Dual-Screen Query

.Kencs · 23 May 2012 at 10:14

I have found a spare LG Flatron L1510S monitor at work that I'm using for my dual-screen, now my colleague so it WON'T work even with the DVI converter. The DVI socket on the back of my PC is DVI-D is this correct?

I don't want to go out and buy a DVI-D to VGA converter if my LG monitor is NOT going to support it...I NEED to somehow get it working, any advice to help?

Thanks

Mirmo · 23 May 2012 at 10:41

You need to check the specs of your mobo or graphics card, whichever you're plugging into. DVI-D is digital, in which case you'd need a dvi-vga converter, dvi-i is both digital and analog so you would just need an adapter. Both are cheap to be honest. If the monitor works and your graphics card supports dual display then fire it up!

R088ieS86 · 23 May 2012 at 11:13

Are you using the output from a graphics cards or motherboard?

Motherboard outputs have a slightly different port which most DVI to VGA converters won't fit into:

In which case you will need a DVI to VGA cable, rather than adapter.

.Kencs · 23 May 2012 at 11:21

R088ieS86 said:
Are you using the output from a graphics cards or motherboard?

Motherboard outputs have a slightly different port which most DVI to VGA converters won't fit into:

In which case you will need a DVI to VGA cable, rather than adapter.

Motherboard port.

So 'roughly' how much am I looking at spending on a cable?

R088ieS86 · 23 May 2012 at 11:27

No more than £5 new. You might be able to find someone on the MM who has a spare one floating about who will only want Postage.

Just check the port on the mobo, if it is like the one in the pic above make sure the cable you buy only has that end.

.Kencs · 23 May 2012 at 11:34

R088ieS86 said:
No more than £5 new. You might be able to find someone on the MM who has a spare one floating about who will only want Postage.

Just check the port on the mobo, if it is like the one in the pic above make sure the cable you buy only has that end.

Thanks. I keep getting told it doesn't matter if it fits or not, it wont work as my monitor will be expecting a analog and this is a digital port at the back of the PC?

Its only a 5er, worth a try...

Whats the actual name of the cable (assuming it will work with a cable)?

cmndr_andi · 23 May 2012 at 11:53

If the DVI port is of the DVI-D type (like the one labelled "MOBO" in that picture) then you need an adapter that does active Digital to Analogue conversion to provide an output that a VGA monitor will understand. These adapters tend to cost £90+ (like the Startech DVI2VGACON) - which is about the same price as a 22in 1080p DVI monitor and much more expensive than a dual-DVI output graphics card.

Passive DVI-I/DVI-A to VGA adapters or cables will not work with a DVI-D port like this one.