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Question

Multiple Monitor Query for my ACER V 15 Laptop

Aug 11, 2019 9:54AM PDT

Hi.
I have an ACER V15 Laptop with the following Spec :

I7-5557U 3.1 Ghz Processor 
Intel Iris Graphics 6500
16 GB DDR3 L Memory
1000 GB HD

My laptop has a VGA and a HDMI connection.
I use the laptop a lot for my work but as I am comparing spreadsheets, I would like to be able to use 2 screens.
I have an Acer VGA Monitor, a Samsung Curved and an ASUS 4K gaming monitor.
When I plug a monitor in the HDMI port and then the VGA Monitor in, only the HDMI monitor works and the VGA screen just says no signal.
When I go into the Display screen, it says that it can see the VGA monitor.
I have tried to buy something where I can plug both monitors into a single hdmi port, but I have found that they are only switching between the two or they show the same image on both monitors.

I have checked to make sure that the drivers are all up to date and also that the Display Adapter is also up to date. I was stumped.

I have been to my local PC shop who said that Laptops were not build to cater for multiple monitors and I should just buy a desktop PC which can cater for it.
Before I take the plunge and buy one, is he correct or am I being led up the garden path so that I buy one of his PC's.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Steve

Discussion is locked

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Answer
You should be able to get TWO screens working.
Aug 11, 2019 12:16PM PDT

That is, the Laptop LCD and one external. To do more than that we have to delve deeply into the laptop to see if it supports two or more externals.

EVEN IF the laptop only supports two displays (laptop and one external) we can fix that limitation with the USB VIDEO CARD. That are dozens of such models so I won't pick one for you but share an example. I can't guess if you want VGA, HDMI, Displayport or other but will write to avoid buying one that is VGA only due to it's quite old tech and bound to be going the way of the floppy disk drive.

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/487269/dual-external-monitors-with-vn7-592g notes a model that just worked yet someone else could not make theirs work. I can't explain why but today I find many users can not deal with Windows or almost any other OS in this area. Sometimes folk have to have the work done for them and my thought about that is to be engaged with the tech support. Don't just drop it off and have them fix it. Ask to watch and see what they do so you learn where the controls are.

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USB VIDEO CARD
Aug 11, 2019 1:20PM PDT

Hi R.Proffit.
Thanks for the reply.
I realise that the VGA monitor may not be working due to Windows 10 not supporting it as I went to view the driver on the ACER website and the only one that it displayed was for Windows 10 and I have another laptop that using Windows 7 and it works on there.
My question is how to do get 2 screens (excluding the Laptop screen) to be able to extend rather than Duplicate ?
You mention about being able to fixing the limitation on the USB Video Card.
Can you please elaborate on what you mean.

Many thanks

Steve (From the UK)

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I'm going to make TWO replies.
Aug 11, 2019 1:40PM PDT
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Second reply. More about VGA and its issues.
Aug 11, 2019 1:45PM PDT

VGA has issues. For example, streaming to VGA might be blocked today and I decline to go too deeply why but it's an industry choice.

The second issue is going to tax those that can't dig into Windows. That is, Microsoft's Driver Update is flawed. But I have dealt with that many times. Here's how and this is a GUIDE, not a step by step.

1. Disable Microsoft's Driver Update. This on google finds out how.
2. Go get DDU. Again, this app is out there along with tutorials for those that need such. For me I learned about it years ago and that's all I needed as it's easy to use.
3. Use DDU to remove all graphic card drivers.
4. Go get your graphic drivers from the laptop maker on the web page for your model and install them.

This method halts Microsoft from installing what can be a broekn driver.

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USB VIDEO CARD
Aug 11, 2019 1:28PM PDT

Apologies the VGA driver was VISTA not 10