Abstract: The novel computer system (10) includes a host computer CPU (12), a first VGA graphics chip (14) associated with a first monitor (16), a second VGA graphics chip (18) associated with a second monitor (20) and a chip manager application running on the host computer CPU (12). The chips (14 and 18) are interconnected to the CPU (12) via PCI buses (24 and 26). The chip manager application manages access to shared computer system resources by the chips (14 and 18) so as to allow for multiple VGA-chip initialization and avoid conflicts. The invention thereby allows for use of multiple VGA devices in a PCI computer system.

Abstract: A desktop manager application (20) manages graphical object creation, repositioning, resizing and related object placement functions in the context of a multi-monitor or other enhanced desktop environment. In a preferred implementation, the program manager (20) manages multi-pass window creation by allowing a graphical user interface operating system (16) to fill in a window structure in a hidden form and thereafter analyzing the window's coordinates relative to selected display criteria such as avoiding monitor splits. Based on this analysis, the program manager (20) selectively repositions the window under consideration in accordance with the display criteria. The program manager (20) thus provides a more user friendly interface between a GUI operating system (16) and applications in the enhanced desktop environment.