Using the multi-monitor feature of ThinkPad computers under Windows 2000
Multi-monitor support is a new feature to Windows 2000 Professional. It provides the users
the enhanced viewing capability that the desktop computers in office environments offer.
However, this capability depends on whether the display or video card adapter supports this
feature as well as its device driver under Windows 2000. Refer to the Windows 2000
Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) to determine whether your video display adapter supports
multi-monitor capability under this operating system.
Some ACPI ThinkPad models support the multi-monitor capability when an add-on PCI
video adapter is installed in the IBM SelectaDock-III docking station. Any ACPI-supported
ThinkPad model that can dock onto this docking station can use a supported PCI video
adapter to configure the multi-monitor feature under Windows 2000. Here are some tips on
how to configure multi-monitor support:
•
Verify that you can disable VGA mode on your PCI display adapter card. If your
display adapter card enables VGA mode by the default, disable this feature. On some
display adapter cards, you can either disable VGA mode by setting a hardware
jumper or use a software configuration program.
Because the multi-monitor feature works only when the add-on video card is set as
the secondary display adapter, VGA resource needs to be disabled. The ThinkPad
built-in display device must be configured as the primary display adapter in order for
multi-monitoring to function properly.
•
You will also need to set a BIOS setting on your ThinkPad computer to enable the
multi-monitor feature support. This setting will set the internal display on your
ThinkPad computer as the primary display adapter. In order for the multi-monitor
feature to function properly, this BIOS setting must be enabled. To enable the multi-
monitor feature, follow these steps:
1. Turn on your computer, then press and hold the ‘F1’ key until the
Easy-
Setup
menu appears on your screen.
2. Select
Config
?
Display
?
Multiple
.
3. Click [OK] to save the settings, and then click [Exit]. Click ‘Restart’; then
exit the “Easy-Setup” menu.
4. Dock your computer to the SelectaDock-III docking station with the multi-
monitor PCI video adapter installed.
5. Start your computer, and then logon to Windows 2000 Professional with an
Administrator user account.
6. Windows 2000 will start and will configure your docking profile , if it does
not already exist. At this time, the LCD screen only will be activated.
•
After Windows 2000 res tarts with an add-on PCI display adapter installed on the
docking station, follow the instructions below to enable and adjust your desktop
settings for multi-monitor support:
1. Click:
Start
?
Settings
?
Control Panel
.
2. Double-click on the
Display
applet. After the “Display Properties” window
opens, click the ‘Settings ’ tab.
3. Two monitor icons will be displayed in the “Display Properties” window:
•
Your ThinkPad’s LCD display
•
Your PCI multi-monitor display device (which will be initially be
unavailable as a selection)
