Some advice please

[leon]

Hi Guys, I was wondering if some kind person could assist me.

I have a Dell laptop which is only a few years old, and also a desk top with a recently purchased Dell monitor.
The question is this, am I able to connect the laptop to the desk top monitor, one at a time of coarse. :shrug:

Is there special leads required for this, your help would be much appreciated.

Thank You
Leon :thumbsup:

[jenchris]

easy - just plug in the monitor and right click anywhere on the screen. The output is then pointable to the monitor.
If the screen looks crap - summon up a compatible frame size...
1280x1024 for example or if wide angle, whatever you have

[supernova1965]

Hi Leon

Try this link I think it is what you are looking for

http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_connect_a_monitor_to_my_la ptop_and_have_it_work.html

[Dennis]

Hi Leon

My ASUS Laptop’s video card can support three modes. I can view stuff on the Laptop’s built in screen only, an external display only (such as a monitor or projector) or on both at the same time.

On my Laptop I use the 15 pin VGA connector on the side to connect the Laptop to the external display. The external display needs its own power from the display’s mains adapter as provided by the display manufacturer.

With everything powered off, I connect the external display to the Laptop via the 15 pin VGA connector and then power on the Laptop and external display.

On my ASUS Laptop I have to press some buttons (Fn + F8) to either view stuff on the built in display or view it on the external display. A more modern Laptop might automatically “sense” that an external display has been connected and switch to it automatically.

The correct Function Key (Fn) on your Laptop may have symbols showing an external display.

Some modern Laptops may use a DVI connector to connect the Laptop to the external display.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Dennis

[leon]

Many Thanks, I will have a play and see what happens, however I have noted that the connection on the back of the monitor has a different type of set-up, which has 18 pins and a horizontal one, like a minus sign, but the lappy has the VGA pin set-up.

Anyway around this, can one purchase an adapter of sorts.

Thanks again.

Leon

[supernova1965]

Is this the one you mean Leon very common should be no trouble to get hold of one. Here is one from Dick Smith

http://search.dicksmith.com.au/electronics/Dvi%20To%20Vga%20Adaptor

[leon]

Yep that is the one Warren, thank you, I will nick off to Dick Smith, tomorrow and pick one up, if they have them.

Thanks, Leon

[supernova1965]

No worries Leon

Just check because sometimes the DVI socket has four small pins around the minus sign looking on and sometimes it is not there you can get adapters for both.

[issdaol]

Hi Leon,

Based on what you have described:


Your laptop has a VGA monitor connector only
Your new Dell monitor has only a single DVI-D connector
Your laptop will not be able to output to the Monitor without an electronic Analog (Laptop) to Digital (Monitor) convertor.

If the Monitor is in fact a DVI-I or DVI-A connection then all you need is a VGA to DVI-I cable or a VGA to DVI-A cable.

You can tell the difference between DVI-I and DVI-D as the DVD-I has 4 smaller pins around the "minus sign" pin then the other 18 pins. The DVI-D connector just has the "minus sign" pin by itself with the other 18 pins.

If you post a little picture of your monitor connector and cable connect I can tell you definitavely what type it is.

Also some of the older models of Dell laptops needed you to start the laptop with the external monitor connected before otherwise they would not enable the output.

Cheers

[leon]

Thanks Phil, i will keep your advice in mind.

Leon

[issdaol]

Hi Leon,

No Problem. Another (perhaps quicker :)) way to tell before you spend your money on unwanted cables or adaptors is to check in the specification section of the monitor manual or on Dell's website.

The connection specification online or in the manual will say DVI-I or DVI-D.

If the monitor connection spec in either of these say DVI-D then you will need the electronic analogue to digital converter and cable.

If they say DVI-I you will only need the cable/adaptor and not the elctronic convertor.

Cheers

[jenchris]

A lot of monitors have the old 15 pin connecter as well
Have a good look - it'll save you messing about with DVI

[ballaratdragons]

Good website :P

[leon]

Good one Ken, :lol: yea mate I have seen that one, ;) you smarty pants.:lol: :lol:
Thank you to all of you, you have been very helpful.

Leon :thumbsup: