Dual monitor configuration?

[Rudstock]

So I just bought a second monitor off a buddy of mine, and I am having issues getting both monitors to work the way i want them to. I want one for gaming, and the other for surfing during downtime while gaming. I am far too lazy to minimize a gaming app.

The problem is, one is widescreen, and the other is not, so my computer wants both to be the same resolution, and it doesn't look right on the widescreen monitor. Also, when I open up a game, the non-widescreen monitor turns off.

I have one video card (8800 gts g92) but only one pcie slot on my mobo (abit ip35-e). Would adding a pci video card and plugging the non-widescreen monitor into it solve my problems? If so, any recommendations? Sorry if this is a simple problem, as i am a dual monitor noob.

[Graphicism]

You need to install ultramon if you haven't already, it's the must have dual-monitor tool... setting up 2 monitors with different resolutions shouldn't be a problem.

http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/

I've only just gone dual myself, it takes a bit of getting used too and tweaking to make everything run the way you want it, once you do it's awesome tho! :)

[nightelph]

Rudstock: Have you installed the latest drivers for your graphics card? Also, you can run two monitors off that one card, no need to buy another.. unless you want up to four monitors...

Graphicism: Will that prog allow you use other programs, files on a secondary display without minimizing your game? I.E: Clicking on a webpage to scroll down without having steam games minimize themselves?

[Rudstock]

Graphicism: Ill try ultramon as soon as i get home tonight. Thx

Nightelph: I do currently have two monitors hooked to the one video card, but i had no idea if my problems could be solved without an additional card. Ill let you know if ultramon lets me play games on one monitor and surf the net on the other without the game minimizing.

[Graphicism]

Graphicism: Will that prog allow you use other programs, files on a secondary display without minimizing your game? I.E: Clicking on a webpage to scroll down without having steam games minimize themselves?

I don't think ultramon has any options for that, however if you run the game windowed it won't minimize.

[nightelph]

Thanks for the prog link regardless.