Vga Splitter and Dual Monitor

[Jackenstein]

So my computer appears to have 2 vga's in the back but one of them seems to be connected to the mother board. Because when I plug it in the display does not detect or turn on. So I bought a Vga spillter and now both displays work but are cloned and I want to extend them. One of my displays is a tv and the other is just a regular monitor. My graphics card is a Nividia Gefore GT 620. Thanks

 

[Alabalcho]

A splitter is just that - it splits the signal from one source to two (or more) destinations. it is of no use for you (unless you want just that, two monitors displaying same picture).

If you want to extend your desktop, you need a video card with two outputs. Check your current video card, quite possibly it has another interface (DVI, HDMI) you can use.

 

[Jackenstein]

How do you suggest checking for that sort of thing? I'm pretty new to pc's and so I wouldn't know what to look for

 

[Alabalcho]

Your video card should have a user manual, and spec sheet detailing what if is capable of. Your other option - take a picture of your card connectors, post it here.
Finally - when you go to Display Properties, do you see an option for second monitor?

 

[Jackenstein]

Well it definitively is capable it says it on the specs on the NVIDIA website. but like I said there are two ports on the back and only one of them work

 

[Alabalcho]

Does your video card has two ports? There are plenty of NVidia GT620 cards (not necessary made by NVidia) ...
As you have discovered, the video port on your motherboard gets disabled by the video card, so your only option is to check whether your video card has second video output. Most video cards manufactured in last 10 years or so are at least dual-port (e.g. VGA and DVI, or DVI and HDMI, etc), so it is up to you to discover what you have.

And what do your Display Properties say about how many monitors you can have?

 

[Jackenstein]

My display properties say I have one, so you are suggesting going into my pc and checking that way correct?

 

[giantbucket]

your motherboard has a VGA output connector? and the GT620 card has one too? ok, you can actually (usually) run both onboard+card at the same time if you go into BIOS and make a change.

when you start your computer, hit the Del key (fast & often) to get you into the BIOS screen. from there, look for anything that talks about IGPU or graphics port. there ought to be an option that lets you "keep IGPU enabled when PCIe card is installed" or something along those lines. if you ah heck something up, exit WITHOUT saving, and repeat the boot-Del process until you're feeling confident with whatever you changed. then, exit AND SAVE CHANGES.

now when you boot into Windows and plug your two TVs / monitors into the VGA ports (one on motherboard, other on GT620 card), it should detect both and let you extend the desktop.