How do I add Monitor for Extended Display: Only one VGA Port

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  1. Posts : 76
    Windows 10
       #1

    How do I add Monitor for Extended Display: Only one VGA Port


    Hello:

    I have Dell Desktop with Intel integrated graphics card. There's is only one VGA port in the back of the tower. I do see what appears to be an HDMI port directly above that.

    I'd like to add another monitor so as to have an extended display. I did try a USB to VGA adapter. But those really do require USB 3. I have only USB 2

    Is there an inexpensive way to hook up another monitor for regular internet viewing, given that I have only that one VGA port, and one HDMI port?

    Thanks
    Eli
    Windows 10 Version: 1803
    =====================================
    Operating System
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 550 @ 3.20GHz 29 °C
    Clarkdale 32nm Technology
    RAM
    8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0C2KJT (CPU 1)
    Graphics
    DELL SX2210 (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Intel HD Graphics (Dell)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 809
    Win10
       #2

    Why can't you use the HDMI port for the 2nd monitor? The Intel HD should support 2 displays.

    Otherwise, the motherboard does have a PCIe slot that you can install a graphics card into. A GT710 goes for around $35 new - and you can go cheaper with used cards off eBay/Craigslist.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 76
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    PolarNettles said:
    Why can't you use the HDMI port for the 2nd monitor? The Intel HD should support 2 displays.

    Otherwise, the motherboard does have a PCIe slot that you can install a graphics card into. A GT710 goes for around $35 new - and you can go cheaper with used cards off eBay/Craigslist.

    Thanks, Polar:

    I only see a VGA port--and cable coming from-- the 2nd monitor. No HDMI.. I do see HDMI to VGA adapters sold very cheaply though. Would those work for this situation?. It isn't primarily to see videos I want 2nd monitor, though that would be nice as well. It's for everyday display purposes . For visual reasons, I need different display properties for different programs or sites...

    "Otherwise, the motherboard does have a PCIe slot that you can install a graphics card into. A GT710 goes for around $35 new - and you can go cheaper with used cards off eBay/Craigslist"

    If I get another graphics card installed, wouldn't I still face the same issue with having only one VGA port in the back of the tower to connect the second monitor to? Or does installing another graphics card somehow entail creating another VGA outlet.

    I've never gone inside the innards of the tower, so excuse my totally layman level here..I'd need to hire someone to install that card, I'm afraid..But might be worth it

    -eliuri
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 809
    Win10
       #4

    A HDMI->VGA adapter should work. Note that I am not 100% sure that your motherboard supports simultaneous display over the onboard VGA and HDMI ports. The chipset and CPU support it but Dell may not have enabled it. An adapter is $10 so it's worth a try.

    A new graphics card will have its own output ports. Installing a card is dead simple - there's plenty of tutorials on Youtube. Note that many graphics cards no longer come with VGA ports so you may have to hunt for one.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #5

    What is the actual model of the Dell Desktop? What does it show in Device Manager for display adapters?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 76
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    The Dell Model is: Dell Inspiron 580

    Display Adapters (as per device Manager): Intel HD Graphics

    Intel Graphics Driver Version 8.15.10.2900
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #7

    It states on Dell's website that it has HDMI capabilities. You just need a Flatscreen for your second monitor. You can get HDMI to DVI adapters.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 76
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hi:

    I tried hooking it up to a very old IBM monitor using an HDMI to VGA adapter. At first, it didn't detect. But when it did, the extended display I was trying to set up didnt work right. For example The entire taskbar just migrated to secondary monitor. Then I tried again and it said it didnt detect...

    This might be an issue with the secondary monitor. I can try to get another Dell monitor..

    I'm not clear what you mean by HDMI to DVI adapter. Do most monitors generally have a DVI port?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 13,899
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #9

    All setups I've seen that worked with dual monitors used an Add-in PCIe X16 video adapter/card with 2 ports on it, 2 VGA or 2 DVI or 1 VGA and 1 DVI. Getting Windows to recognize and use both can be problematic at times.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 76
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Berton said:
    All setups I've seen that worked with dual monitors used an Add-in PCIe X16 video adapter/card with 2 ports on it, 2 VGA or 2 DVI or 1 VGA and 1 DVI. Getting Windows to recognize and use both can be problematic at times.

    Thanks Berton:

    I gather from the above that its the lack of an add-in graphics card that more likely hampered the dual display, rather than the secondary monitor I tried to use.

    I had actually used that very same monitor to set up extended display with a Windows 7 laptop but that had an AMD graphics card and its own VGA port. It worked nicely..

    Truth is I know very little about graphics cards and installing them....So my apologies if my questions seem primitive..

    Is it true that if I have an integrated Intel Graphics card and then add another one into one of those slots , that I do not need to uninstall or remove the Intel HD Graphics already there now, and can use both? That I can then shift from one to the other?
      My Computer


 

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