Help! I need a half height PCI Express graphics card that supports two monitors (VGA,DVI)

[LarryK]

Hello,
I'm trying to find a half height PCI Express video card which
supports two monitors. I want to be able to span two monitors under
Windows XP. The card should have a DVI output and a VGA output. I
can't seem to find such a card. Does anyone know of a model with this
configuration? All of the ASUS cards are full height if they have both
outputs and half height with one VGA output. This silly Optiplex 280
from Dell has built in video support on the motherboard as well as a
PCI Express slot but Windows XP halts with a "Invalid Graphics Mode"
when I try to drive both monitors.

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Thank,

Larry

 

[CapFusion]

Hello,
I'm trying to find a half height PCI Express video card which
supports two monitors. I want to be able to span two monitors under
Windows XP. The card should have a DVI output and a VGA output. I
can't seem to find such a card. Does anyone know of a model with this
configuration? All of the ASUS cards are full height if they have both
outputs and half height with one VGA output. This silly Optiplex 280
from Dell has built in video support on the motherboard as well as a
PCI Express slot but Windows XP halts with a "Invalid Graphics Mode"
when I try to drive both monitors.

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Thank,

Larry

As of today or month of October 2004, PCI-E do not have half-height card
exist or as I aware of.
Best bet if you can, look for a PCI version instead.
I assumed you talking about this model -
OptiPlex GX280
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/optix_gx280?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz

If you have the SF or SD version, you may need to wait awhile.
If you have the SMT, full size card should be ok.

CapFusion,...

 

[LarryK]

Thanks for the post. Well, I found this card. I called ABit and they
said this was a half height card. Notice, it has a full height bracket
on the end but I think I can take that off and stick the VGA output
out another slot to hook it up to my other monitor. The guy at ABit
said it will support two monitors. I'll let you know if it works...

http://www.provantage.com/buy-7abit...rd-128mb-ddr-memory-windows-abit-shopping.htm

Regards,

Larry

 

[peter]

I took a good look at that picture and others of the same card (google search)
and I must tell you that is a solid piece of metal thats holding those outputs
together.On one website it even looks as though something is holding that VGA
connector to the main body of the card.I would endeavor to see the card in
person before buying it.

peter

 

[First of One]

Low-profile cards (at least the retail boxed ones) usually come with an
alternative low-profile bracket that can be used in place of the standard
one. In fact, if the bracket weren't detachable, there would be no point in
having the VGA connector on a separate ribbon cable.

 

[Noozer]

But who says that the picture on that website is an accurate representation
of the card?

 

[LarryK]

The good news is that the card works and supports two monitors! Yeah!

The bad news is that I can't see any way to get that bracket off of
the card. Maybe I'm missing something. Right now, my case is stuck
open. I was able to unscrew the VGA connector from the bracket and
connect the monitor through another slot. I'm going to take my tin
snips to the top of the bracket so I can get my case closed.

I complained to the guy at ABit about the fact that they were selling
a half height card with a full height bracket.... I didn't see another
bracket in the box...

Regards,

Larry

 

[LarryK]

Ok, the full height bracket does come off of the card. You just have
to remove the screws holding on the DVI and VGA outputs. This card
does not come with a half height bracket. I broke the bracket so I
could use the top part to hold the VGA connector in the next slot.
Now, my two monitor setup works fine. I'm still getting used to
working with two monitors. Visually, it is a little disturbing at
first..

Regards,

Larry