Question

Is the Dell Optiplex 745 capable of supporting a dual monitor system?

Asked by: Armydgls3

I'm working with several identical Dell Optiplex 745 systems and a user has recently requested a dual monitor set up.  The system is currently running on Windows XP Pro 2003 and the Graphics Driver appears to support multiple monitors.  I've NEVER set up a dual monitor system.

Is the 745 capable of supporting that set up?  How can I tell and more importantly set it up correctly?

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Asked On
2007-08-19 at 05:27:53ID22772505
Tags

745

,

optiplex

,

dual

,

dell

,

monitor

Topics

Video Cards

,

Computer Displays / Monitors

Participating Experts
1
Points
125
Comments
3

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Answers

 

by: sparkmakerPosted on 2007-08-19 at 09:06:11ID: 19726129

If the model of optiplex 745 is the Ultra Small Form Factor Computer
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Op745/en/UG_en/usfindex.htm
then it has the " Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 with integrated DVI-I with dual-monitor support"
the other 3 form factors do not specify dual monitor support in their specifications.

 

by: Armydgls3Posted on 2007-08-20 at 03:23:54ID: 19729219

So, if my model has both a DE-9 and a VGA port on the gfx card but with no DVI-I then I can pretty much write off dual monitors???

The reason I ask is because the system contains an Intel GMA Driver that claims to support multiple monitors but what I have tried as far as configuring the hardware has been unsuccessful.  As of today, I am considering myself incompetent with hardware and completely ignorant with software and drivers.

I have several split connectors but do not currently have any DE-9 cables.

 

by: sparkmakerPosted on 2007-08-20 at 12:00:03ID: 19732750

First we need to identify which connectors are on this model.
DE-9 cable is  a serial cable not a monitor type cable.

The ultra small has a DVI-I connector for the monitor and there is an adapter cable that can split the signal to two monitors http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Op745/en/UG_en/ultrasma.htm#wp1103481

If its a VGA connector then is it onboard the motherboard or a card. To tell look at this pic. Is yours configured like this? If so it is onboard Analog(VGA)Video .
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Op745/en/UG_en/smfactor.htm#wp1071977

If you have Onboard video with a VGA connector then your options are to add a video card with dual monitor capability or use one of these http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/dh2go/home.php
 I would opt for a PCI-E dual monitor capable card

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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