Using 2 monitors added to a laptop

[Negotiator]

I'm trying to add 2 monitors to a laptop. I put it into dock that has DVI and VGA outputs, so both monitors are connected. The problem is that the conventional driver on the laptop only supports 2 screens - either laptop+monitor, or 2 monitors, in which case laptop screen is turned off. How can I get extended desktop on the laptop and both monitors?
If it matters, the laptop is Dell Lattitude D630.

Thanks.

[Gee]

I don't think the notebook supports three displays.

[tmpz]

I'm trying to add 2 monitors to a laptop. I put it into dock that has DVI and VGA outputs, so both monitors are connected. The problem is that the conventional driver on the laptop only supports 2 screens - either laptop+monitor, or 2 monitors, in which case laptop screen is turned off. How can I get extended desktop on the laptop and both monitors?
If it matters, the laptop is Dell Lattitude D630.

Thanks.

Something like this, might work:
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=30531&vpn=100-U2-UV12-A1&manufacture=eVGA

[jasperException]

I'm trying to add 2 monitors to a laptop. I put it into dock that has DVI and VGA outputs, so both monitors are connected. The problem is that the conventional driver on the laptop only supports 2 screens - either laptop+monitor, or 2 monitors, in which case laptop screen is turned off. How can I get extended desktop on the laptop and both monitors?
If it matters, the laptop is Dell Lattitude D630.

Thanks.

What dock are you using? At least give us the brand and model of the docking station. Are you using the Dell D/Dock Docking Station? If so, I believe you cannot utilize the laptop screen with the 2 ext. monitor connected and displayed via the DVI and VGA b/c the video output on the docking station is a passthru from the laptop to the ports. It is not a separate standalone video card inside the docking station. It can only output 2 display at a time.. so either laptop + 1 ext. display or 2 ext. display.

Dual Display Support on D-Family & Mobile Workstations (http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/solutions/en/why_ports?c=us&l=en)

There is a PCI card expansion slot (#1 in picture below) within the D/Dock. You can install a PCI video card inside the D/Dock for addition video output. I guess along with the built-in video of the laptop and the PCI video card (if dual video output), you can have 4 displays.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/acc/despestn/en/j0836e31.jpg

[Negotiator]

What dock are you using? At least give us the brand and model of the docking station. Are you using the Dell D/Dock Docking Station? If so, I believe you cannot utilize the laptop screen with the 2 ext. monitor connected and displayed via the DVI and VGA b/c the video output on the docking station is a passthru from the laptop to the ports. It is not a separate standalone video card inside the docking station. It can only output 2 display at a time.. so either laptop + 1 ext. display or 2 ext. display.

Dual Display Support on D-Family & Mobile Workstations (http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/solutions/en/why_ports?c=us&l=en)

There is a PCI card expansion slot (#1 in picture below) within the D/Dock. You can install a PCI video card inside the D/Dock for addition video output. I guess along with the built-in video of the laptop and the PCI video card (if dual video output), you can have 4 displays.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/acc/despestn/en/j0836e31.jpg

That's the exact dock I'm using.

And I don't see a reason to add another videocard. As of right now, which of the screens are on is controlled by software, not hardware limitations. So, as far as I understand, a program that would allow all 3 to be turned on would be sufficient.

Even if I'd decide to install an extra videocard to the dock, what's the point if I will have an option of being able to connect 4 monitors (given the videocard has 2 outputs) + laptop screen, if only 2 of those screens can be on at the same time because of the driver/software?

[jasperException]

You don't seem to understand. The video ports on the docking station are passthru from your laptop meaning that it is not a standalone video card. Unless I am mistaken or outdated in technology-wise, a typical video card can only output 2 displays at a time. The video card on your D630 laptop (whether if it is Intel or Nvidia onboard GPU) can only output video onto 2 displays at a time b/c it is hardware-designed like that. The video module within the docking station is just a passthru for the onboard GPU of the laptop. If your onboard GPU goes KAPOWed... then connecting the laptop to the docking station will not give you any output on monitors attached to the docking station b/c the GPU is KAPOWed. Manufacturers may designed a USB docking station that may output to more than 2 displays but rare. If you attached another PCI video card into the docking station.. then the laptop will recognized it as another separate video card.. and will give you another options for video output via Windows software. So you will get something like this:

From Laptop GPU: Laptop Panel + 1 ext. monitor
From PCI video in dock: 1 ext. monitor.

This won't happen:
From Laptop GPU: Laptop Panel + 2 ext. monitor
From PCI video installed in dock: not connected to an monitor.



And I don't see a reason to add another videocard. As of right now, which of the screens are on is controlled by software, not hardware limitations. So, as far as I understand, a program that would allow all 3 to be turned on would be sufficient.

That is true which screens are on is controlled by software but hardware limited to 2 displays at a time only. You won't find a software that overcome hardware limitation. You might find a software that output to a display using USB connection if the display support video thru the USB port (like that the picture frame). It is more like taking a screenshoot and passing each screenshoot to the display via USB port rapidly to simulate a video.


Even if I'd decide to install an extra videocard to the dock, what's the point if I will have an option of being able to connect 4 monitors (given the videocard has 2 outputs) + laptop screen, if only 2 of those screens can be on at the same time because of the driver/software?

If you installed extra video card, windows will know and will allow you to display up to 4 displays using 2 from your laptop GPU and 2 from your extra video card at the same time. Windows XP/Vista/7 do support this.

[Negotiator]

Alright, thanks. Looks like it's a bit more complicated than I expected at first....