I recently bought an Acer ATC Aspire TC-605-UB11 desktop; I need help setting up a 2nd monitor

charlesi

I recently replaced my desktop with a new Acer Aspire TC-ATC-605-UB11 model. I moved the (working) video card from the old system to the new one, but I cannot find a way to enable the 2nd video card. I know that sometimes there are BIOS settings that must be adjusted, but I see nothing that looks like what I need.

 

Some details: the integrated video hardware for my Acer is the Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600.

I am away from the system at the moment, and don't recall the specifics of the inserted video card. I can get that if asked.

I suspect that either there is a setting required to allow multiple monitors (I have worked with similar systems before) or else the Acer simply doesn't allow for another video card (maybe interrupts or other resource limitations?). If this is the case, is there an option to use a USB video "card" instead?

 

Thanks in advance to all answers!

 

 

JordanB

What is the model # of your graphics card that you are trying to install?

 

What BIOS version is installed on your computer?

 

The link below shows you how to use extended desktop mode and clone mode (for two monitors) with your HD4600 graphics that came with your computer.

 

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-031026.htm

 

Try removing your video card and see if you can get the HD4600 to provide support for multiple monitors.  I setup 2 monitors with my TC-605.  One monitor was connected via HDMI and the other via VGA.

 

To check your BIOS version on Windows 8.1, right click on start button, left click on "run".  Type msinfo32 and then hit OK

 

 

JordanB

What is the model # of your graphics card that you are trying to install?

 

What BIOS version is installed on your computer?

 

The link below shows you how to use extended desktop mode and clone mode (for two monitors) with your HD4600 graphics that came with your computer.

 

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-031026.htm

 

Try removing your video card and see if you can get the HD4600 to provide support for multiple monitors.  I setup 2 monitors with my TC-605.  One monitor was connected via HDMI and the other via VGA.

 

To check your BIOS version on Windows 8.1, right click on start button, left click on "run".  Type msinfo32 and then hit OK

 

 

charlesi

msinfo32 shows my BIOS Version/Date as American Megatrends Inc. P11-B1, 8/7/2014. I'll have to power off to see the video card stats ... interesting that Device Manager doesn't even show the card. I recall that when I first tried it (3-4 weeks ago), I seated and re-seated the card (with power off, of course) when Device Manager didn't seem to see the card at all, even in and "Other" or "Unknown Device" category.

 

Never mind! I assumed that the two video jacks in my Acer were "either/or", not "both". My old setup had one HDMI monitor and one DVI ... but the DVI monitor also has a VGA port, so I tried that and it works! I'll pull out the video card next time my system is powered off.

 

Thanks, would have never tried plugging both monitors into the internal video card; I'm used to laptops having dual-output and desktops having single, so I ASSUMED that I needed a second video card.

 

Works fine now!

 

 

+

 

JordanB

ok great.

 

They have done a lot of tweaks to the HD4600 graphics driver for better support with mulitple monitors.

So if you run in to any problems then you may have to update your HD4600 graphics driver.

 

The latest driver can be found on intels website.

 

 

But you'll probably have to uninstall/delete your current/old driver before you can install the updated HD4600 graphics driver.

 

JordanB

Forgot to mention......

 

I recently noticed a little app in Acer downloads, that really helps your eyes.  It's called Quick Access. It has a feature that will reduce the bluelight coming from your monitor.  I absolutely love it.  You can toggle it on or off....or adjust it to low, medium, and high.