Possibly an old AIW 9600XT question, but first time for me.

[Frank]

I have just recently tried using two monitors on my AIW 9600XT, the
problem is I only get the background picture of my desktop on the
second monitor. No icons, nothing else. Even when I run a program, the
second monitor still only shows the background desktop picture. When I
power up, the second monitor shows everything the first monitor shows
until I get to the windows welcome screen, then it goes blank. Then
after windows startup completes, just the background picture. I am a
teacher. What I'm trying to do is use the second monitor for the class
to see everything I'm doing on my PC so I don't have to explain
everything. Is there something I'm missing? Maybe something in the
card's software I'm not doing? I do not have the Catalyst Control
Center software installed as I have read in this group that it's
basically useless, unless it is required to do what I want, then I
will attempt the install. I know ATI's software is nightmare to get
everything running correctly, so the less changes the better. Thank
you for your time with this problem.

Frank

 

[Barry Watzman]

There is a lot that you are missing.

There are [at least] three modes for dual monitors:

-Clone mode [both monitors show the same thing]
-Extended desktop [dual independent desktops]
-Theatre mode [2nd monitor displays video playback full screen]

Clone mode is the least sophisticated of the 3 and isn't what dual
monitors are normally used for ... in fact, clone mode is better
implemented externally with a "VGA Splitter"

You want clone mode, but your system is running in extended desktop
mode. You should be able to change that with settings in display
properties and/or the drivers.

 

[Frank]

There is a lot that you are missing.

There are [at least] three modes for dual monitors:

-Clone mode [both monitors show the same thing]
-Extended desktop [dual independent desktops]
-Theatre mode [2nd monitor displays video playback full screen]

Clone mode is the least sophisticated of the 3 and isn't what dual
monitors are normally used for ... in fact, clone mode is better
implemented externally with a "VGA Splitter"

You want clone mode, but your system is running in extended desktop
mode. You should be able to change that with settings in display
properties and/or the drivers.

The only things pertaining to the monitors under Display Properties
are two check boxes. One says 'Use this device as the primary monitor'
and the other says 'Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor'. The
only way I get anything out of the second monitor is with the 'Extend
my Windows desktop onto this monitor' box checked. If I check the 'Use
this device as the primary monitor', which is only available with the
'Extend' box checked, then all my icons appear on the monitor I want
to use as secondary and my regular monitor ends up with just the
background picture. ... As I stated previously, I do not have Catalyst
Control Certer installed ... Do I need to install it in order to get
these 'modes' to show up?

Frank