Connect my Acer monitor to my digital cable box.

YES.

I believe it is time now for the guessing game............

1) Is the monitor about so high, and so wide?

2) Does the monitor look like a small TV, or is it flat in appearance?

3) What does the monitor cable look like?

4) Is your hair Brown, and do you smoke cigarettes?



NO.............just wanted to see if you were following along! Geez!



An Analog monitor, such as a CRT type of monitor, uses a VGA cable,

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-crt-monitor.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_Connector

Scroll down a little for a VGA Cable example.

Flat LCD screen monitors are Digital.
Some may have a VGA Cable attached, but the best cable option is a DVI cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

(Click on any photo on those two Wikipedia pages, to enlarge)

Using these two examples, does one apply to the eMachines, and one apply to the monitor?

Let us say the monitor has a DVI cable.
The eMachines Desktop PC has a VGA port. (Connector)
For this you would simply use a DVI to VGA adapter,

http://www.directron.com/dviadapter.html

Now notice...........this is a VGA MALE to DVI FEMALE.

The DVI cable on the flat LCD screen monitor, has a male connector.
The contact pins of it go into socket holes, in the DVI end, of the DVI to VGA adapter.

The VGA port on the eMachines, has socket holes.
The male VGA connector end on the DVI to VGA adapter, has contact pins.

Point?

Make sure you get the correct DVI to VGA adapter.
There is a male DVI to female VGA adapter, also.

This is just one example.
For instance I'm using an HP 2009M 20-inch widescreen monitor, AND an RCA 26-inch HDTV, as dual monitors.

Presently using the HP 2009M with a DVI cable, and the RCA L26HD31 HDTV with a VGA cable.

(I'm also using an ATI Radeon HD5450 graphics card. Pretty 'pud', but it does OK for what I want)

Primer;
A computer sends out a digital signal. To get the best graphics quality, you ideally use a monitor with a digital cable. (DVI, etc)

When you use an Analog monitor on a computer, the computer has to change the digital signal down to an Analog one.
Therefore the graphics quality is not as great.

Digital cable technology now, is DVI, HDMI, Display Port, and Mini-Display Port. And some others I'm sure I've forgotten.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Video-Connectors-Tutorial/157

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Also post what the monitor manufacturer name, and model number is. (Look on the back)

Are you using the VGA connector on the motherboard, (Back of computer), or do you have a graphics card installed?

If you have a graphics card installed, what is the manufacturer name, and model number?

Regards,
joecoolvette

Doesn't work that way Max.

You can use EITHER the OnBoard Graphics,
OR;
the Add-On Card graphics. (Graphics card)

BIOS will NOT support both at the same time.

If you wish to use dual monitors, get an AGP card that has more than one graphics port on it.

For example, although I'm using a graphics card based on the PCI Express technology, and not AGP technology; my card has a VGA port, DVI port, and HDMI port.

1) VGA Connector; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_Connector

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Male_VGA_connector.jpg


2) DVI; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dvi-cable.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface#Connector

3) HDMI; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

I use the VGA port, and the DVI port.

RCA EN-V L26HD31, (26 inch HDTV) to the VGA port.
HP 2009M 20 inch Widescreen monitor to the DVI port.

Had to install drivers for HP 2009M.

Let's say I had two DVI ports on the graphics card.
(ATI Radeon HD5450 is the graphics card I have)

But I have a monitor with a VGA cable, and a monitor with a DVI cable.
I would (And have) use a VGA to DVI Adapter.
One example,

http://www.directron.com/dvi.html

Note that the DVI is Male, and the VGA is Female.
The graphics card DVI connector is Female.
The VGA Cable connector is Male.

So.............what is the manufacturer name, and model number of the graphics card; plus what type of monitors are you trying to use?
That is, what type of monitor cables do they have?

Know this;
My HDTV I'm using as a monitor is Digital. However I'm using a VGA cable on it. Best quality would be achieved if I got off my lazy rear, and attached a DVI Cable to it. It uses both.

VGA is Analog. A computer however puts out a digital video signal.
The computer has to convert the digital video signal to an Analog one. This slows the video signal down, and the quality is not as good.

Best to use a digital monitor. (Or a digital monitor WITH a digital cable. DVI Cable. Such as I need to do)

You are also using a PCI Express graphics card, NOT an AGP graphics card.

I'm wrong? OK.

In the meantime turn the computer off, unplug from power, and yank that AGP card out of the slot you put it in.

Tell me what expansion slot on the motherboard you put it in.

The Orange expansion slot on the motherboard, is a PCI-Express x16 slot. Uses a PCI Express graphics card -> ONLY

The white expansions slots are PCI.
Can use a PCI graphics card. CANNOT use an AGP graphics card.

Post back in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131338

Yes.

The area on the back of the computer, that has two ports to connect a monitor, is a Graphics Card.

It is a PCI-Express graphics card, and is plugged into a PCI-Express x16 slot on the motherboard.
(Expansion Slot)

It has a blue VGA port, white DVI port, and black S-Video port.

The area on the upper left with a blue outline around a VGA port, is a VGA port connected directly to the motherboard. It is Integrated Graphics.

You CANNOT use Integrated Graphics, and a graphics card at the same time.

It's either use the Integrated Graphics VGA port, OR use the graphics port/s on the graphics card.
BIOS will Not support using both Integrated Graphics, and a graphics card.

HOWEVER, you can use the VGA port, and the DVI port when using two monitors.
You will be only using just the graphics card.

Example of a VGA port, (Connector), and VGA cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

Example of a DVI port, and DVI cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVI_connector


1) Whatever monitor you have that has a VGA cable, plug it into the blue VGA port on the graphics card.

(There are VGA monitors {CRT} that resemble a small TV. VGA cable is usually attached.
There are also LCD flat screens that have a VGA connector, for a VGA cable, and may also have both a VGA, and a DVI connector.

To digress for a moment;
VGA is Analog. It uses an Analog video signal.
DVI is digital. It uses a Digital video signal.

A computer naturally puts out a digital video signal. This digital signal has to be converted by the computer, into analog for an analog monitor. This slows the graphics process down. This is one reason it is best to use digital )

2) Plug a monitor with a DVI cable into the white DVI port on the graphics card.

3) Turn the monitors on.

4) Turn the Inspiron 531s on.

5) When Windows has loaded, right-click on an empty area of your desktop computer screen.
Now left-click on Properties at the bottom of the list.
Left-click on the Settings tab.

6) You are now looking at a small window that has two monitor icons in it.
Monitor 1 icon, and monitor 2 icon.

Monitor 1 icon is your Primary Display.
Monitor 2 icon will be for the Secondary Display you are adding.

Note how monitor 1 icon is sitting to the Left, and monitor icon 2 is sitting to the Right.
This is how your monitors are supposed to be arranged on your computer desk.

If the second monitor is on the Left on your computer desk, you need to move the icons around.
Move monitor 2 icon to the Left.

Left-click on the icon, hold the left mouse key down, and drag the monitor 2 icon over to the left side of monitor 1 icon. (All the way over, or it will snap back to where it was)

It may matter to you how your monitors are arranged. It may not. Once you read the following it may help you decide.

7) Left-click on monitor icon 2 if you have not already done so.
Go down to where it states, "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor"

8) Left-click once in the empty square, to the left of Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor.

9) Now left-click on Apply at the bottom Right corner.

10) Finally left-click on OK at the bottom Left corner.

You should now see your desktop screen on both monitors.

When using the internet on both monitors, you have to drag the screen from the Primary monitor to the Secondary monitor.

Go to the left side of the screen. Left-click right on the edge of the blue frame. Hold the left mouse key down after you click, and drag the screen across to the left.

Doesn't work?
Go to the right side, click on the blue frame, and drag the screen to the right.

This is why it may matter how the monitors are arranged on your computer desk.

It's kind of eerie your first time dragging the screen across.

You will also find out why it is best to use two similar monitors, when using dual monitors. The pixel resolution is different for both monitors, if they are different from each other.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Just to add:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/inspd531/en/OM/appendix.htm

Any monitor can be used as the second monitor for a computer. However, your computer's graphics card must have two outputs. Some simpler graphics cards, most on-board video chipsets and all laptops *do not have* two outputs. Please check the back of your computer for two VGA outputs, or one VGA and one DVI output (you can use it by connecting a DVI cable to your monitor, or by plugging in a DVI to VGA adapter).
If your graphics card does not have two outputs, or if your computer uses an on-board video chipset, you can buy another graphics card to replace the one you're using.

The monitor is a Fujitsu VL-15DX5G. 15 inch LCD.

The monitor cable uses a female DFP20 connector.
(Display Port 20-pin)

http://auction.thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_auc/image50/cb/4a/00010523850/a1/85/img00149858603.jpg

So you need a male DFP20 to male DVI-D adapter, or adapter cable.

DFP20 Male to plug into the monitor cable, and Male DVI-D (Dual) to plug into the graphics card's, female DVI-D connection.

So far, all I have found from a quick search is a Male DFP20 to Female DVI-D adapter, such as this example,

http://www.worldofcables.com/store/viewitem.asp?idproduct=768

Of course this won't do.

IF, this is all that's available for DFP20 adapters, you'll need an adapter of Male DVI-D to Male DVI-D, also. (Yes, I am aware of how crazy that sounds)

(It would appear, adapters are sold to connect a normal DVI-D monitor cable, {Male}, to a computer with a female DFP20 connector)

Should your searching only find DVI-D female to DFP20 male adapters, or adapter cables, then here is an example of a DVI-D male to DVI-D male adapter,

http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/m-sgc-dvid-mm.htm

(DVI-D male to DVI-D male cable would probably be better as there would be less strain on the graphics card's DVI-D connection)

Please check whether you are using a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) cable or VGA (Video Graphics Array) cable to the monitor.The monitor will adjust automatically to the requirements of the connected cable.From the question I think you had connected a DVI cable to the monitor.Make sure that there is no loose contact between the ports and the cable.Also make sure that the proper settings on the monitor are done for the DVI cable configuration.

The Asus Essentio CG5270 is a desktop computer, so I see it was placed in the wrong category. No prob!

Certain selected models of the Essentio CG5270 come with a graphics card. If you have this graphics card, you can use two monitors at the same time. (Dual monitors)

If you do Not have one of the selected models with a graphics card, you have to purchase, and install a graphics card.
You can purchase a decent graphics card that has dual DVI ports, and is relatively inexpensive.

Looking at the back of your computer,

1) View the purple PS/2 port. The port where you can plug in either a Keyboard, or a Mouse.

Come straight down to the blue VGA connector. This port is to connect a VGA monitor, (Looks like a small TV), or an PCD monitor that has a VGA cable.
(Flat screen monitor)

Look to the immediate right of the blue VGA connector. This white port is a DVI connector.
You can connect an LCD monitor to it that has a DVI cable.

This two ports are Onboard graphics ports. (On the motherBoard)

You Cannot connect a monitor at the same time to these ports.
BIOS will only recognize one port.

You have to have a graphics card also.

You can connect two monitors to a graphics card,
IF, it has two graphics ports. For this model it looks like the best they are offering, for connecting two monitors is a DVI port, and a VGA port.

You Cannot hook a monitor up to the Onboard graphics port, and to the graphics card port.

BIOS will only recognize Onboard, or a graphics card. It won't do both.

IF, you have a graphics card.

There are four horizontal slots, on the bottom of the computer tower. IF, you have a graphics card it is usually in the second slot down.

It - Should have a white DVI port on the left, and a blue VGA port on the right.


Again as stated above, you can purchase a graphics card that has two, (Dual) DVI ports on it. Then connect two monitors to the graphics card.

(Digital Visual Interface:
A DVI-I female port is White in color, and has 3 rows of 8 holes. To the right of the holes is a metal bar, shaped like a Plus Sign.
{ + }
There is a hole in each of the four corners, of the Plus Sign.
Four holes in total.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

VGA:
The VGA female port is usually Blue in color.
There are 3 rows of 5 holes. They are staggered.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

If you wish you can plug 1 monitor into the VGA port on a graphics card, and the 2nd monitor into the DVI port on the graphics card.

They also make a Male DVI to Female VGA adapter plug. Has Male DVI pins, and female VGA socket holes.

This is for a monitor that has a VGA cable, and you are adapting it to plug into a DVI port on the graphics card.
Useful if you have two monitors with a VGA cable.

(They also make a Female DVI to Male VGA adapter. Make sure what you want, and what you are purchasing)

NOW, (Not shouting),

The following applied to Windows XP. I see the Essentio CG5270 comes with Windows Vista.
See if the following will crossover to Vista.

1) You have two monitors plugged into your graphics card. Monitors are On.

2) Computer is turned on next. Windows loads up.

3) Right-click on an empty area of your desktop screen.

4) In the small menu that comes up, go to the bottom, and left-click on Properties.

5) In the small Display Properties window that comes up, left-click on the Settings tab.

6) You will see a large blue rectangle with the number 1 in it. This is your Primary monitor icon.
This is your main monitor.

You will see a smaller rectangle in the background, and it will be 'ghosted' out. This is your Secondary monitor icon. This is the second monitor you hooked up.

Left-click on the Secondary monitor icon.

7) The Secondary monitor icon will 'light up'.

NOW,
IF, your Primary monitor is sitting in front of you, and your Secondary monitor is sitting on the Right, it's okay.

IF, your Secondary monitor is on the Left, you need to make a change.
Left-click on the Secondary monitor icon, hold the mouse button down, and drag it over to the Left side of the Primary monitor icon.

Why?
Because you need to have those icons sitting the same way, as your two monitors are sitting on your computer desk.
More will be revealed as you read on.

8) Go to the bottom of this window. You will see -
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor,
and a square box to the left of it.

Left-click in the middle of that square box.
Go to the bottom right, and left-click on Apply.
Go to the left of Apply, and left-click on OK.

Bling! Your second monitor has your desktop on it!

When you go online with your computer using dual monitors. Your Primary monitor will have the what you see online. Your Secondary monitor won't.

Go all the way to the Left side of your monitor screen, with your mouse cursor.
Left-click, and hold the mouse button down. Drag your mouse to the Left.

You should see what you're seeing on the Primary monitor, being dragged over to your Secondary monitor.

No?

Then go to the Right side of your Primary monitor screen, and drag it the other way.

Questions?

Depending upon the video port/s you have on the graphics card, you need to connector one video cable, either the DVI or the 15pin DSub to the monitor.

check all power cable. check vga cable,

I have no experience with the DVI links because such technology is still unavailable here in Argentina. We have DVI video cards but finding a suitable DVI monitor is another (long) story.
I think that your card (that has 2 DVI ports) is initializing one port first (the primary one) and then, when windows starts, it initializes the other and outputs video from both ports.
Try connecting the monitor in the other DVI port.
If your card has a VGA output, the VGA gets initialized first.