Extend desktop& trick XP into think vnc is a second display?

[Plasbot]

I have this program at work that needs to run all the time. It's automated so it sits there flashing windows and dialogs popping up. It's VERY distracting. I asked if we could get a second display to serve as an extended desktop and I could push the app over there or just do my stuff on the extended, but they said we didn't have the space.
I've been looking into multi monitor software but nothing seems to be able to do what I want it to. I just want Windows to think it has a second display connected to it so I can push that app over into it and forget about it. I figured with VNC I could do a loopback or something if I ever have the need to do something with it. I don't need to do anything remotely all on the same pc.
Any ideas? It's driving me crazy!

[B]

I'm not sure I understand the problem -- can't you just move the program over to the very edge of the screen? What you're describing sounds like overkill.

If you don't trust your mousing skills, try my ancient treasured Alt-Space, M, arrowing trick to move the window.

[Plasbot]

It's being controlled by another application that runs in the background. Every time it refreshes a series of windows and save dialog boxes pop up in the middle of the screen. The other app tries to click on them as soon as they appear but I still see them flash up. Like I said very distracting.

[B]

That's kind of crazy. Are you sure a second (real) monitor would even work? If it never remembers its last position I wonder how you'd get it to stay.

What about running the thing in a virtual machine?

I can't see how someone could expect you to do other work with that kind of screen activity. It sounds like some of the really invasive "Free PC" schemes that were reliant on taking up half your screen with advertising. Well, actually, what you describe sounds worse.

[Plasbot]

Yeah virtual pc came to mind but I was hoping there was something simpler. It's not a free pc app it's an app that makes some legacy software work with the 'new' system which is actually more difficult to automate because they went 'all gui'. Which is code for "it's shiny and new but it's going to break all your old stuff but that's ok we'll charge you an arm and a leg for our branded solution"
And so it is in healthcare. I'm rambling sorry. I'll try the virtual route. Thanks!!

[B]

Hmm, since it's probably just a script you could try, with your boss's permission, to tweak it yourself. Or, you know, have the people you PAID for the damn thing make it work acceptably.

Good luck.

[supercoe]

Could you just create another user account and have the app run on one while you switch user to use the other?

[Plasbot]

That's a great idea actually but alas IT has disabled user-switching on our workstations.
After googling a lot I found out about 'X-displays'? that programmers use to test their java scripts in, but it was only for Linux I couldn't find anything for XP.

[supercoe]

Plasbot,

At this point in time I think you should speak with management about the distraction issue and how it effects your work.
I would ask them for a different machine while explaining the loss of productivity.

[B]

supercoe is dead-on. They really can't keep inflicting this kind of assault on your eyes and expect you to work. Talk to them, and show them.

There are plenty of X-Windows environments for Windows (I guess even the Windows port of KDE would qualify), but they run X-Windows applications, not MS-Windows applications! Very different.

[Emlekbazis]

You might have a look at this:

http://www.zoneos.com/zonescreen.htm

You can add a second, a virtual monitor and you can only see it via vnc.