Questions about dual monitors

madindehead · 9 Aug 2010 at 23:55

I have a few questions about running dual monitors for you wise guys out there

1) When running a game in windowed mode on the primary monitor, is it possible to alt-tab to MSN/Chrome/whatever I have open on the secondary monitor, without the game minimising?

2) Can all games be run in windowed mode? Is it possible to force it in some games?

3) If the game doesn't run in windowed mode, what happens if you do alt-tab to another program on the other monitor? Does it just minimise?

4) Are there any applications that can be used to help with running programs on dual monitors? Is there anything that can be used to force games into windowed mode?

Basically, I want to be able to game on my primary monitor, and play movies and have MSN etc open on the other monitor without the game constantly minimising on me...

Anyone who can help? I might have to test this all before I actually go ahead with a second monitor, might try and steal one from uni or something

madindehead · 10 Aug 2010 at 19:26

Anyone have any ideas? Or would I be better off the the graphics or software section?

alfalavala · 10 Aug 2010 at 22:08

I run eve in windowed mode and I can have other programs open in the other monitor and use them just fine without the game minimising or doing annoying stuff.

But maybe eve is good at running in windowed mode. Think it depends on the game.

Games that run in fullscreen - Fallout3 is one I can think of that I've played recently - it varied as to what it would let you do. Sometimes it would minimise sometimes it wouldn't and sometimes it would crash if I made something else the active window for too long.

madindehead · 10 Aug 2010 at 22:22

Yeah, Fallout 3 is a funny one. I can run it in windowed mode via ObjectDock however (it seems to work anyway) so I will have to see.

I think I will just take the dual monitor plunge. I don't see it being too much hassle?

alfalavala · 10 Aug 2010 at 22:25

You'll love it!

If a game is iffy, as long as you keep it the active window the whole time you can have something like a movie playing in the other screen no bother. Else try googling the specific game to see if there's a work around.

It's also handy for uni work, having two documents side by side, or excel, w/e.

oxygene · 10 Aug 2010 at 22:30

Ok I use dual screens and the answer is, it varies. Most games can run windowed from options, I run stuff like wow and Anno 1404 windowed and you can switch screens without minimizing. Other games like Supreme commander can be forced into windowed mode from a command line code and work the same. Some fps games can be forced with alt enter to go windowed without using the menu. Any game that isnt windowed, yes, will minimize when you alt tab. And depending on the game this may pause it or it may continue.

madindehead · 10 Aug 2010 at 22:43

oxygene said:
Ok I use dual screens and the answer is, it varies. Most games can run windowed from options, I run stuff like wow and Anno 1404 windowed and you can switch screens without minimizing. Other games like Supreme commander can be forced into windowed mode from a command line code and work the same. Some fps games can be forced with alt enter to go windowed without using the menu. Any game that isnt windowed, yes, will minimize when you alt tab. And depending on the game this may pause it or it may continue.

Ok. Thanks for the feedback. I think I will take the plunge when I get my loan, and sell of my Juno 106

My girlfriend is already looking forward to being to watch movies while I work!

oxygene · 11 Aug 2010 at 00:18

Well you can get a 22" monitor that does full HD (1920 x 1080) for about £120 atm. And yeah, I am always watching films / tv episodes while playing games. But beware! Once your mind is used to concentrating on 2 things at once theres no going back! Just playing a game, or just watching tv leaves me itchy to do something else at the same time

madindehead · 11 Aug 2010 at 00:24

oxygene said:
Well you can get a 22" monitor that does full HD (1920 x 1080) for about £120 atm. And yeah, I am always watching films / tv episodes while playing games. But beware! Once your mind is used to concentrating on 2 things at once theres no going back! Just playing a game, or just watching tv leaves me itchy to do something else at the same time

Haha. I'm already like that right now mate

I put movies on in the background when gaming, even though I can't see them! Going to go for a big 26/27" monitor as my primary, and use my current 22" Sammy as my secondary (it's still a great monitor).