Dual Monitors - Don't Minimize my game?

[Blue Knight]

I've always wanted to know how to use Dual-monitors for games. Like use one for the main screen, while use the other for msg systems, movies, etc.

My problem is that if I alt-tab, or try to move to/click any other window other than the game, the game (on the primary screen) will minimize.

Is there any workaround this? Anyway to switch windows without using the focus? I'd like to multitask to the extreme. Having dual monitors without being able to use them for games seems like a waste.

[Ramfart]

The game has to support dual monitors, It sucks because not many do. I bought flight simulator 2004 because it has dual monitor support, it does but not the way I want it. I want my view out of the plane to span across both monitors, if you try it it goes to software mode and chokes to about 1 frame per second with my Radeon 9700 pro. Now I can have a different view on both monitors and it works great. I can set one up for intruments and the other for outside view. Wish there was a list of games somewhere that had dual monitor support. On the other hand dual monitors are very functional in most other programs, and windows itself.

[Sobek]

Try running the game in windowed mode. That may work on some older games but most likely will not on newer ones.

edit: After searching Google for a while I couldn't find any comprehensive list of games that allow multi-monitor support other than FS2004 (previous versions only allowed 3d on the main monitor) and ST Armada II.

[Talz]

Yeah, current dual monitor drivers are pretty basic. They've made progress but still a lack quite a bit. Best solution atm is a basic sff as a 2nd system, at least imo.

[ullyeus]

hmmm I came here about to ask teh same question


that seems kinda lame.....

I think I may sell one of my monitors if I cant alt tab to the other monitor

[Syphon Filter]

this is not a driver issue so to speak tho is it really? Its more and OS thing...remember the game is running in windows as are the other programs you are running such as IM or whatever...alt-tabbing to another program (ie away from the game) removes the focus from one program to the other....dual screening wasnt really designed for gaming. Its primary use is for monitoring stuff (like say in a power plant or factory) and to allow you to have a large workspace at your disposal for webdesign, graphic work etc.

[epicstruggle]

Originally posted by Sobek
Try running the game in windowed mode. That may work on some older games but most likely will not on newer ones.

edit: After searching Google for a while I couldn't find any comprehensive list of games that allow multi-monitor support other than FS2004 (previous versions only allowed 3d on the main monitor) and ST Armada II.
here you go:
list of multimonitor supported games (http://www.matrox.com/mga/3d_gaming/surrgame.cfm)

later,
epic