Suggestions to support 5 monitors 1

[drjerry]

Computer is an IBM 300GL, specs attached. I wish to run 5 monitors if at all possible, or 4 if there are no other options. Before I started this project a week ago, I knew very little about this subject, but I am learning fast. I bought 2 refurbished Hercules 3D Prophet 9000 64MB PCI-TV cards from ComputerGeeks.com because the cards were dual monitor cards and only $32 ea. Also got two dvi-i to vga adapters. I installed the cards but the drivers would not install and it crashed my system. EddnShoulders (thread749-868325)discussed this a bit. I have since removed the cards and am seeking advice. I'm willing to return these cards for a better chioce, if necessary. This is a wide, deep, short computer designed to be placed on a desk with a monitor on top. The PCI slots are horizontal. When both cards are installed they take a lot of space and are flat and very close together. I wonder if they will get enough cooling. Hercules support says I need to either disable the onboard embedded S3 Trio 3D video card, or modify the BIOS.
My questions.
1-Is there a way to add two dual monitor video cards and still keep the on board card working, to support 5 monitors.
2- If not how do I disable that S3 Trio card completely.
3- Should I be concerned about the cooling of my Hercules cards?
4- Any other advice or suggestions?
Thanks, Jerry ;************************************************
; Guillemot Hardware Inspector
; Version 1.6
;************************************************

[Program]
Program = "GIHI"
Version = "1.6"

[Current System]
OperatingSystem = "Windows 98 SE"
ServicePack = ""
DirectX = "8 or above installed (4.09.00.0902)"
Thrustmapper = "not installed."

[Motherboard]
Manufacturer = n/a
Model = n/a
Chipset = n/a
BiosDate = "1999-04-22"
BiosVersion = "IBM BIOS Ver PDKT24.0"

[Processor]
type = "GenuineIntel"
model = "Intel Pentium(R) III"
Speed = "498 MHz"

[Memory]
TotalPhysical = "319 MB"

[Video]
Video1 = "VEN_5333&DEV_8904;S3 Inc. Trio3D;4.12.01.2207-2.62.22;S3;"

[Audio]

[Network]
Network1 = "VEN_10B7&DEV_9055;3Com Fast EtherLink XL 10/100Mb TX Ethernet NIC (3C905B-TX);3.41.50.00;3Com;"

[Controllers]

[Other]
Other1 = "VEN_8086&DEV_7190;Intel 82443BX Pentium(r) II Processor to PCI bridge (with GART support);3.41.50.00;Microsoft;"
Other2 = "VEN_8086&DEV_7191;Intel 82443BX Pentium(r) II Processor to AGP controller;3.41.50.00;Microsoft;"
Other3 = "VEN_8086&DEV_7110;Intel 82371EB PCI to ISA bridge (ISA mode);4.10.1998;Microsoft;"
Other4 = "VEN_8086&DEV_7111;Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller;4.10.1998;Microsoft;"
Other5 = "VEN_8086&DEV_7112;Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller;4.10.2222;Microsoft;"
Other6 = "VEN_8086&DEV_7113;Intel 82371EB Power Management Controller;4.10.2222;Microsoft;

 

[micker377]

I think the question is more of memory and resources. Win98 runs out of resources very quick. You may have to go to NT or XP to handle all these processes at the same time.

 

[dakota81]

Matrox makes 4 head video cards.

http://www.matrox.com/mga/multidisplay/product_chart.cfm

 

[dakota81]

Matrox says that under 2000 & XP you can combine multiple cards of theirs & get up to 10 displays.

 

[drjerry]

Thanks Gents,
According to Windows 98SE manuel, up to 9 monitors can be supported, so I'm going to give this a go with five. Stock quotes don't have a lot of action, so I think its worth trying.
Regarding Matrox, they are great, but way out of my budjet. Used costs $400, new around $600-$800.
Does anyone know if there is an S3 dual monitor card that might work in my computer, using an S3 driver that ,therefore, might not require disabling the on board built in S3 Trio 3D video card.
Thanks,
Jerry

 

[dakota81]

How much have you spent on the hercules cards, how much time & research is going into finding another compatible solution, trial & error of different configurations? That's why I recommend Matrox even though they are more expensive.

 

[drjerry]

Thanks for your interest. As mentioned in my post, my Hercules cards cost $32ea refurbished.

Still interested in answers to my first post's questions:
1-Is there a way to add two older dual monitor video cards and still keep the on board card working, to support 5 monitors.
2- If not how do I disable that S3 Trio card completely. (I believe the new cards will be accepted if this can be accomplished)
3- Should I be concerned about the cooling of my Hercules cards?
4- Any other advice or suggestions?
Thanks, Jerry

 

[tomaso11]

Jerry, wouldnt it be simpler to start with a dual monitor card in the video slot replacing the S3 and then try adding one of the Hercules cards?

 

[tomaso11]

Jerry, have you seen Microsoft knowledge base articles
Q 179602 & Q 182708

 

[drjerry]

Thanks ,The s3 video card is built in to the motherboard and cannot be removed, only disabled. This is part of my question. How do I disable the imbedded card?
I'll check the microsoft database later.

 

[dakota81]

1) Plug in a pci card & monitor to that and the motherboard will automatically disable the onboard video controller

- or -

2) The onboard video controller cannot be disabled


Them's your options - disabling the onboard video has absolutely nothing to do with Windows or any other piece of software.