Dual Monitors - Do I need a graphics card?

[Strommer]

My Win7 Home Premium desktop has onboard graphics, motherboard: ASUS M4A88TD-M
I connected a second monitor using the spare DVI connector, but the monitor is not
detected under Display Settings or via [Win key + P].

Therefore I assume that I need to install a graphics card. Correct?
If so, what is a good inexpensive graphics card? [NOT needed for gaming.]

On this Pricespy page I see for example this graphics card. Remember this is not for gaming, simply a way to get dual monitors.

Thanks.

[wratterus]

That board should definitely be capable of running a screen on VGA and a screen on DVI or HDMI. Normally the HDMI and the DVI won't work at the same time though - you'd need to double check if that is the case with this board though.

A graphics card would certainly solve the issue too though.

[Strommer]

That board should definitely be capable of running a screen on VGA and a screen on DVI or HDMI. Normally the HDMI and the DVI won't work at the same time though - you'd need to double check if that is the case with this board though.

A graphics card would certainly solve the issue too though.

The main monitor is connected to VGA (perhaps I should be using DVI, not sure but have always used the VGA connectors). The second monitor that I am trying to get going for dual display is connected using DVI. In Display Properties, even when clicking Detect, the drop down list for "Dual Monitors" (or similar wording) does not appear.

[wratterus]

The main monitor is connected to VGA (perhaps I should be using DVI, not sure but have always used the VGA connectors). The second monitor that I am trying to get going for dual display is connected using DVI. In Display Properties, even when clicking Detect, the drop down list for "Dual Monitors" (or similar wording) does not appear.

That's odd - it definitely should be working.

See the attached bit out of the manual - confirms what i was thinking about using the HDMI and DVI at the same time - but as you aren't that's not the issue...graphics driver update?

[Strommer]

Thanks wratterus. I checked the ATI Radeon adapter for driver update and it has the latest driver installed.
I have no idea why the second monitor is not detected. I have tried rebooting and fiddling with the
connections, unplugging the connector of both the main and secondary monitors, and re-inserting the plugs,
but still nothing. I scanned for hardware changes in Device Manager > Monitors, but nothing detected.

Looks like I will have to get a graphics card, so am now waiting for advice as per my 1st post.

[wratterus]

Try with just the DVI plugged in?

The 210 is pretty old now, I would look for a 610, PB Tech has a nice Asus one.

[CliveM]

You have checked that monitor number 2 does work if attached on its own?

[dugimodo]

Are you using a DVI - VGA adapter? some DVI connectors do not support them and are DVI only. (DVI comes in several versions actually but never mind that).
It's quite likely you have to use a VGA connector for one and either the DVI or HDMI for the other with no VGA adapter.

Given the option yes you should use DVI over VGA, VGA still looks very good most of the time and it can be difficult to tell but DVI is better. Using VGA means you are converting digital to analog and back to digital between the PC and the screen. DVI is all digital.

[wratterus]

Dugi, a DVI-VGA adapter won't physically plug into that motherboard, cause it's a DVI-D jack on the board, and the DVI-VGA adapter is a DVI-I, so it has extra pins.

[Strommer]

Try with just the DVI plugged in?

Tried that but it does not work. I did not reboot, which I guess is my next try.

Not using an adaptor; am using DVI to DVI cable.