i have tried to plug another monitor into the back of my p.c via the s-video
port but i am getting no joy can anybody help

On the keyboard on the 'F' keys there should be symbols of 2 monitors. Press this key with the Fn key and you should send a signal to the extra monitor. You should be able to toggle through different combinations of on-off, on-on, off-on with these keys.

Originally Posted by jcognitus

On the keyboard on the 'F' keys there should be symbols of 2 monitors.

This is normally only the case on laptops.

If you don't have the Function key shortcuts, then your graphics card driver / application should have an option. Are you using an ATi graphics card?

I have two other more fundamental questions though:

1. Can your graphics card actually run two monitors using the D-Sub (VGA) and S-video connectors simultaneously?

2. Does your monitor have an S-video input or are you using an adapter? Most don't. Is it actually a monitor or are you connecting into a television?

If you're trying to watch DVDs / videos on a television through S-video, then that should be possible but please note that you won't normally be able to get a clear picture of the Windows desktop due to S-video carrying a different kind of signal to your normal monitor cable. I recently learned a very expensive lesson when I bought a £700 LCD TV to use as a monitor at the office and found that you can't do that with S-video. If that's what you're trying to achieve, it probably won't work.

Originally Posted by jcognitus

On the keyboard on the 'F' keys there should be symbols of 2 monitors. Press this key with the Fn key and you should send a signal to the extra monitor. You should be able to toggle through different combinations of on-off, on-on, off-on with these keys.

Thanks but i managed to sort the problem out i can't toggle between monitors but i know what you mean,i just had to take my vga cable out cheers though

Originally Posted by DJNafey

This is normally only the case on laptops.

If you don't have the Function key shortcuts, then your graphics card driver / application should have an option. Are you using an ATi graphics card?

I have two other more fundamental questions though:

1. Can your graphics card actually run two monitors using the D-Sub (VGA) and S-video connectors simultaneously?

2. Does your monitor have an S-video input or are you using an adapter? Most don't. Is it actually a monitor or are you connecting into a television?

If you're trying to watch DVDs / videos on a television through S-video, then that should be possible but please note that you won't normally be able to get a clear picture of the Windows desktop due to S-video carrying a different kind of signal to your normal monitor cable. I recently learned a very expensive lesson when I bought a £700 LCD TV to use as a monitor at the office and found that you can't do that with S-video. If that's what you're trying to achieve, it probably won't work.

It is an L.C.D screen but i did manage to get it to work but like you say the picture isn't brilliant i'm going to try changing the hertz size to see if that will be any better thanks for your feedback though much appreciated

I've messed about with all the frequency settings, resolution, etc, etc but, at the end of the day, it's the S-video technology that stops you getting a clear picture, not the settings on the graphics card. "S-video out" or "TV out" is just that - an output for watching video or television signals.

Ok mate don't know what i'll do then