I will start by saying this is the first time I have tried to perform this particular task, however, I am an IT professional, and I do know my way around a computer.
The problem is I can't "extend" my desktop to two monitors, no matter what I try.
Things I've Tried:
Plugging both VGA connectors (one needs a DVI converter) into the motherboard video card.
Fails Because–Windows 7 Doesn't detect a second monitor.
Plugging both VGA connectors (one needs a DVI converter) into an external video card (MSI RX300HM(V032)).
Fails Because–Windows 7 Doesn't detect a second monitor.
Plugging one VGA connector into the external video card and the other VGA connector into the motherboard video card (using no DVI converters).
Fails Because–Windows 7 Doesn't detect a second monitor.
Making sure I have the most updated drivers for the video card (and monitors, where Windows will detect it), then trying all of the above, again.
Fails Because–All of the same reasons, stated above.
Checking the monitors and making sure they work separately.
They both work fine. In fact, when I plug them both into the external video card, they both display the same "duplicate" screen.
Forcing Windows to output to "No Display Detected" but it just puts "what it thinks" is the second monitor, off in the blank void to the left of my other two monitors.
Downloading ATI CCC and trying to manage it that way.
Fails Because–There is no "Desktop Manager link (the link I am lead to believe will lead to the configuration screen for dual monitors and such). Also, this is not the only place therein that I checked. I scoured that interface for configurations suitable to change such settings, but all to no avail.
It may be relevant (although, hopefully not) to note that the two monitors aren't the same brand (one is Acer and the other is Philips).
Also, it is important to note that I "rebooted" my machine between all of the major steps listed above.
What else could be the issue?
Aren't all relatively new video cards supporting dual monitors these days? (I am beginning to think they don't, as that seems the only reasonable explanation to my dilemma).
Best Answer
According to the user manual for that card (which is downloadable via the product page on MSI.com, if you look at the diagram of the card on page 2, it states under an asterisk:
DSUB refers to the VGA connector (which is part of the DSUB connector family).
So it seems that you might be out of luck trying to get dual monitors to work with this card. It seems to just simply not support it.
By the way, CCC might not allow you do manage the display settings for this card because it's a very old card, and recent versions of CCC may not be compatible with its drivers. According to the product page, it's powered by the "ATI® RADEON® X300SE GPU". That card uses the RV370 GPU, which, according to Wikipedia, was released in 2005. That's 8 years ago, which is ancient in computer timeframes.