Looking for a couple of items

[XL]

1 - A wireless keyboard that has a touch pad (like on a laptop, don't know the actual term) incorporated into it.

2 - a cheap graphics card that will allow me to run two monitors from my PC

Preferably UK sites.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135103 - Keyboard

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/182095 - GFX Card

That has a DVI and an HDMI output. You can buy simple converters for HDMI to DVI or vice-versa if you need to.

[Jura]

There's this one but is very expensive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126008&cm_re=dinovo-_-23-126-008-_-Product

[XL]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135103 - Keyboard

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/182095 - GFX Card

That has a DVI and an HDMI output. You can buy simple converters for HDMI to DVI or vice-versa if you need to.
Thanks for that Hasney. Got the keyboard on order.

I might be being ignorant here but I'm not sure on my outputs. I currently have my PC connected to a HD TV, but that has inputs to use a "normal" PC to Monitor cable. I wanna be able to run the HD tv and the old monitor together.

[Vietnamese Crippler]

If the video card you have (or going to buy) has two outputs, that shouldn't be a problem.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Thanks for that Hasney. Got the keyboard on order.

I might be being ignorant here but I'm not sure on my outputs. I currently have my PC connected to a HD TV, but that has inputs to use a "normal" PC to Monitor cable. I wanna be able to run the HD tv and the old monitor together.

Yeah, that card has a DVI (standard digital monitor input like this: http://www.davediscovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dvi-cable.jpg and an HDMI.

You can convert the DVI to a standard VGA with one of these: http://www.screencapturenews.com/wp-content/uploads/dvi-to-vga-adapter-300x287.jpg or convert the HDMI to a DVI (there are specific cables to do that) and then to VGA.

Either way, once you get the right cables, you'll have options to run the same desktop on both screens as a clone, or stretch your desktop to go over both screens and do different things on each screen.

[XL]

Once again I'm gonna show myself up for my lack of tech knowledge...

Hasney, does that gaphics card you linked me to have 2 outputs?
I know you touched on it but what's the difference/benefits of cloning/stretching?
Would it be hard to install?
Do I need a decent spec PC to get this going?

[Vietnamese Crippler]

Yes, the card Hasney linked has two outputs.

Cloning = having the same desktop on either screen (what you see one one is what you'll see on the other.

Stretching = you can think of it like taking one edge of your current monitor and extending it. You can run Microsoft Word on one screen and have Firefox/IE/whatever open in the other.

Easy to install.

Your computer can probably handle it, but just in case, what are your specs now?

[XL]

I have no idea tbh. Pretty bog-standard, off the shelf package.

My current set up (PC connected to HDTV) is great if I am watching a tv show or film on the net but it means that whilst I'm online I can only watch one of 5 terrestrial channels through Pic-In-Pic. I wanna be able to shift say an I.E. window over to a normal monitor so that I can have the wider choice of digital channels.

Sounds like a job for a stretched screen?

[Vietnamese Crippler]

Yes, it's what a stretched screen is for.

[XL]

OK, I ordered the graphics card...so I'm gonna need to ordr cables and converters, right?

Just run it by me what I need again.

A DVI to VGA converter, which presumably connects to the card output allowing me to use a standard VGA cable.

A HDMI to DVI converter, but then also something to convert the DVI to standard VGA?

I took a look in PC World today but got a little confused (and their stuff seems very expensive). If you could link me to what I need to order than would be much appreciated.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

OK, we're going 2 VGA inputs. Soooo....

HDMI to VGA: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOLD-1-5M-HDMI-MALE-TO-SVGA-VGA-M-CONVERTER-A-V-CABLE_W0QQitemZ270549100366QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item3efdfba74e (heh, didn't realise you could do that) £2.14

DVI-I to VGA: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-8m-DVI-I-to-VGA-Cable-Converter-Adaptor-Lead-TV-PC-UK_W0QQitemZ250583710872QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item3a57f3fc98 £3.95

Should be all you need.

[XL]

Thanks for the super quick response. Are those definately the right orientation? Male/female wise I mean.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

They should be. They defo are for the card and the female side is normally on monitor/TV, so check your inputs before you buy.

[XL]

Inputs on both monitors are female as is the output currently from my PC.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Then the cables are all good :)

[XL]

That DVI to VGA cable you linked me to looks like it'll be female DVI and male VGA. Is that right?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Nada, both male. The female is on the gfx card.

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk420/cabledealsltd/18mdvi-itovga.jpg

[XL]

Cool. Couldn't tell if they were pins or holes on the DVI end.

[XL]

Card came today...it has a VGA output as well as the DVI and HDMI so I didn't need one of those cables :-\

Hopefully last question...do I put this card in as well as the existing graphics gard or in place of?

[Vietnamese Crippler]

Replace the current one with the new one.

[XL]

So much for easy install...

Can't find a slot big enough for the card and can't locate the original graphics card.

Pics for reference:

Back of PC
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae11/p455vv0rd/S73F1316.jpg

Current outputs for monitor (don't tell me I could have used that male output to do dual screen?)
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae11/p455vv0rd/S73F1319.jpg

Inside PC
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae11/p455vv0rd/S73F1322.jpg

Back of monitor panel
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae11/p455vv0rd/S73F1323.jpg

Available card slots
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae11/p455vv0rd/S73F1324.jpg

Card
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae11/p455vv0rd/S73F1325.jpg

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Nah, that male port is a serial port.

But yeah, your PC doesn't have a PCI-E port which is what that GFX card needs. I honestly didn't realise it would be an issue as PCI-E has been the standard for 4 years now.

You'd actually need this card: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169448 and that one would go in the brown slot.

[XL]

4 years you say? That unit was bought in 2003.

Just hope Ebuyer have a returns policy!!

[XL]

Returns/refund seems easy enough, TWICE the price though!! :eek:

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Yeah, AGP cards are a bitch price wise these days. I'm guessing it's probably because they don't sell as many as they used to, but still the difference is immense.

[XL]

As in better or worse? Tbf I thought I'd be spending up to £100 to get it all sorted, so it's not too bad.

Cables arrived today...shame I don't need one of em and the other is useless til Monday.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

The cheaper card that you can't use is actually a direct replacement (a generation up) from the card you need to now get. You won't notice it though as it's for mainly desktop use and the extra memory in the card you would make up for a it a bit anyways.

Oh, and forgot to say, looks like your existing card is on the motherboard instead of in a port, all you'll need to do is prior to installing the new card, go into the BIOS screen (usually F2 or Delete just after your PC turns on) and find a setting to turn the card off.

It's more of a precaution though, your system may end up booting fine even with the motherboard card turned on.

[XL]

Finally got up and running. Had you use my staright HDMI to HDMI cable though which has left me with no DVD player.

Couple more things though...

I have the audio from my PC run through my TV but this doesn't seem to be working with the new set up. Any ideas?

How do I get the taskbar to move screens? I have set my smaller screen as the primary screen but the bar stays on the LCD tv side!?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

How was the audio hooked up before? There may be different audio ports for the HDMI input on your TV.

As for your other problem, pretty sure you can use the Catalyst Control Centre software to swap screens. If you've not got it, download it (along with updated drivers) from www.ati.com

[XL]

It was just hooked up audio out to audio in I think.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Yeah, that's what I do. But there are 2 audio ins on my TV, one for VGA and one for HDMI.

[XL]

Hmmmmmm. I'll have to pull the TV down off the wall...again.

[Vietnamese Crippler]

To change which screen has the taskbar, go to the screen where you change screen resolutions. It should have a diagram with two screens on it with a 1 and 2 on the rectangles. Choose the monitor/TV you want to have the taskbar on and make it the primary display.

[XL]

I've already set the primary screen where it should be. All of the desktop items have moved across and screens open on it...but the taskbar remains on the other screen.

[XL]

Still haven't solved the audio/taskbar problems.

Also, on the cable front. The HDMI to VGA cable said this in the description:

This HDMI to VGA HD15 (Male) connects your HDMI enabled devices, HDTV (not from your PC or Laptop) to your monitor. HDMI enabled devices include, Playstation systems, HDTV receiver, Projector, A/V Receiver, DVD player, etc to your monitor.

Oh well. Guess I better buy a converter.

[Bad Company]

Make sure the taskbar isn't locked by right clicking on it and check unlock, then drag it to the other screen.

[XL]

That's one issue down.

Now to sort the audio and find a cheap converter...