I am using a Dell Latitude E5430 running Windows 7 Enterprise, with a dell advanced docking station. I have connected 2 monitors to my docking station. I am not able to use all three screens (2 monitors and 1 laptop display) at the same time.
Dell Docking Station Dual Monitors
I read from the Dell help pages that my laptop does not support 3 displays. What is the alternate solution?
Thanks!!
Hennes59.7k77 gold badges9494 silver badges144144 bronze badges
Gaurav BanyalGaurav Banyal
3 Answers
If your laptop does not support two external monitors via docking station, you can always buy an external USB to HDMI graphic adapter.
Performance might be lacking, yet this is how I managed to get two monitors running when I used to work with a MacBook Air.
k0pernikusk0pernikus83155 gold badges1616 silver badges2727 bronze badges
Your laptop does not support 3 displays with the hardware in the laptop or in the dock. (It seems only two ports can be used out of four. Either DP+DP, DP+DVI or DVI+DVI). That leaves you with two solutions:
- Get extra hardware wich acts as an extra graphics card. (E.g. a full external graphics card via the expresscard slot. Or a slow one via USB).
- Or add a device which act as a monitor but which splits the output to multiple screens (with different content). The items I know of which does this is the Matrox 2go series, which is getting somewhat dated. Still, similar hardware may appear again over time.
Hennes
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I'm using the dell e5430 with 3 external monitors (2 dell P1913S, 1 E190S).
The above article not lists the e5430 as supported (or tested), but when you follow the instructions it may work.
You need to connect 2 monitor with display port on the replicator with straight display port cable. (I have tried before with display port to dvi converter: not works.)
Your 3rd monitor can be the laptop screen or a vga cabled monitor to the replicator (I tested both scenario, and works)
So the key that you have two monitor with display ports direct connected to the replicator without any converter.
aprapr
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I have a Dell Latitude 8420. It is connected to a dock. Jannat mp3 songs free download 320kbps.
Is there any way to have two monitors connected to this setup and also use the laptop screen too? I want the desktop extended on the 3 displays. I am using Windows 7 Professional.
How would things change if I wanted to have 3 external monitors and not use the laptop display?
Hennes
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CodrguyCodrguy
migrated from stackoverflow.comAug 3 '11 at 20:23
This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.
7 Answers
If I'm correct, you will not be able to use all three monitors at the same time. If you hook up two monitors to your docking-station, you will not be able to use the laptop screen at the same time. If you only use one external monitor, you can still use the laptop screen.This is due to limitations of the GPU. I have a Latitude E6510 with a docking station and experienced the same thing.
If you absolutely need to use three monitors, you can maybe look into 'exotic' solutions like using an external USB graphic card.
pgruetterpgruetter76811 gold badge44 silver badges1919 bronze badges
From what I have read about the linked dock, you're limited to two displays. This can be made up in one of two configurations:
- Laptop LCD and one external monitor
- Two external monitors but no Laptop LCD
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All you need is a Display Link USB connection for every monitor more than two. If you use your laptop and one monitor, you can add a Display Link for each monitor. I know of some people with up to 5 monitors who keep their laptops closed on the docking station.
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Kenneth MooreKenneth Moore
I can confirm that a USB graphics adapter is the solution. I use a HP 8510W with an HP usb docking station. This has a DisplayPort connector which supports playing even HD videos on my 1600*1200 screen (the maximum width for this docking station is 1680). Note however that when using the dock, you lose Aero on all of your screens.
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ArjanArjan
Same is the case with other laptops and displays ( tested with HP Elitebook 8470p and Dock, two monitors (ViewSonic)).
MoGMoG88811 gold badge1010 silver badges1616 bronze badges
Some of the Dell Latitudes laptops CAN run two external monitors and the LCD at the same time it is a bios setting. At the moment I cannot remember the check box that is needed. But you can run 3 displays; 2 via a dock and the LCD. the E6430's can at least.
EDIT: for the Latitudes, a E6430 is the one I am looking at right now. I'm pretty sure it's the the Nvidia Optimus option in the bios that will let you run the LCD with 2 externals. Look under 'Video' settings.
MattMatt
According to Dell it is officially possible for some models (see list on the linked web page) when using the Dell DisplayPort at the Advanced Docking station:
Excuse me for posting this as an answer and not as a comment - too less reputation.
daniel.neumanndaniel.neumann