Gaming in Extended Desktop

[KlausK]

I have an HD3870 (CCC 7.12) in an XP SP2 system and sometimes use the
extended desktop. When I launch games, they always appear on the primary
monitor. Is htere a way to make them appear on the secondary monitor?

 

[First of One]

Do you want games to appear only on the secondary monitor, or are you
looking to have games span both monitors?

 

[Shawk]

I have an HD3870 (CCC 7.12) in an XP SP2 system and sometimes use the
extended desktop. When I launch games, they always appear on the primary
monitor. Is htere a way to make them appear on the secondary monitor?

If you simply want games to start on that monitor because its better for
games (contrast ratio, size or whatever) then you might consider just
making that one the primary in properties? You can change settings back
afterwards if needs be.

 

[KlausK]

If you simply want games to start on that monitor because its better for
games (contrast ratio, size or whatever) then you might consider just
making that one the primary in properties? You can change settings back
afterwards if needs be.

That's what I've been doing but I wonder if there's an easier way. The
secondary monitor is a 47" LCD HDTV and it's much better for gaming

 

[pjp]

That's what I've been doing but I wonder if there's an easier way. The
secondary monitor is a 47" LCD HDTV and it's much better for gaming

Basically think it's more or less restricted to primary display. Not because
it need to be but because game developers basically don't put in the logic
to handle it. I've seen a few games allow one to make the choice but not
many. Much the same problem as having multiple joysticks etc. attached, e.g.
developers just don't make any effort to do it properly.

 

[First of One]

Wouldn't clone mode work? From what I've seen on nVidia cards, this will
replicate everything onto the 2nd monitor, including DirectDraw/Direct3D
apps and games.

Never tried myself, but a helper utility may allow you to create
target-monitor profiles for individual apps.

Try ATi's Hydravision
http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/common/hydravision.html

or Ultramon
http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/

Keep in mind that, even if you do get it working, the game may exhibit weird
behavior (crashes, slow performance). As pjp said, it's because game
developers basically don't put in the logic to handle it.

 

[pjp]

Wouldn't clone mode work? From what I've seen on nVidia cards, this will
replicate everything onto the 2nd monitor, including DirectDraw/Direct3D
apps and games.

Never tried myself, but a helper utility may allow you to create
target-monitor profiles for individual apps.

Try ATi's Hydravision
http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/common/hydravision.html

or Ultramon
http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/

Keep in mind that, even if you do get it working, the game may exhibit weird
behavior (crashes, slow performance). As pjp said, it's because game
developers basically don't put in the logic to handle it.

Yea, clone mode works as expected, least does here on two separate units,
one with nVidia and other with ATI cards. Only gotcha is if using TV as
second monitor as then drivers restrict resolution to see full screen, e.g.
don't go over 1024x768 or you get a window onto bigger display and can't see
it all at once.