Three monitors on a dual monitor setup?

[jmig]

Here is my problem. I am looking for possible solutions.

I am running two monitors, a 14" for gauges and a 10" for the PFD off of a seperate computer with an ATI 4850 dual output card. The software is FSExpand clients. Everything works fine when I get it up and running.

The problem is in the up and running part. Because most of the 14" monitor is covered by an aluminum panel with holes and faux bezels for the gauges, I can't see the screen to start the FSClients or shut the computer down.

My idea is to use a third monitor outside the cockpit through something like a LVM switch. However, the switch I have and dug out of the parts bin only works with two computers, not two monitors.

Is there a relative inexpensive KVM switch that will allow me to switch between monitor outputs? A 15 min Google search came up empty.

I do have a spare PCI card that I guess I could throw in the computer and hook a monitor to. Will that allow me to clone one of the screens?

Any ideas?

[andarlite]

Just use a VGA splitter cable:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812120153&cm_re=vga_splitter-_-12-120-153-_-Product


to clone what you are seeing on the 14 inch on to the 3rd monitor.



Regards,
Henry

[jmig]

Thank you Henry for your solution. Now are you ready for a laugh.

A couple of months ago, I got this catalog in for computer nick nacks and all sorts of parts. I ordered some things like, a box set of computer screws and standoffs, a couple of USB extensions, etc. They came in and I gave them to my wife to give back as Christmas presents.

Christmas came, I forgot what I had ordered, open the box and exclaimed, "Oh, I had forgotten I ordered this." I then put them back in the box, stuck it on a shelf and went on to something else.

I followered your link the Newegg and looked at the splitter cable. Mumbled something nasty under my breath about how I had just placed an order with them a few days ago and could have ordered this with everything else. Then it hit me.

I went to the forgotten box, opened it and pulled out the VGA splitter cable I had ordered, "just in case" as a Christmas present.

:roll: