MadDog's Day Trading and Investing InfoHouse - Multiple Displays: Windows 2000

Multiple Displays: Overview

Windows 98

Windows 2000

Windows ME

Windows XP

Multiport Cards

Myths & Realities

Yes, it is possible under Windows 2000 to run multiple displays on your PC by combining single-port graphics cards (up to 10), similar in fashion to Windows 98 (which supports up to 9 displays). And no, Microsoft still hasn't hardly ever said squat about it, either in their marketing materials or support documents. If you have questions regarding particular graphics card combinations, I suggest using the Microsoft support document immediately following that lists graphics adapters compatible with Windows 2000, and use the support document from Microsoft that details hardware supported under Windows 98 (see the Windows 98 section) as a secondary guide, along with the table of tested hardware.

Note: You may still have a valid reason to select one or more of the higher-end multiport cards from Appian, Colorgraphic Communications, Matrox or elsewhere. Some of these adapters are well-suited for high-end graphics applications (such as speedy 3D and high color-depth/resolution) or stock trading, and you may want to review their specs to see if they are a better choice for your situation. Plus, they may be a better solution if your PC is short on available slots, and/or you want to add more than one additional monitor to your system. Some of the cards can be combined to enable a 16-monitor system! Microsoft even lists some of the manufacturers in the following support document:

Third-Party Solutions to Multiple Monitor Support for Windows

Note: In their infinite wisdom, Microsoft has eliminated the previously posted (and extremely useful) support document [Latest Windows 2000/Windows NT Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)] that noted graphics adapters that could be used as secondary adapters under Windows 2000. Immediately following is the only replacement document I have found thus far. It lists adapters that are either "compatible" with the various operating system versions, or have "logo" (higher) status. Multidisplay support is not specifically broken out as before, and you are left to assume support is inherent if the product has "compatible" or "logo" designations. Take these designations with a grain of salt. I've already found one adapter (ATI Radeon VE) that has "logo" status with Windows XP, and it has problems with multiple display support.

Latest Windows Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)

In any event, following are the major documents in the Microsoft Windows 2000 technical support database that pertain to multiple display support. I will add specific product information and additional support documents as they appear.

Note: If you upgrade to Windows 2000 from a Microsoft Windows 98-based computer using multiple monitors, only one monitor may work. Windows 2000 uses a different multiple monitor architecture than Windows 98. Windows 2000 always installs new video drivers during an upgrade. As a result, video adapters are re-enumerated and any video settings, such as multiple monitor settings, are lost. A support document listed below discusses this issue.

How to Set Up and Troubleshoot Multiple Monitors in Windows 2000

ATI

ATI LT Rage Pro Does Not Work when Used as a Secondary Display Adapter

ATI MACH 64 PCI Configured as Secondary Adapter is not Initialized

Distortion Using ATI VT4 or Rage2C as Secondary Display

Problems Using ATI Rage Pro Turbo Video Adapter as Secondary Adapter

Cannot Use Two ATI RAGE 128 Video Adapters with Multiple Monitors

Miscellaneous

How to Adjust Multiple Monitor Layout in Windows 2000

Cannot Move Programs Between Multiple Monitors

Problems After Installing Secondary Video Adapter

Upgrading from Windows 98 Does Not Retain Multiple Monitors

Windows 2000 Setup Switches the Primary Monitor During Setup

Program Window Disappears When Dragged to Different Monitor

Desktops May Not Align Correctly with Multiple Monitors

A Disabled Secondary Monitor May Be Enabled If the Primary Monitor Resolution Is Changed and Then Cancelled

PCI Video Adapter May Not Function on Secondary PCI Bus

Computer Runs Out of System Page Table Entries with Multiple Monitors

Enable Pointer Shadow Option May Not Work with Multimon

Taskbar Can Only Appear on One of Your Multiple Monitors

Taskbar and Desktop Icons Do Not Display on Primary Monitor

Focus Feature Is Incorporated in Windows 2000 Multiple Monitor Support

A Window Is Positioned Outside of the Viewable Area After Moving the Position of a Monitor in a Multi-Monitor Environment

Pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE and Then Cancel Appears to Disconnect the Session

Explanation of Error Codes Generated by Device Manager

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