Dual Screens?

[sjrgcms]

Is there any option for allowing using my ActiveBoard and my computer independently? In other words, if my co-teacher is using the board, can I be at my computer checking grades or going online? I can theorize doing this with two video cards but wonder if there is a software solution.

[kellyandbryan]

On some projectors there is a freeze button that will allow the board screen to "freeze" while you take attendance, etc... When the screen on the board is frozen though you can't do anything to it or manipulate it in anyway. I am not aware of any way that you can use both at the same time if the computer that you are wanting to use is connected to the board, unfortunately. Someone once told me that they thought you could set up two different desktops through the projector, but I have never tried it, so I'm not sure if that would work.

[dcsherwood]

YES!!! I always present mine in Dual mode because I don't want my email (suspensions) to pop up or if kids are tardy and I need to change them in the computer....OR I want to find a video or google something to slide over based on a question a student has asked.

Our school has PCs so I don't know directions for Macs.

FIRST- you have to set your properties on your desktop to dual monitors (on mine, I right-click on desktop to get to properties)

SECOND - (your computer needs to be in dual before opening activstudio)
Open Activstudio
Studiosettings → Multiple Monitors
Opening Flipchart = specific monitor = 2 (it will tell you it needs to close down and reopen - do it)
Arrange Windows = mouse monitor (these two I just like so I can slide them over wherever I want)
Show Other Tools = mouse monitor
(you can also set other tools, I just haven't played with them as much)

When you calibrate screen
When it says Calibrate Screen 1 (you will see it on computer, not screen), hit Alt-Tab till you get to calibrate screen and then tab over to NO
When it says Calibrate Screen 2 (you will see it on screen), click enter on your computer (don’t mess with the board yet)
Then go through the calibratescreen steps with crosshairs.

You are set at that point! Anytime you want to just mess with it on your computer and not on dual screen , just go back to multiple monitors and change it to 1. I do this when not hooked up to board.

Good luck!! I think I remembered all the steps.[clap]

[scaulfield]

Kelly's suggestion is a very good one. Many people don't know about the freeze function on the projector and it is super useful.

dcsherwood thanks for the directions on the PC side. I know that it can also be done on the Mac side, by going into System Preferences and Displays. I believe it is Mirror Displays, but I'm not 100% sure, as this is not my expertise.

[dcsherwood]

When you are in dual screens (at least on windows), it is an extended desktop. You still only have one mouse. If the mouse is being utilized on the activboard, it can't also be used on computer. We found that out accidentally when we did a mini training and someone was showing someone how to do something on the board which was hooked up to my computer while I was trying to find something on my computer...everytime the pen was used on the activboard, i lost using the mouse on my computer screen.

Dawn Sherwood

[scaulfield]

Dawn,

Great info! Thanks for posting!

[ade0100]

Okay, so I set it up as an extended desktop with my laptop as screen one and the board as screen two. I then go to calibrate and specify which board, so I go through all of that and it seems fine.

But when calibration mode exits and I try to use the pen, it still moves the cursor on my laptop and not on the board. Any ideas? Am I missing something obvious?

[bjauw]

I have the same problem! I love using the dual screen setup that OS X provides, but every time I have to recalibrate the pen, I run into the same problem. The only solution I have discovered is to temporarily set the LCD projector as my main monitor for calibration purposes, and then reset it to my secondary. I would just keep it as my primary, but it makes the cursor move on my computer screen when I'm at the board instead of the LCD screen. So I have to set it as my secondary for the cursor to be in the right spot

[DavidFhu]

Okay, so I set it up as an extended desktop with my laptop as screen one and the board as screen two. I then go to calibrate and specify which board, so I go through all of that and it seems fine.

But when calibration mode exits and I try to use the pen, it still moves the cursor on my laptop and not on the board. Any ideas? Am I missing something obvious?

That is strange. I never encounter this issue before. I have be a heavy user of Dual Screen. I hope I would have Dual Projector with Dual AB. That mean I have more working space on board.

[testube]

I have exactly the same problem