Can't get dual monitors to work

[newbarns]

I have bought a new desktop computer and added an nvidia graphics card to run 2 monitors.

One monitor runs without a problem.

After inserting the DVI to VGA adapter and then plugging in the 2nd monitor nothing happend.

I use windows vista and all the help just say go to control panel - appearence and personalisation - adjust screen resolution / display settings from where you can activate the "number 2 monitor".

However Vista does not recognise there is another montior so there is no number 2 monitor in this section.

To add to this both screens work as I've had both running separately and since plugging in both of them at the same time Vista has switched to using the newly plugged in one.

I have switched off and on but nothing changes. Windows help website is useless. Now I think I understand Apple people when they say ...they just ..work.

Can anyone help me please????

[MobilePCPhysician]

What graphics card do you have? did you install the software that came with the card??

[Guts3d]

First thing that I would suggest is to be sure that the new video card is seated firmly into the correct socket after unplugging the machine ( I.E. AGP, PCI or PCI E ). Did Vista tell you that it found new hardware? If not, the card might be defective.

[BOB IROC]

Are you sure the graphics card is dual monitor capable? I have seen graphic cards with one analog display port and on DVI display that are NOT dual monitor capable.

Sounds to me that either the correct drivers are not installed or maybe the DVI to VGA Adaptor may not be working or loose in some way. If the computer does not detect a monitor plugged in to a display port you cannot enable it in Windows.

Now I think I understand Apple people when they say ...they just ..work.

Don't fall into that because Macs have their issues too just like any other computer. I support hundreds of them on my network along with Windows PCs and Macs are far from problem free.

[CeeBee]

By any chance is one of the monitors attached to an on-board adapter? Many motherboards automatically disable the on-board video when a card is installed. Other than that it boils down to having the drivers installed. Also some video cards don't "see" a connected monitor until they are powered down.