Is it Possible to have two screens on the one lappy

[leon]

Hi Guys,

At present I use my lappy in the observatory for guiding, image downloads etc.
What Im interested in doing is to have another screen of the guiding procedure some distance from the main lappy.

Is it possible to have two screens with the same visual on the one computer, say one in the observatory, and one in the room where i go whilst the set-up is doing its thing outside.

If this is possible could someone please tell me how to go about it.

Thank You.

Leon

[middy]

If your laptop has a VGA style socket on the back for plugging a monitor into then the answer is likely to be yes. If it does and you plug a monitor into it then you need to look at the function keys at the top. There will probably be some blue symbols on these keys also, for adjusting the brightness and various other functions. Look for the one that has what looks like a monitor on it. Now press and hold the key labelled 'Fn' along the bottom of the keyboard and press that function key with the monitor symbol on it. This should toggle the displays between three modes:

Laptop screen only -> computer monitor only -> both laptop screen and monitor.

cheers,
Andrew

[skwinty (Steve)]

Hi Leon
If you lappy has the plug at the back as described by Middy, then you would also have to go to the control panel, display settings and ensure that you set desktop on both monitors other wise you only see video output on the second monitor.
ie when you play video through media player etc.

[leon]

Thank you guys, this is a good start, I will try to work on your suggestions tomorrow, after I have a good look at the connections on the Lappy.

Leon

[gman (Grant)]

Leon,
I just plug the screen in as already mentioned.
Right click on the screen.
Go into properties
Click on the settings tab an enable the second screen and adjust settings accordingly.
Once you have used 2 screens, you will never go back

[citivolus (Ric)]

My current laptop has the option of replicating the main display on the VGA out, or using it as a second display. Of course you are going go be limited to the distance that you can get with a standard VGA cable.

The other option that will get you more distance is a VNC or terminal server setup, but of course that requires a second PC.

[programmer]

If distance is an issue, you can get a wireless or wired VGA/video transmitter/extender.

[leon]

Thanks guys, with all your suggestions I can see it happening, very soon

Leon