Computer Laptop question

tdew · 12-17-2008, 07:39 AM

Hi,
I helped a friend set up a new laptop yesterday and all went well except that she wanted to use a larger monitor while at home and had purchased a nice flat screen for the purpose.

Well, I got it to the point that the big one was an extension of the built in screen and I could drag stuff across from one to the other, but I wonder if there's a setting in the laptop that would make the larger screen the only one showing - or to at least have both showing the same desktop?
I know I had one set that way a while ago - the 2nd screen was a duplicate of the built in one.

The system is XP Pro - the laptop is a Lenovo if that matters.
If I go into the control panel and select display, both show up, but if I click on the big screen, I can't see a way to make that one the primary.

I'm sure I'm missing something. Does anyone know what it is?

Ned · 12-17-2008, 08:09 AM

Generally, if you want to swap which monitor is primary, you have to stop extending the desktop to the other screen first, then uncheck primary on the other screen which will allow you to check the other screen as primary, then you can apply.

Before you do that, however, check out the advanced controls first. On the setup tab there should be an advanced button. Somewhere there it's possible there is a better way to accomplish what you're looking to do.

On my Dell laptop, in addition to the above, there is what the call a Quickset function, which is very helpful in screen setup and switching.

jfrenaye · 12-17-2008, 08:14 AM

Can't you just plug it into the port on the back of the laptop and hit F5? Usually cuts off the laptop screen and switches to the other video..be it another screen or a projector, smartboard, etc.

Ned · 12-17-2008, 08:22 AM

It's possible John, but many laptops don't use that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrenaye

Can't you just plug it into the port on the back of the laptop and hit F5? Usually cuts off the laptop screen and switches to the other video..be it another screen or a projector, smartboard, etc.

tdew · 12-17-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrenaye

Can't you just plug it into the port on the back of the laptop and hit F5? Usually cuts off the laptop screen and switches to the other video..be it another screen or a projector, smartboard, etc.

OOOH I hope so. That's the kind of thing I was looking for. We'll try it.
Otherwise I'll try more with the settings as Ned suggested. I'm not sure I'd unchecked one before trying to check the other.

Thanks. I'll report back, but probably won't get in there again until after Christmas.

jfrenaye · 12-17-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

It's possible John, but many laptops don't use that.

Never seen one that didn't!

But now that I am googling, it may be different keys on different brands. Try F8 and F10 as well

Ned · 12-17-2008, 04:45 PM

F8 won't work.

On my laptop it requires Fn/F8, plus "quick set" has to have been set to enable that keystroke combo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrenaye

Never seen one that didn't!

But now that I am googling, it may be different keys on different brands. Try F8 and F10 as well

12-17-2008, 07:39 AM	#1
tdew Senior Member Über Poster Member since: Apr 2005 Location: Bergen Co, NJ Posts: 4,265 Rep Power: 278	Computer Laptop question Hi, I helped a friend set up a new laptop yesterday and all went well except that she wanted to use a larger monitor while at home and had purchased a nice flat screen for the purpose. Well, I got it to the point that the big one was an extension of the built in screen and I could drag stuff across from one to the other, but I wonder if there's a setting in the laptop that would make the larger screen the only one showing - or to at least have both showing the same desktop? I know I had one set that way a while ago - the 2nd screen was a duplicate of the built in one. The system is XP Pro - the laptop is a Lenovo if that matters. If I go into the control panel and select display, both show up, but if I click on the big screen, I can't see a way to make that one the primary. I'm sure I'm missing something. Does anyone know what it is?

12-17-2008, 08:09 AM	#2
Ned Kishef macher Super Duper Über Poster Member since: Jul 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA USA Posts: 16,687 Rep Power: 449	Generally, if you want to swap which monitor is primary, you have to stop extending the desktop to the other screen first, then uncheck primary on the other screen which will allow you to check the other screen as primary, then you can apply. Before you do that, however, check out the advanced controls first. On the setup tab there should be an advanced button. Somewhere there it's possible there is a better way to accomplish what you're looking to do. On my Dell laptop, in addition to the above, there is what the call a Quickset function, which is very helpful in screen setup and switching. __________________ Ned [Visit my Travel Photography Blog, and Photography website NSL Photography]

12-17-2008, 08:14 AM	#3
jfrenaye Lanoisseforp Levart Super Duper Über Poster Member since: Feb 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD 21403 Age: 51 Posts: 12,001 Rep Power: 362	Can't you just plug it into the port on the back of the laptop and hit F5? Usually cuts off the laptop screen and switches to the other video..be it another screen or a projector, smartboard, etc. __________________ Find me on the TRO Forums or MLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix or Single Parent Travel or Eye On Annapolis or ClientBaseHelp.com or even on Twitter!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
computer question	susanliber	Anything goes	14	10-13-2008 10:30 AM
Computer Question	ozzy	Anything goes	9	06-12-2008 05:38 PM
The computer version of Ask a Stupid Question	stephen_s	Laugh-in	25	06-21-2007 09:55 AM
Ned--Acura/Computer Question	jfrenaye	Anything goes	9	03-12-2007 06:34 AM
Computer Geek Question	jfrenaye	Anything goes	3	12-21-2006 05:04 PM