows* Display Control Panel and selecting Settings > Advanced > Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile > Graphics Properties. Enable the Extended Desktop setting in the Display Devices section. Choose one device to be the Primary Device and one to be the Secondary Device. Click Apply.
Figure 2: Extended Desktop setting
Display output options can also be enabled directly from the Windows desktop. Right-click the blank area of the desktop to access the Graphics Options menu. The output options are listed. (See Figure 3).
Figure 3: Graphics output options as seen on the Windows* Desktop
- Application behavior varies in a multi-monitor configuration depending on their implementation options:
- Standard Windows applications using the GDI (Graphics Device Interface), clip the window to each display and accelerate the images separately using the display hardware.
- Applications spanning multiple monitors and using Microsoft DirectX*, Direct3D* or DirectDraw* are software accelerated.
- OpenGL* applications can exit unexpectedly, or can hardware accelerate one display with unknown results on the other, or can be software accelerated.
- A full screen command prompt or MS-DOS* application only functions on the Primary Display device.
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Computer Requirements for Multi-Monitor
- A computer based on integrated Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family that has dual pipe enabled by the computer manufacturer
- Two or more display devices (such as notebook display, DVI, TV, analog monitor, external flat panel, etc.)
- Microsoft Windows 2000*, Windows XP*, or Windows Vista*
- The Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver is installed.
Related Topics:
Mobile Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family Datasheet
How do I get the latest graphics driver?
Operating System:
| Windows XP Professional x64 Edition*, Windows Vista 64*, Windows Vista *, Windows Vista 32*, Windows 2000 *, Windows XP Professional*, Windows XP Home Edition* |
This applies to:
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