Dual Monitors for Gaming/IM?

I'm going to pick up an adapter for my Macbook Pro to hook it into my HDTV. I'm wondering how I would set a dual monitor setup in Windows XP so that I can have the HDTV running a game (nothing too demanding, just Phantasy Star Online) but still have my Windows desktop running for stuff like IM and IRC and such. Can this be done using the 9600M GT?

 

When you are running a full screen game I don't think it can be done. I have an external monitor hooked into my notebook, but if the game is full screen you still have to alt tab out to use the mouse on the other screen.

If it's in a window you can simply move the mouse over there after you have it set up.

 

Well you can run the game in window mode by editing the short target, by adding a "-w" after the last quote.

 

PSO supports native Windowed mode so I don't think that would be much of a problem. Does the Nvidia software support dual monitors? I would assume so. Can I have both monitors running at their respective native res, or is it simply one large resolution spread across both monitors?

 

If the game has a windowed mode then it will work. Otherwise the game will be on top and you will only be able to see whats going on the other screen. I play WoW in windowed mode so I can have it up on my internal 17in lcd, and my 24in LCD handles the rest of my multitasking. I too like to have AIM open, as well as vent to see who is talking. But also I find that I code alot while raiding, as I find it the best use of my time.

 

You change the resolution of each monitor independently through either Windows (Personalize>Display Settings) or through the Nvidia Control Panel (Display>Set up multiple displays).