windows vista - DVI 'Y' spliter and 2 monitors

07
2014-07
  • ali

    I have set up 2 monitors on my PC (Window Vista Home Edition) and connected them with a 'Y' splitter DVI cable to extend my desktop. The problem is it won't extend. All it does is mirroring the desktop. Please let me know how to extend. I have tried several times by going through the settings but no luck.

    • Answers
  • Big Chris

    A "Y" splitter will only ever duplicate the signal - thus the mirroring. You must have a graphics card capable of dual monitors. Some specialist cards have one socket but have a custom cable to connect multiple monitors.

    Does your motherboard have two DVI sockets, or a DVI and a VGA? If it had either then you should be able to use two monitors independently. If you only have one DVI or VGA then you will only ever get one monitor output.

  • Sickest

    A Y splitter does exactly what you said, SPLITS the connection. It will NEVER allow you to extend your monitor.

    The only way you're going to be able to extend your monitor is with ANOTHER VGA/DVI/HDMI port along with the primary output.


    • Related Question

    DVI to RCA: Dual Monitor
  • RyanScottLewis

    I have onboard video with DVI and VGA out. Right now I'm using the VGA out to connect to my monitor, but if I buy this: DVI to RCA cable
    Will I be able to have dual monitor support, one for my current monitor and one for my TV?

    I'm looking to watch videos on my tv while I surf the web and stuff on my monitor.

    I've already figured out that my motherboard can support dual monitors , as discussed in this thread: Dual monitor support

    Edit:

    That DVI to RCA cable has some pretty bad reviews... just to clarify, I want to hook the DVI out on my onboard video to a tv like you would connect a game console to a tv


    • Related Answers
  • bobince

    Judging by the picture of your motherboard on the other question, it has a DVI-D connector (digital only; missing the four pins at the side) and not a DVI-I (both analogue and digital).

    DVI->component-RCA cables like this work on the analogue signal (converting digital to analogue is a much harder task!) so this cable will presumbly not work on your setup.

    If you could connect your monitor to the DVI (if it's a flatscreen you definitely want to be running it digital anyway), then you could use the VGA to connect to the TV. There are many VGA->3xRCA converters available, both cables and boxes.