Dual monitor setup problem.

[House of Roberts]

I have been using my Vizio TV as a monitor on my Windows 7 computer when I'm not watching a TV program. I had a Viewsonic monitor which was the original monitor for the W7 machine, and was advised to purchase an HDMI cable to add the Vizio when wanted. When I installed the cable, I automatically achieved a two monitor system where the cursor could migrate from one screen to the other. That system continues to work, and once when I had a resolution problem, I learned how to select the appropriate settings to alternate between the monitors at will.

Now comes my problem. I have attempted to add dual monitor capability to my Windows 10 computer. I've installed the cable and turned on the devices, only to find the cursor stays on the TV screen, but all the windows I need to open to try to fix my problem appear on the HP monitor. I can't get the cursor to move to the same monitor the window is on. The options for dual monitor are not as clear as on the Windows 7 and I must be missing something. Any clues?

[Earth-shine]

1. In the setup screen for the monitor configuration, make sure the two monitors are touching.

The two monitors need to be in a contiguous space for the pointer to move between them.

One of the monitors has to be set to "Extend desktop to this display".

[House of Roberts]

2. My experience with the W7 unit,

implies that the computer must see two monitors to give the options needed to set up for two monitors.

I just powered down and disconnected the HDMI cable from the W10 unit to hopefully restore what I had without the HDMI cable connected. It just came back up.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

7. You should plug in just the monitor at start-up

Then go to display settings, then plug the TV HDMI into the video card. Then arrange the screen icons so the one that's physically on the left ... is on the left in the settings. As mentioned, the screen icons should 'touch' in the settings.

Then choose extend desktop as the option.

[sdfernando]

3. It could be that the computer thinks the displays are arranged differently.

Like the left display is on the right and and vice-versa....if that's the case then moving the mouse all the way right, you may see it appear on the left edge of the left monitor or vice-versa. Once you can get to the options window you can rearrange the layout.

[House of Roberts]

4. That may be the answer.

I didn't think of moving the cursor the wrong way to get to the other screen. I'll try that next when I have the chance. Thanks!

[canetoad]

8. Go to Settings, Display

Use your mouse to drag the large monitor icons numbered 1 and 2 into the order that suits you. It's a pain moving the mouse backwards to go from one screen to the next!

Make sure you click 'Identify' and set your main display.

[House of Roberts]

5. By the way

I never learn much about computers until they mess me up. Then I have to reach that new level of incompetence first.

[sdfernando]

6. We all rise to our level of incompetence....

then its up to us to figure out if we breach it or leave it be.