How to use a projector as a second display?

HankScorpio · 12 Dec 2015 at 13:37

Hi all

I'm having some issues setting up my projector at school to act as my second display.

I work as a school teacher and many times I need to play videos, but my classroom projector only seems to act as a mirror, thus I can't do any work while I play videos. I use extended display at home with my 2 pc monitors so thought I could do this, but just can't seem to do it on my classroom setup.

First off with the projector on, I go into the display settings and hit identify but only my monitor shows up and windows doesn't identify the projector as a second monitor.

Is there any way around this? I don't have much legroom in terms of reinstalling software as they're all admin locked. They all run on win7 though.

If anyone could help me I'll be the hero of the school.

asim18 · 12 Dec 2015 at 14:51

HankScorpio said:
First off with the projector on, I go into the display settings and hit identify but only my monitor shows up and windows doesn't identify the projector as a second monitor.

Is the projector connected directly to an output on the computer?

I ask because lot of schools use VGA splitters to feed their projectors in which case you'll never be able to use it as a second display.

So yeah, first port of call is to make sure projector is connected directly to the computer. Then we can try to figure out why it's not being identified as a separate screen, which could be a graphics driver issue.

Orcvader · 12 Dec 2015 at 14:57

As above, if there's only one display connection being used on the PC it's highly likely the screen and projector are linked via a VGA splitter, which can only mirror.

HankScorpio · 12 Dec 2015 at 15:15

Ah, I think this might be the case. Will check on Monday, but would there be no way around this if it does use a splitter? Not sure I'd be allowed to modify the setup, safeguarding issues and all..

asim18 · 12 Dec 2015 at 17:55

Thing is it's rare for computers to have 2 VGA ports on board. Look at the back of the computer and hopefully you'll find a DVI or HDMI port there which you can use for whichever device also has a DVI or HDMI port, could be either the monitor or the projector.

If the computer only has a single monitor output you'll have to install a new graphics card with multiple monitor outputs.

ColdAsIce · 14 Dec 2015 at 09:20

What model of computer are you using?

Most school computers will have 1 VGA port and 1 display port so you will be able to get the extended mode working if you speak to your technician. I will be able to tell you for certain if I know what model of computer it is.

Tell your techie to purchase some of these:

DisplayPort DP Male to VGA Female Adapter Display Port Converter Cable

This will allow the VGA cable from the projector to go into the computer