NP9262 / 901C can you have 2 external monitors displaying multiple apps / docs?

This has been reposted here as I was advised this was the best location, sorry if that causes a problem to the mods.

As I am new here just wanted to firstly say hello to all other members and try to get a firm accurate answer to two questions I have either been given or read conflicting information.

Now for my problem, as with many people from what I have read on this site, I also have been trying to decide which notebook is best for me either the NP9262 or NP5796 my requirements as simple;

Must be able to connect 2 external monitors and display different multiple apps and documents (as with desktop multitasking).

Must have redundant data protection RAID 1

Question 1:

NP9262
I have been told by a notebook vendor that the NP9262 (theirs is a different name) I can connect 2 external monitors and display different multiple apps and documents as it has 1 x DVI and 1 x VGA ports but I have also read on this forum that it is not possible without using the Matrox DualHead2Go.

Can someone who either owns or retails the NP9262 please advise what can and can not be done in relation to connecting 2 external monitors and displaying different multiple apps and documents.

NP5796
I understand that I must use the Matrox DualHead2Go.

Question 2:

NP5796
Is it possible to setup RAID 1 using the internal Sata Hard Drive and external Sata Hard Drive via the eSATA port on the NP5796 and if yes, does disconnecting the external drive prior to transit effect the integrity of the data or RAID 1 setup?

NP9262
I understand it supports RAID 0 1 5

Sorry if these questions sound stupid but I am a Techo Idiot.

Look forward to any help…

 

I think you can only do 1 at a time.

So you might need to use the Matrox.

In any case, try to confirm, go PM:
- ARGH
- sliqsystems
- MastaMarek
- wobble

etc...

there are many owners, they might give you a quicker answer than you waiting for this thread.

 

Thanks again Gophn I will try sending a few PM.... well after much searching I have found that I do not have PM enabled by Administration, maybe that is because I am a new member? guess I will have to wait for a reply here, anyway thanks again for your help...

 

I don't have 2 external monitors to try.Sorry.

 

Of course you can run the VGA and DVI at the same time. (have to turn off the laptop screen of course)

Now you may have to get drivers from laptopvideo2go because the manufacturer drivers may force the laptop screen to be the primary.
At least the drivers used to do this, things may have changed recently.

I have hooked my laptop up with VGA and HDMI to the same TV and ran dual 1080p to it and switched inputs to see the 2 desktops working.
That is not a proper test of course but you can run dual monitors.
The laptop should support at least 2048x1536 on VGA and 2560x1600 on the dual link DVI at the same time.

If you don't believe me I could probably get a shot of my projector running 1080p side by side with a 50 inch plasma next time I bring it home.

 

Question 1:
The NP9262 does support dualview, but I'm not sure about the NP5796. To enable dualview on the laptop, right click on the Windows desktop. On your right-click menu, select "Properties". In the window that appears, click the "Settings" tab. It should show two monitors with numbers. Click on the one numbered "2", and then at the bottom of the window click the box that says "Extend my Windows desktop on to this monitor".


Question 2:
It's not possible to set up RAID with a combination of internal and external hard drives. Well, it might be possible if you use some sort of software-based RAID controller, but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

replied in green text

 

Firstly I wish to thank everyone for the information and help, Reps left for DarkSmiley, ARGH and Bill F and also thanks to RAMBO29 for reading and replying to my question.

Just to clarify for ARGH what I wish to do is to be able to turn off the notebook screen and use two 19” external monitors for multitasking of different apps and files on the different screens at the same time.

I have this multitasking setup on the desktop that I am replacing it is purely for multitasking of work and nothing to do with games or stretching images across multiple screens.

Also thanks for the image, that’s what I need just on two 19” external monitors.

Also Bill F’s advice on the laptopvideo2go drivers seems very good advice which I have read in many other threads and intend to use.

Again thanks for all the advice.

 

For the RAID I saw on the service manual the D901C does indeed have 3 extra SATA slots that aren't hooked up. If you could somehow wire those to ESATAs on the back of the laptop you could probably do a RAID0+1 or something.

Of course being able to wire that up is an impossible expectation of you. (I can't do it either)
Now you can use an ESATA card and run 2 desktop HDDs in RAID 1 or 0.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839228001
I own this card and it is a good solution to adding Esata to the D901C.
If you wanted a lot of HDD space like if you were doing video rendering at work, you could even get a device like this.
http://silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=ds351&area= (edit: You'll need a special type of ESATA card for that)

I would recommend that you go RAID0 with 3 drives in the D901C and then use a desktop drive on ESATA for backup.
This will have some advantages to doing RAID1 or 5 inside the laptop. (like you will have the data if the laptop gets stolen, lost, ect)
You will also have more space available, and more speed.
You could get 3x 250 GB drives in a RAID0 for cheap then get a 750 GB desktop drive for under $100 for backup and use it with that ESATA card.
Since RAID setups can sometimes be unreliable for various reasons, it will be easier to pull the backup off a single desktop drive.

 

I do the same, it works out just great Using the VGA and the DVI at the same time. Only thing is that you cant't use SLI. But I think with Nvidias "big bang 2" they've made that possible too. Not sure though..

 

Hi Deodot this is ecactly what I needed confirmed, thank you REP will be left when I can..

Hi Bill F thank you for the RAID and backup info and your views, what I think will be the best for me is that I setup 2 x 320GB 7,200 WD in RAID 1 and 1 x External HDD I think this will give me what I need, 100% data redundancy if I have a HD failure and 1 x External HD for backup where I will save ghost images of disk and partitions in case the notebook is lost, stollen or turned into a toaster...

I wish to thank everyone who helped me work through these issues, now I just have to shell out the $$$ for the D901C today...

 

Simply a reiteration/confirmation of what others have said ... running dual (external) monitors works well. I've been running two 24" Dell 2405FPW's at 1920x1200 (3840x1200 desktop) with ease on my Sager 9262 (single 8800M GTX) using the DVI and VGA (w/VGA - DVI adapter) ports. Naturally, the laptop's integrated screen is off. It also works equally well with games I've played that support multi-monitors (mainly Supreme Commander/World In Conflict). I've found UltraMon to be extremely useful in simplifying my multi-monitor setups, particularly when dealing with desktop backgrounds and the taskbar, although it's certainly not neccessary. Best of luck.

 

Hi NeedleArtist thanks for the confirmation your setup is exactly what I need for my work also I will have a look at UltraMon Rep left...