Display Issues with Windows 2000 & XP
Although Windows 2000 and XP offer dual-monitor display, some dual-monitor display adapters don't work properly in these operating systems. If you're not using 2000 or XP, or you are but your computer is equipped with two discrete display adapters, you can skip this section. Otherwise, read on:
 
Most display adapters that can output two discrete signals were designed for use in computers running Windows 98 or ME. The multiple-monitor components in Windows 2000 and XP, however, differ from their predecessors', thus rendering many dual-display adapters incapable of doing this trick in these newer OSs.
 
Some display adapter manufacturers have responded with new software drivers that work in 2000 and XP; others haven't done so yet. If your dual-display adapter is incapable of dual-monitor output under Windows 2000 or XP (and you don't want to use 98 or ME instead), you have three options:
 
–       Update the driver: A driver is a file that tells a piece of hardware (e.g., a display adapter) how to speak to a piece of software (e.g., Windows). Visit the display adapter manufacturer's web site and see if they've released new driver that addresses the problem. If it has, download the driver and install it. Note that if the display adapter is installed in a notebook PC, the manufacturer will probably direct you to the computer manufacturer, so it's best to start there instead.
 
–       Install a second display card: If you're running on a desktop PC, this is a simple and relatively inexpensive solution. A PCMCIA display card for a notebook is more expensive. See Notebook PC Options, for more on this solution.
 
–       Try the workaround: In some cases, you can use MediaShout's overlay display on a second monitor even when Windows doesn't recognize that monitor. It's not a perfect solution, but if you can't resolve the problem any other way, you might try this one. See Overlay Display on Second Monitor.