Seems the magic sauce was to put the relevant files in these locations:

C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\XXUSERNAMEXX\team fortress 2\
SoftTH.cfg
SoftTH_hook.dll

C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\XXUSERNAMEXX\team fortress 2\bin\
d3d8.dll
d3d9.dll

Click Here to watch in HD!

Download The Music! Warning the website may be Not Safe For Work.

Tips: Use spacebar to move through the new map screens.
Download my Config file: softth
I load the game and switch to 16:9 and 4000×1200 resolution for it to work. It does not seem to like any other aspect ratio for me.

Digg This!

With NVIDIA’s gracious new fall driver I decided I cannot go any further without SLI.

Before the driver update, enabling SLI would disable all of the video interfaces on your SLI cards spare one.  After the update the remaining interfaces on the master SLI card have been re-enabled.  This is great if you want to dual-screen, but I must have triple if not quad displays!

Join me in my path to SLI and get some handy tips along the way…

Starting out the test PC has two NVIDIA 8800GTS’s installed and the majority of time SLI is disabled for multi-monitor support.  I first installed the GeForce release 180 driver.  The majority of your SLI questions can be answered here.

Next I installed the third video card that will not be in SLI mode.  Because it is not SLI’ed you can use any modern NVIDIA card.  For this example we used a GeForce 7950GT.  Don’t forget to plug in the 3rd PCI Express power cable!  I also made sure the left and right display’s were plugged into the 3rd card(7950GT).

On first boot with the 3rd card installed all the screens went black after booting windows.  The solution was to power cycle and during POST press F8 for safe mode options.  If running Vista, choose the 640×480 low resolution mode and boot.  You can now see windows and accept the driver install.  Reboot once the card is finished detecting.

Next you want to right click on the desktop and choose Personalize and Display Settings.  Here you can right click on the disabled monitors and click attached to bring your side monitors back into view.

Hopefully your last step is to go into the NVIDIA controll panel and enable SLI and everything will be awesome!  If you are as unfortunate as myself the SLI option will be hidden, probibly due to how new this feature is and you will have to use the old method.  O.K.  Now you can party!

Oblivion was not difficult to use SoftTH v1.07b to span 3 screens, no configuration changes were needed, although I prefer changing the side monitors to run in 32bit rather than 16bit. This can be done with the following setting  secondaryFormat=RGB32

Bonus: Triple Screen Ending (Spoilers)

Click more for complete step by step instructions.

Before starting your work on hacking the game it is recommended you edit the intro trailers so you don’t have to sit through them each and every time you try to change a setting and reload the game. This can be don’t by adding a tilde before anything with trailer in its name in the (Program Files)\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis\Game\Localized\Video\ directory. Also to skip the ESRB message you need to go into the language sub-folder and edit the Trailer_rating.sfg file.

Next you will want to download  SoftTH, I am using v.106b at the time of this writing because after a couple hours of trying later versions, this was the one that worked best.  Edit: I got 1.07b working, details added below.

Following the instructions in quickstart.txt, it tells you to “place SoftTH files (d3d8.dll, d3d9.dll, SoftTH.cfg, etc.) to game executable directory. This is usually the directory the game is installed in, in some games the ‘real’ executable is located in a subdirectory (Such as ‘System’ or ‘bin’).”

(For v1.07b) The only edit I needed to make to SoftTH.cfg was changing useMultihead=0 .   Also if after testing, you find your PC can run tipple screens fairly fast, then you can improve the quality of the side images by setting secondaryFormat=RGB32 so the side monitors are not degraded to 16bit for speed. Should v1.07b not work for you, you can fall back to v1.06b…

(For v1.06b) The only edit I needed to make to SoftTH.cfg was changing the secondaryWidth to 1280, and secondaryHeight to 1024. Naturally this is dependent on your hardware and may need to be 1024×768, or 800×600. Also if after testing, you find your PC can run tipple screens fairly fast, then you can improve the quality of the side images by setting secondary16bpp=0 so the sides are not reduced to 16bit for speed.

Crysis is unique in that you need to create a new file in your %ProgramFiles%\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis\ directory called system.cfg (Thanks “Tricky”!) and in that file place the following text based on what you used in the SoftTH.cfg file:

r_Height=1024

r_width=3840

Now you are ready to start the game.   I am using Vista(64bit) and have to ensure I am running the right version of the game because SoftTH does not yet support DX10 or 64bit games. So you may need to run the following file and switch at the end, you can do this by editing the shortcut for the game. “%ProgramFiles%\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis\Bin32\Crysis.exe” -DX9

And lastly I changed my graphics settings all down to medium resolution. It will run with everything on high, but the frame rate takes a serious hit, setting everything to the medium preset made it playable. This is because og how SoftTH uses the primary card to render one really wide screen and then chops off the sides and sends them to the other card which merely displays the image it is given. If I got a 3^rd video card, I could run the first 2 is SLI and the 3^rd will display the side images.

The differences between high and medium settings can be viewed here. Keep in mind the Jpg compression makes it difficult to see the differences.

High Pic    Medium Pic

Benefits:

Being able to see a wider view not only allows you to be less likely to be blindsided, but there are many other benefits such as seeing what is near you while scoped in, a richer experience overall.

Enjoy!

-Grizz

Presenter View is a severely under used feature of PowerPoint 2007, and can improve presentations for even the most experienced presenters.

You can do a lot more with the Presenter View in PowerPoint 2007.
Easily and privately preview upcoming slides and notes. Research information to answer questions during slide shows, and more, without the audience ever realizing it.

I recommend you view the PowerPoint Presentation (4.3MB) on the topic so you can try it while reading along.

If you do not have PowerPoint 2007, I have saved a PDF version (1.4MB) as well.

Enjoy!

If you find yourself flipping between your Outlook Calendar and E-mails a lot, you can open both at the same time. Just right click the lower left icon you want to open, such as Calendar in this photo, and open it in another monitor.

[H]ardOCP.com has the scoop of a beautifully done monitor mod.  Shadowlord, well known on the HardForum’s for his handywork in PC Modding, completed a well photographed complete benzel and base replacement.  Jump on over, it looks pretty doable for the average joe.

Day 1 – Today I decided to really thoroughly test synergy, and the best way to find out if you really love or hate something is to use it on your personal PC every day, for better or worse I am going along for this ride.

My main PC has dual screens, and I would really like to maximize my desk space so I stole the “Guest PC” from my other desk and set it up on my desk. With a 24 inch in the middle and a 19 inch on each side I feel like I am getting a tan when I turn on both PC’s after squeezing all three monitors onto my desktop.

Day 3 – I am lazy and haven’t setup synergy yet, I am using both PC’s using 2 sets of keyboards and mice. It’s really frustrating when I start typing on the wrong keyboard, or move the wrong mouse. I don’t think I will ever get used to having two. I will most likely install tomorrow, but I felt adding today’s entry was important because I am experiencing all the frustrations Synergy is suppose to solve.

The only thing I do not like about this setup is I am used to having all my chat and messenger windows open to my right, and now my secondary screen is to the left. It’s weird to move the mouse left to a new screen for me, I will let you know how I adapt.

Day 4 – The guest PC is fully patched and updated. Installing and configuring Synergy took all of 30 seconds after following my first write-up instructions. http://multimonitor.net/2007/06/throw-out-your-kvm%e2%80%99s-synergy-does-it-right-part-1/

Writing today’s entry is simple, it is natural for me to copy a URL from my main PC and paste it into this review. The clipboard copying is a sweet bonus.

And it works with images too! (Not files, copying screen shots or in paint.)

Adding automatic startup is as easy as clicking a single button and synergy will start on boot and the PC’s will automatically connect.

Day 5 – I realized today that when I type on a full screen E-Mail or Word document on a secondary monitor I tend to move the mouse pointer out of the way and onto the main screen. This causes a problem with synergy setups because your keystrokes go to the PC with the mouse. I catch myself typing a couple letters and nothing will show up on the slave PC’s word processor until I figure out my mouse is on the master PC and I just accidentally searched Google, oops.

Day 9 – When games or movies are running in full screen mode and the cursor leaves to the other PC’s desktop weird things happen, like the start bar shows up over the full screen application, or in other cases the sound and/or video stops. No thing to be critical about, as soon as you move the cursor back to the main PC all is well.

Day 10 – Having the “Guest PC” to my right is driving me bonkers. Rather than training myself to stop pushing the mouse out of the way to type, I swapped the guest pc over to the left of my main monitor, and my secondary monitor on my gaming PC went to the right. Ahhh, this is much more fluid and natural. Everything behaves the way I like. Cursor out of the way, Chat to my right, and torrents to my left. Live is good, and very accessible.

Day 13 – Not a single crash, or other issue. Synergy has been running for days and every time I boot, the PC’s Sync like magic without any intervention. This is definitely a very stable product. One feature I wish I had was the ability to change an option on the Guest PC’s synergy (Sync Screen Saver check box) without having to plug in a mouse and keyboard to the system and stop synergy. But there are so very few options that this miner issue is barely worth noting.

Day 14 – I have been full screen gaming pretty regularly with Synergy and have not had one issue. I guess it’s good to point out that whenever you are using an application that does have issues with the mouse leaving the screen such as a first person shooter with Mouse-look, you get used to pressing Scroll Lock button to disable synergy. Most games do not have the key mapped to anything and you can game on without an issue.

Day 15 – I am writing this entry on my guest PC while waiting for the next round of Supreme Commander to begin. I feel I can use both PC’s like a pro! I really enjoy the ease and benefits of Synergy and I am now wondering about what the limitations are.

Day 20 – I set up a laptop with Synergy and configured it to be a 3^rd PC, and my 4^th monitor. Just as I suspected it works like a charm. A couple setting tweaks and I enabled screen wrapping so when the cursor rolls off the utmost right screen it appears to my left. Too easy! A couple tweaks more on the server settings and the laptop is now below the primary monitor in a “T” formation. I imagine you could set up a 4 PC setup in a 2×2 formation if you wanted to control multiple PC’s with little mouse movement but the configuration could get confusing and may need to be written down to get it just right. Here is where Synergy could really benifit from a GUI where you can drag monitor icons around.

Day 22 – I have noticed that when you have the push to talk key set in Ventrillo and the cursor leaves this system while you are pushing the key, it stays pressed. This could lead to an embarrassing situation whenever some application leaves the microphone on. The same thing happens in WoW. When running using the “W” key, I continue running if the mouse leaves the main PC. Bringing the mouse back into the host system resets the key. I would consider this a minor issue, because most games and professional applications are not affected by this.

Day 25 – With the addition of a second 8800GTS onto my Gaming PC the time to review Synergy is coming to an end. I need all 3 monitors to begin breaking testing the next cool app’. All 3 monitors are hooked up my main PC, but the utmost right LCD’s VGA is hooked up to both PC’s. Now i can still access the Guest PC with synergy, I push the input button on the monitor to switch to the VGA source.

1. Find an unused monitor and ask to use it until it is needed. Rather than having an old or spare monitor collect dust in a store room you can ask your manager if you can make use of any unused monitors. I found specifically asking for a particular monitor is more likely to get an instant denial than asking for any monitor. It makes your manager have to think for a minute about what monitors are available. If your manager says there are no spare ones, then just politely ask them for one if it becomes available.






2. Inform them. It’s a fact that more desktop real-estate improves productivity, look it up! Just be prepared to back it up if you ever get your second screen. Remember additional desktop space = Productivity!
3. Two small ones are cheaper than one big one. If they are hung up on the added cost, then let them know how much money they would be saving.
4. Trial offer. If productivity is going to increase than offer to prove it. Here you can make a deal for another monitor in exchange for working faster, or completing that long overdue project.
5. Dress to impress. Are you seated in a public location that customers are likely to pass? Having workstations with multiple monitors portrays employees who work efficiently doing twice the work. When you sell your manager on this be sure not to elude that you will be doing double the work, that’s the illusion, but realistically it will not be as much as two fold.
6. Suggest that they use a Multi-monitor setup themselves. Sometimes managers will not let you have more “toys” than them, so when are informing them of all the great benefits you hint at how much you would benefit from it too.
7. Special application needs. Find a task you use often and explain how it will specifically benefit from a wider or taller screen. This could be a video editor time line, or a programming application. This is up to you, but I’m sure you have been using it long enough you already know just what application this is.
8. Play the disability card. Using a bigger desk space may enable you to use a lower, less eye straining resolution without losing desk space. And you will be exercising your eyes a little by looking to the other screen and back.
9. Negotiate. I never tried this one, but if you are just a number at a large corporation I could see it working. Ask for 4 monitors if you need 3, 6 if you need 4, or 10 if you are a day trader. Whatever your need, ask for extra and then hope for the best. If they cut you back a couple then you may get the number you needed. Your mileage may vary.
10. Request a laptop. In a roundabout way, it’s a screen! You can then use a variety of methods to use the laptop and desktop at the same time with software reported on this site. Or if you are upgraded to a laptop, keep your old screen and use both the built in screen and the old monitor at the same time. This is one of few options if your workstation does not have multiple monitor interfaces.
11. Ask someone else. This is a last resort and a sure fire way to get in big trouble if busted. I will never advocate going above your manager, but asking a friend in the IT department might prove resourceful
12. Request a second PC. Sometimes you have to take the long way around. If you aquire a second PC with its own monitor for your workspace you can then use MaxiVista or Synergy.
13. B.Y.O. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands and bring in spare hardware from home to set yourself up right.

Good luck to you, remember you may be paving the way to company wide dual monitors, if proven successful. And then everybody wins.

It happens all the time. You change your multi-monitor configuration in some way and now there is a window unreachable off the side of the screen. Way out in right field your Skype buddy list is napping, or even your web browser. This is because applications try to be intelligent and remember their last location for next time they are used.

The first step to resolution is admitting you have a problem. You open a new web browser and it is nowhere to be found. But you can see it in the task bar. Clicking on it multiple times you can see it restore with a ghostly visual queue that it is going up and to the right where your monitor used to be. Aha! Now you know where the little devil is, you can begin the work to reeling it back in. Right click on it in the task bar and select “Move”. This allows you to move the window using your arrow keys.

But what if you do not have a move option? No problem. Alt+Tab till the desired window is selected, Alt+Space Bar, then press “M” for move, Press “Enter” when the window is finally in view. This works for Skype and many other programs which strip the “Move” option from the task bar menu.