SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

[hotair]

hay
i am new hear
i am going to bay a new computer for game uze.
and i want to conect 4 monitors for fs2004 / 2006
my qustion is waht kind of hardwaer i nead for it? [ cpu, mothr board, memory ,v.card }
sory abut my english

thnks

[Sandpiper-N121PP]

hotair wrote: hay
i am new hear
i am going to bay a new computer for game uze.
and i want to conect 4 monitors for fs2004 / 2006
my qustion is waht kind of hardwaer i nead for it? [ cpu, mothr board, memory ,v.card }
sory abut my english

thnks

Welcome first of all to the greatest Flight Sim Board around!!! I put a topic up to help out people when they are making their first computer... it should answer your questions. If you still have more... just let us on this board know. People on this board are very nice and very helpful to everybody... and we usually can figure out problems to help each other in a short time.

As far as the 4 monitor setup... you will need to have 2 video cards with dual output to run 4 monitors. I personally have never set up that many monitors for MSFS 2004 but I have heard of it done before. I have 2 and it works great. I hope this helps.

http://forums.surclaro.com/ftopic4812.html

Sandpiper-N121PP Out 8)

[Richy2237]

Sorry to butt in sandpiper but what do you use the second monitor for?
I am just n the process of purchasing a new computer and this sounds interesting. SLI - 2 cards with dual outputs - 4 monitors?? 1 centre view
1 left view, 1 right view and 1 for gps etc....think this would work... I have 3 newer 17 in crts here now...hmmm

[Sandpiper-N121PP]

Richy2237 wrote: Sorry to butt in sandpiper but what do you use the second monitor for?
I am just n the process of purchasing a new computer and this sounds interesting. SLI - 2 cards with dual outputs - 4 monitors?? 1 centre view
1 left view, 1 right view and 1 for gps etc....think this would work... I have 3 newer 17 in crts here now...hmmm

Hey Richy2237...

Never be sorry to butt in... that is how we learn things ( sometimes :roll: ) Anyhow... I have a my 19 in Pixie CRT for the main view screen ( Vitural Cockpit usually ) and then on the second monitor ( a cheap second hand 17 in MAG ( but it really works well )) I have my GPS, Radio, Compass and what ever else the plane offers. You know... the keys ( CTRL and 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5... ) all of that stuff goes on the second monitor ). That way when I am flying I have a complete heads up display of everything I need to get the most out of my flying experience.

If you choose to try dual monitors... it may be best to take and get an old one ( not too old or the signal can be to strong for it to tollerate ) from a second hand computer store. There is one here in my town and they will sell any 17 in. monitor for $29.00! Great purchase for a second monitor or even a main if you are using a smaller one. Windows XP sets up dual monitor pretty easily for you ( depending on what kind of Video Card you have ) but there can be conflicts sometimes getting it to work just right. Look around and you will be surprised at what you can find. You can also go to the local thrift stores but usually you cannot test them out there. So that is almost a luck of the draw. At least at a computer store that sells used parts you can see it work.

When not in MSFS 2004... I put my media player, MSN Messenger and other things on it to unclutter my desktop on my main. It really helps out alot. Once I went to this setup... I just cannot imagine going back to one monitor. :wink:

[paulavny]

Hey,
Can you tell me where to look for my video card spec. ?
I have Windows XP.
Also, how do I set it up exactly.
I like this concept of 2 monitors.
Tnxs

[hotair]

hey
someone told me thet, use 4 monitors in 3d view can drop down the fps.
my prog is to use 1 crt monitor 19 work for the main panel. 2 crt monitors 17 for 3d view, and 1 crt 17 for maps , gps ...
he said to me ,eaven if i bay a strong computer like
cpu 939 vienes 3200+
mothr board dfi 2*pcie x16
2* letdek 6600gt
and memory 1 gb 4oo mhz TwinMOS Speed Premium
the fps drop down and i can be very disapionment

for now i alredy eave 4 monitor the 3* 17 came from some school thet replase the computers and monitors.
for now i nead more informatin and help

thnks agiain

[Sandpiper-N121PP]

paulavny wrote: Hey,
Can you tell me where to look for my video card spec. ?
I have Windows XP.
Also, how do I set it up exactly.
I like this concept of 2 monitors.
Tnxs

Just right click on your desktop... then choose Properties, then settings, then advanced. This is where you should be able to see your type and or maker of your video card. Not all cards are the same so different cards have different flags ( or tabs ) to choose from. Be careful not to change anything in here if you are unsure of what it does. You can change settings that can in fact damage your card or other things. Do you know if your card has two outputs on the back??? If so what are they. It would also really help to know what kind of computer you have. Did you build it or is it a prefab ( Dell, Compaq, Gateway??? ) Please let me know so I can try to help you better if you still need assistance.

[Sandpiper-N121PP]

hotair wrote: hey
someone told me thet, use 4 monitors in 3d view can drop down the fps.
my prog is to use 1 crt monitor 19 work for the main panel. 2 crt monitors 17 for 3d view, and 1 crt 17 for maps , gps ...
he said to me ,eaven if i bay a strong computer like
cpu 939 vienes 3200+
mothr board dfi 2*pcie x16
2* letdek 6600gt
and memory 1 gb 4oo mhz TwinMOS Speed Premium
the fps drop down and i can be very disapionment

for now i alredy eave 4 monitor the 3* 17 came from some school thet replase the computers and monitors.
for now i nead more informatin and help

thnks agiain

It is true that mutliple monitors can cause FPS ( Frames Per Second ) to drop. I have personally not used 4 monitors in MSFS 2004... but with two I don't see it dropping that much. Windows treats mutliple monitor setups like one big screen in spanning mode. Spanning mode is when you run your desktop across 2 or more monitors. If you choose clone mode... then you see the same screen on each monitor. Before on my old video card I was getting about 15 FPS in single monitor mode. When I went to 2 monitor in Dual Mode ( two different desktops ( one on each monitor )) I saw it drop to about 13 at the lowest. Multiple setup can be difficult to get setup depending on what kind of card you have. Windows XP will run it pretty good... but it really does rely on what kind of video card you have in the long run.

[Richy2237]

Quote: "Windows treats mutliple monitor setups like one big screen in spanning mode. Spanning mode is when you run your desktop across 2 or more monitors. If you choose clone mode... then you see the same screen on each monitor. "
That is where I am having a problem. I am in "Clone mode". Where do you find these settings? Ive checked everywhere and no such thing that i can find. I need to find "Spanning mode" then i will be set i am sure. I am running (an old dell 2.6 celleron 1 gig ram Radeon 9200se "PCI" not express,) for the next week or so till my new system is built.

Thanks.

[Richy2237]

this is all i have in the properties-settings hmmmm doesnt look at all like it should... should show two minitors and more options.Darn this is frustrating...see attached pic

[Richy2237]

Bingo!

10 hours later. New video drivers and plenty of click and close, search and search and search and voila! I knew i could do it!!!! Thanks for your help Sandpiper. Have a great weekend.

[paulavny]

Sandpiper-N121PP wrote: paulavny wrote: Hey,
Can you tell me where to look for my video card spec. ?
I have Windows XP.
Also, how do I set it up exactly.
I like this concept of 2 monitors.
Tnxs

Just right click on your desktop... then choose Properties, then settings, then advanced. This is where you should be able to see your type and or maker of your video card. Not all cards are the same so different cards have different flags ( or tabs ) to choose from. Be careful not to change anything in here if you are unsure of what it does. You can change settings that can in fact damage your card or other things. Do you know if your card has two outputs on the back??? If so what are they. It would also really help to know what kind of computer you have. Did you build it or is it a prefab ( Dell, Compaq, Gateway??? ) Please let me know so I can try to help you better if you still need assistance.
Hello S.P
Yes , still need assistance :
My computer: Sony- VAIO
2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4
512 MB SDRAM
Hard disk 80 GB
Graphics- Intel 845GV Memory size: 64 Mb
Have no idea about two outputs in the back or not. Where to look?
Like to install a second monitor very much.
Paul

[Sandpiper-N121PP]

paulavny wrote: Sandpiper-N121PP wrote: paulavny wrote: Hey,
Can you tell me where to look for my video card spec. ?
I have Windows XP.
Also, how do I set it up exactly.
I like this concept of 2 monitors.
Tnxs

Just right click on your desktop... then choose Properties, then settings, then advanced. This is where you should be able to see your type and or maker of your video card. Not all cards are the same so different cards have different flags ( or tabs ) to choose from. Be careful not to change anything in here if you are unsure of what it does. You can change settings that can in fact damage your card or other things. Do you know if your card has two outputs on the back??? If so what are they. It would also really help to know what kind of computer you have. Did you build it or is it a prefab ( Dell, Compaq, Gateway??? ) Please let me know so I can try to help you better if you still need assistance.
Hello S.P
Yes , still need assistance :
My computer: Sony- VAIO
2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4
512 MB SDRAM
Hard disk 80 GB
Graphics- Intel 845GV Memory size: 64 Mb
Have no idea about two outputs in the back or not. Where to look?
Like to install a second monitor very much.
Paul

Your computer is probably not set up to do Dual Monitor. It falls into the Prefab Catagory ( and that by all means does not mean it is not good ) just that expansion on a system like that is very hard or near impossible without having to purchase hardware ( video cards, sound cards ECT. ) from the manufacturer. Your computer has only one video output on it more than likely and that will make it not possible for you to do dual monitor setup for MSFS 2004. In order to do it you have to have a video card with dual ( 2 outputs on it ) one for each monitor. That would be the only way to have it so you could put your flight deck on one and the other guages and radio stuff on the other.
:roll: :(
So sorry for the news but more than likely you have only 1 output for your monitor. Check your manual that came with it and it should tell you what all it has.

Hope this helps.

[paulavny]

Sandpiper-N121PP wrote: paulavny wrote: Sandpiper-N121PP wrote: paulavny wrote: Hey,
Can you tell me where to look for my video card spec. ?
I have Windows XP.
Also, how do I set it up exactly.
I like this concept of 2 monitors.
Tnxs

Just right click on your desktop... then choose Properties, then settings, then advanced. This is where you should be able to see your type and or maker of your video card. Not all cards are the same so different cards have different flags ( or tabs ) to choose from. Be careful not to change anything in here if you are unsure of what it does. You can change settings that can in fact damage your card or other things. Do you know if your card has two outputs on the back??? If so what are they. It would also really help to know what kind of computer you have. Did you build it or is it a prefab ( Dell, Compaq, Gateway??? ) Please let me know so I can try to help you better if you still need assistance.
Hello S.P
Yes , still need assistance :
My computer: Sony- VAIO
2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4
512 MB SDRAM
Hard disk 80 GB
Graphics- Intel 845GV Memory size: 64 Mb
Have no idea about two outputs in the back or not. Where to look?
Like to install a second monitor very much.
Paul

Your computer is probably not set up to do Dual Monitor. It falls into the Prefab Catagory ( and that by all means does not mean it is not good ) just that expansion on a system like that is very hard or near impossible without having to purchase hardware ( video cards, sound cards ECT. ) from the manufacturer. Your computer has only one video output on it more than likely and that will make it not possible for you to do dual monitor setup for MSFS 2004. In order to do it you have to have a video card with dual ( 2 outputs on it ) one for each monitor. That would be the only way to have it so you could put your flight deck on one and the other guages and radio stuff on the other.
:roll: :(
So sorry for the news but more than likely you have only 1 output for your monitor. Check your manual that came with it and it should tell you what all it has.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your reply .
Now my apetite grows even more. I was wondering if you can tell me what can I do next in order to change to a dual card. Is it something I can purchase in a regular electronic store? order it on line? any specific type you can recomend? Is that something I can replace myself ?
My knowledge and experience with computers is limited mostley to internet browsing and not to forget- ms flight sim. 2004 .
Paul

[Sandpiper-N121PP]

paulavny wrote: Sandpiper-N121PP wrote: paulavny wrote: Sandpiper-N121PP wrote: paulavny wrote: Hey,
Can you tell me where to look for my video card spec. ?
I have Windows XP.
Also, how do I set it up exactly.
I like this concept of 2 monitors.
Tnxs

Just right click on your desktop... then choose Properties, then settings, then advanced. This is where you should be able to see your type and or maker of your video card. Not all cards are the same so different cards have different flags ( or tabs ) to choose from. Be careful not to change anything in here if you are unsure of what it does. You can change settings that can in fact damage your card or other things. Do you know if your card has two outputs on the back??? If so what are they. It would also really help to know what kind of computer you have. Did you build it or is it a prefab ( Dell, Compaq, Gateway??? ) Please let me know so I can try to help you better if you still need assistance.
Hello S.P
Yes , still need assistance :
My computer: Sony- VAIO
2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4
512 MB SDRAM
Hard disk 80 GB
Graphics- Intel 845GV Memory size: 64 Mb
Have no idea about two outputs in the back or not. Where to look?
Like to install a second monitor very much.
Paul

Your computer is probably not set up to do Dual Monitor. It falls into the Prefab Catagory ( and that by all means does not mean it is not good ) just that expansion on a system like that is very hard or near impossible without having to purchase hardware ( video cards, sound cards ECT. ) from the manufacturer. Your computer has only one video output on it more than likely and that will make it not possible for you to do dual monitor setup for MSFS 2004. In order to do it you have to have a video card with dual ( 2 outputs on it ) one for each monitor. That would be the only way to have it so you could put your flight deck on one and the other guages and radio stuff on the other.
:roll: :(
So sorry for the news but more than likely you have only 1 output for your monitor. Check your manual that came with it and it should tell you what all it has.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your reply .
Now my apetite grows even more. I was wondering if you can tell me what can I do next in order to change to a dual card. Is it something I can purchase in a regular electronic store? order it on line? any specific type you can recomend? Is that something I can replace myself ?
My knowledge and experience with computers is limited mostley to internet browsing and not to forget- ms flight sim. 2004 .
Paul

If you computer supports it... yes you can purchase a new card for it. Here is the problem though... most prefab computers come with an onboard video ( as in your case ) that is using part of your Ram for the Video. Some have separate video memory built in to the M/B. I am not sure in your case in your Sony Viao but this I do know. In my years working on computers... on board video can be ( and usually is ) very difficult on some computers to disable or override with a new video card. Usually you get worse results from the new card than you would if you put it into a computer that you made from parts you choose. It is possible to add a video card and use it as a secondary for another monitor... but then again this too can be hard to set up.

Being you stated that your computer knowledge is limited to Internet Browsing and MSFS 2004... it would be in your best interest I feel to contact a local shop. One that is reputable and can do both of the following. Take a look first hand at your computer, and then give you an answer to where your options lay for expansion. Check it out but be prepared for like I have told others before... usually in prefab computers ( Compaq, Dell, Gateway, and Sony ) you are pretty much stuck with what you have purchased. The only upgrading usually to be done in these systems is if you purchase hardware from the companies that make them and they charge a pretty penny for it usually. So sorry for the news... but maybe they can do for you what you request.

Hope this helps. 8)