Hi,

I have a lovely Dell desktop which has some sort of graphics card in it, looks like PCI-E, cant be sure.

If I want a Dual Desktop/Monitor setup how do I generally go about it?

Do I need another GFX card? Obviously I need another monitor!

Any specific software to use? Compatable with Vista?

Any advise is appreciated

You need a graphics card with two outputs.  If yours only has one, replace it with something with two.  Typically one will be VGA (standard blue monitor socket), but one or both could be DVI (longer, white).

Once you have a card with 2 outputs, get two monitors, plug them in and if its a relatively modern card they should work after a quick fiddle in the display settings.  Note that DVI monitors require a card with a DVI output, whereas VGA monitors can run from either VGA outputs of DVI outputs through an adapter (usually free with GFX cards, otherwise a £ or two on fleabay).

Then download a trial of ultramon and have some fun; ultramon is basically an improvement on the standard dual monitor support in windows/graphics card drviers, just sits on top of it all and works nicer.  Not sure if they do a vista one yet tho.

[edit] heres a twin DVI card, with a DVI-VGA adapter plugged into one:

http://images.thgweb.de/2005/11/16/das_grosse_thg_stecker_kompendium/vga_dvi1.jpg

The Dell desktops usually have a dual head capabale DVI output on them so you just need a splitter (my dell desktop came with one) and 2 monitors.

 Just had a look, its got a VGA and DVI output.

Current monitor is in the VGA slot, I have a DVI to VGA adapter for the new monitor [not bought the monitor yet].

Will I need a splitter still ?

Oh and thanks for the info guys

nope

Yeah, just go for it...in fact get a monitor with a DVI input and you wont even need the convertor.

...and itll be better quality.