TripleHead2Go and KVM

strydyr · Post by **strydyr** » 18 Feb 2007, 03:29

JKeefe:

I've been exploring other options, along the lines of what you suggested... I think I may be on the verge of getting something to work.

The problem is that I need multiple hardware profiles to pull it off, which means (I think) that I'd need to restart my computer every time I fired up a game. Is there a better way to enable/disable monitors?

Here's what I'm thinking:

One profile would only use a single output from my primary card, which would loop through the TH2Go, the KVM, etc.

The other profiler would disable that, and enable the other 3 outputs on my machine. Two leads would loop through another port on the KVM, and the other (DVI) would go straight to the left monitor, allowing me to switch that way.

Other than "multiple hardware profiles", the only solution I'm seeing is to go into the setup, disable three monitors, enable the other one, then switch the KVM and the left monitor input.

How do you do all of your switching when you push the monitor in/out of TH2Go mode? Do you actually change the resolution and disable the other two monitors, or have you found an easier method?

Thanks!

strydyr · Post by **strydyr** » 18 Feb 2007, 08:03

I've been exploring other options, along the lines of what you suggested...

An update:

I went ahead and tested this. I'm not enamored with my current best solution; but, its somewhat workable.

Right now, to switch from my 3 monitor/UltraMon (business) setup to TH2Go (gaming), I have 4 steps.

1) Restart the machine
2) Choose "Game" hardware profile during startup
3) Change my active KVM port
4) Press "2" on the left-most monitor to change inputs.

It's possible to reconfigure this without restarting through the Windows Display Settings... I might be able to pull this off with a macro, though I'm sure it will wreak havoc on my desktop icons.

Anyway, I'm still hoping you've found something to make your reconfiguration easier; but, I wanted to say thank you again, it looks like you've helped me find a _tolerable_ solution, and I'll likely be keeping the TH2Go after all.

JKeefe · Post by **JKeefe** » 20 Feb 2007, 22:20

Good to see you've found something (sort of) workable.

I deal very simply with my switching. I don't have a KVM or external switch or any of your other complicated equipment. I simply have three monitors, 6 VGA cables, and a TripleHead2Go.

Code: Select all



   [[LEFT  MONITOR]]    [CENTER  MONITOR]    [[RIGHT MONITOR]]

   input 1   input 2    input 1   input 2    input 1   input 2

      |          |         |                    |         |

      |          |         |___                 |         |

      |          |             |                |         |

      |          |___________[T2Go]_____________|         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |____[SECONDARY GPU]      |______[PRIMARY GPU]______|

Running the TripleHead2Go at a single-monitor res turns off the outside monitors. I then switch them to the other input extend my windows desktop. There is no enabling/disabling and there is no resolution changing.

starfighter · Post by **starfighter** » 21 Feb 2007, 00:36

Good to see you've found something (sort of) workable.

I deal very simply with my switching. I don't have a KVM or external switch or any of your other complicated equipment. I simply have three monitors, 6 VGA cables, and a TripleHead2Go.

Code: Select all



   [[LEFT  MONITOR]]    [CENTER  MONITOR]    [[RIGHT MONITOR]]

   input 1   input 2    input 1   input 2    input 1   input 2

      |          |         |                    |         |

      |          |         |___                 |         |

      |          |             |                |         |

      |          |___________[T2Go]_____________|         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |____[SECONDARY GPU]      |______[PRIMARY GPU]______|

Running the TripleHead2Go at a single-monitor res turns off the outside monitors. I then switch them to the other input extend my windows desktop. There is no enabling/disabling and there is no resolution changing.

Very interesting config. a little bit strange for most people but you certainly have your reasons,,,

JKeefe · Post by **JKeefe** » 21 Feb 2007, 17:55

Once you get used to Ultramon, passing it up and letting Windows think you have a single screen is unnaceptable to me. Before I was a triple monitor user, I was a dual monitor user. I suspect that many people may go from single to triple and thus never realize how much better 2D triple monitors could be than what Matrox allows.

Post by **wazoo** » 10 Mar 2007, 07:09

Good to see you've found something (sort of) workable.

I deal very simply with my switching. I don't have a KVM or external switch or any of your other complicated equipment. I simply have three monitors, 6 VGA cables, and a TripleHead2Go.

Code: Select all



   [[LEFT  MONITOR]]    [CENTER  MONITOR]    [[RIGHT MONITOR]]

   input 1   input 2    input 1   input 2    input 1   input 2

      |          |         |                    |         |

      |          |         |___                 |         |

      |          |             |                |         |

      |          |___________[T2Go]_____________|         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |                         |                         |

      |____[SECONDARY GPU]      |______[PRIMARY GPU]______|

Running the TripleHead2Go at a single-monitor res turns off the outside monitors. I then switch them to the other input extend my windows desktop. There is no enabling/disabling and there is no resolution changing.

Joe,

This setup seems to make the most sense to me based upon the limitations of 2D desktop work with the TH2G which you describe in your review (great review BTW).

Question: I assume you are running an SLI config as this takes three graphics ports. If so, is it possible to utilize the 4th graphics out and have a complete switchover to alternate inputs for all three monitors thereby bypassing the TH2G completely?

Assuming that is possibe, is it a net negative, net positive or net neutral keeping the center monitor on the TH2G?

Thanks for any help on this... I just want to know what I am in for when I make the switch.

:D

JKeefe · Post by **JKeefe** » 12 Mar 2007, 16:05

Nope, no SLI. I just have dual video cards. The "real" card is a 7900GT, and I'm using boith outputs. The secondary card is a cheap MX4000 and I'm using one of the two outputs.

I suppose I could also switch the center monitor and bypass the T2Go completely. The problem with this, though, is that Windows knows there is a monitor there, and I think there will be desktop on it that you will never see. It would be possible to turn this phantom monitor off ont he Windows desktop expect for the fact that it is the primary output on the primary dispaly adapter - that means it won't go away. And you have to have your TripleHead2Go on this output or it won't work correctly.

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