Dual-monitor difficulties

I'm trying to hook up my 19" Samsung LCD to my 15.4" HP laptop in an effort to have the Samsung behave as a virtual display (copy every aspect of the primary desktop with the exception of windows). In this way I hope to be able to launch programs from my secondary display and be able to rely completely on it. The Nvidia control software only allows my to clone my primary, extend the primary onto the Samsung, or act as a blank secondary with just my wallpaper on it. These options just don't cut it; since I've seen many multi-monitor setups around the forums, I'm really baffled as to how it is done.

PS; I am running Vista HP.

 

Try using this program called ultramon.
http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/
Unfortunately, it's not free, but it's the best solution I have seen for managing dual displays.

 

Not sure I understand exactly what that means???? Of course I am still on my first Diet Coke of the morning too.

Gary

 

I have the same problem. What driver are you using bc135?

 

I am using an Nvidia driver from laptopvideo2go.com (ver168.09?) since the stock driver could play any of my games or run AutoCAD properly.

Just to clarify, I want the secondary to behave the same way that a virtual montor would; same icons, start bar and wallpaper as the primary, but without cloning the primary. In other words everything is the same between the two monitors but they behave as two different computers. Is my explaination adequate? Thanks for suggesting UltraMon, Andromeda, I will think about it.

 

I simply have the problem that my Vista can't recognize that I have a second monitor hooked up.

 

Can you create a toolbar in Vista by dragging a folder to a screen edge like you can in XP? That might be a work around for you. Create a folder of shortcuts to things you'd like to launch and drag it to an edge of your second screen. Beware that programs and other windows will usually open where they were last closed however.

 

I installed UltraMon last night, ad while it's definately an improvement over the very sparse multi monitor features in the NVidia control panel, I don't think it does quite what you're seemingly looking for.

I'm extending my desktop to the second monitor, and the most notable extra features UltraMon is giving me over the standard extended desktop are:

A taskbar on the secondary display (no startmenu or systray, but each taskbar only shows the applications running on its own monitor, which I find quite useful).

Different wallpapers (which I personally like).

"Move to other monitor" and "maximize to desktop" options in title bar menus (the extra optional buttons don't show with Vista Aero). Not that I expect to be using those much - dragging a window is just as fast.

Seemingly better at remembering window sizes and locations on different monitors, including restoring things correctly when you turn off or on the secondary display.

 

I don't think that UltraMon allows me to set the secondary to behave as a virtual monitor though...