People say a PC never has too much memory or processing power. Windows 98 users can add display space to that list. If you don't mind the cost and the configuration hassles, you can add up to nine monitors with Win 98. Certainly, anyone who continually jumps from browser to

e-mail to spreadsheets to databases to other applications will find adding at least one extra screen a boon to productivity.

Adding a second monitor requires four things: a spare monitor, an open PCI expansion slot, and two graphics cards backed with drivers that support Windows 98's multiple-monitor capability. The monitor and open PCI slot need no setup, but finding and configuring your graphics cards can take some time and energy.

Both your current graphics card and the one you add must use a chip set and driver that support the Win 98 multiple-monitor feature. Microsoft maintains a list of compatible cards, chips, and drivers in its Knowledge Base (search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp). The list you want is either in Windows 98 Display.txt File or in Windows 98 Second Edition Display.txt File. Select Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition from the 'My search is about' menu, and then enter the keyword display.txt under 'My question is' to find links to the list you need.

For the name and version of your graphics card's installed driver, right-click My Computer, click Properties, select the Device Manager tab, double-click Display adapters, double-click the adapter name that appears, choose the Driver tab, and click the Driver File Details button (see FIGURE 1).

If your installed graphics card-or your second card-isn't on the list, don't panic. Some newer cards that support multiple monitors aren't yet on the list. Check with the cards' manufacturers. Older or less-popular graphics cards not on the list may work if you install the right driver.

Installing the Microsoft drivers included on the Windows 98 CD is wisest. When you're ready to connect your second card, let the Windows 98 Add New Hardware wizard select and install the driver. If it can't find a Microsoft driver, consider installing one from the display.txt list that works with your card's graphics chip.

If while installing any device driver Windows says it can't find a needed file on the Windows CD that you know is there, your Registry source path may have been corrupted by another software program. Click Browse and point Windows to the the Windows CD's drivers/display folder.

By Kirk Steers