My dell PC is about 2.5 yrs old but its got VGA and DVI outputs - I think the card is an ATI X300. I want to connect it to my TV - Samsung R74 with VGA & HDMI inputs as well as the monitor - currently using the VGA input but it has DVI too.

Can I plug the pc into 2 outputs and use both or should I expect it to throw a fit and I have to change some sort of BIOS setting each time I want to switch from one to the other? Anyone with experience of this?

Probably want to keep the montior on the default connection (VGA?) but the tv doesn't have the same type of digital connection that the graphics card has. I couldn't see a DVI to HDMI type connection at my normal IT supplier. Should I use the VGA connection for the tv and go to DVI for the monitor?

Failing that I want the oppositie of a typical 'switch'

yours,

utterly confused.

the DVI is normally the "default" output on a graphics cards, so I would use the DVI on your monitor then VGA on your TV.

your two screens should then just show up as monitors

:iagree: DVI to monitor and VGA to TV.

Then into the graphics settings to enable the second screen as a clone of the first, or as an extension to your desktop.

That seems a reasonable solution. I didn't want to go out, buy a load of cables and find it didn't work. 5m VGA cables are pretty cheap:thumbup:

Now, do I want to split the audio too :rubchin:

I don't think that will work. I may be mistaken but I think the x300 can only output to either the VGA or DVI not both at the same time.

Why not use the TV as the monitor?

I don't think that will work. I may be mistaken but I think the x300 can only output to either the VGA or DVI not both at the same time.

This is what I can't work out and whether it would be easy to switch between outputs

Why not use the TV as the monitor?

It would be nice to keep the monitor as the main outpu and only use the TV when we want to watch a film or a download.

Thanks to the comments, I've done this today and:

• 5m VGA lead for TV + DVI lead for Montior
  
• Plug and play - Auto displayed monitor using DVI
  
• Settings - enable second output
  
• - extend desktop to second output

Voila! it works, I can leave the RADEON X300 in it. The monitor display with a DVI cable looks different but I'll get used to it.