Connecting a screen to a laptop

strongmanmike (Michael) · #1 29-03-2007, 04:09 PM

I have a Samsung SyncMaster 204B flat screen monitor and I would like to be able to use my laptop with it for faster image processing. My Laptop is a PM1.7ghz while the tower usually connected to the 204B screen is only a PIII 800mhz.

When I plug the 204B screen into my laptop using the analogue cable I use with the tower and turn on the laptop I am having trouble getting it recognised as the screen I want to use. I have played in Control Panel > Display of XP and I can get it recognised as a second screen but the laptop screen is still the main screen and the 204B will only show the screen saver. The mouse will move from the laptop screen to the 204B but I can't get any software to be seen running on the 204B monitor..?

For image processing I just want to be able to use the 204B screen with the laptop as the CPU and keyboard only.

It's probably obvious... but any pointers..?

Cheers heaps

Mike

sheeny (Al) · #2 29-03-2007, 04:44 PM

Mike,

Most lappy's support an external screen by pressing a function key. I think on mine it is F5, and it toggles through the options:
1. Laptop screen
2. external screen (with laptop screen off)
3 Both laptop and external screen show the same thing (used for data projectors, etc)

I think you might be playing around with the multiple monitors feature in windows, which allows you to use two screens simultaneously to increase the size of your desktop. If I'm right, you should be able to drag a window from your laptop screen onto the external screen with your mouse...

Warning! Be careful with this feature, I played around with it in K3ccdtools, and I think I might have dragged the drift explorer onto screen 2 but forgot to drag it back. Later when running on just the lappy screen again, I couldn't access the drift explorer cause it was on a part of the desktop I couldn't see... I ended up reinstalling K3 in desperation. It wasn't till later that I twigged to what I'd done!

Al.

snowyskiesau · #3 29-03-2007, 04:50 PM

With my laptop (IBM Thinkpad). I right click on the desktop and select Properties.
In there , I can select the Settings tab to get at the dual screen.
There is an advanced button that brings up the options supported by the graphics controller (in my case an ATI adaptor). This allows me to select either the laptop or the external display as the active device.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #4 29-03-2007, 11:54 PM

Al

No toggle option it appears..?

While there is a function key (No4) with a picture of a laptop and normal monitor on it, it doesn't seem to do anything

You are right though, I can drag a window across to the large screen and yep you must drag it back or at least you must drag back the initial main window of the software or it will remain on the connected screen and won't appear on the laptop screen in subsequent openings of the same software

. For some reason when a window is dragged across the colours are slightly different though, they are more orange compared to the laptop screen or when opening the same software on the big screen with the tower reconected? Also the dragged window is not quite as sharp..?

Snowy

I found what you mentioned but when I selected the big screen as the active device the laptop screen just imedeately changed to very low res and everything went out of scale (like safe mode?) and the big screen still didn't seem to be the mian screen..?

Not sure what the go is.

thanks all the same boys

Mike

rmcpb (Rob) · #5 30-03-2007, 08:39 AM

Sounds like you have set the second screen up as an extension to the lappy screen which is OK but remember to drag everything back off it before shutting down or it will be in limbo if you start up without a second screen.

If you only want to use the lappy as the "box" and keyboard and use the second screen as the "main" screen try connecting it before booting the machine then hold the FN key down and press F5. This allows you to change from lappy screen to external screen only or both screens showing the same stuff.

Good luck.

Gama · #6 30-03-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Al

No toggle option it appears..?

While there is a function key (No4) with a picture of a laptop and normal monitor on it, it doesn't seem to do anything

Mike, there should be a special key that either Says "Fn" or something similar, and it should be in the same color as the image of the screens on F4 key, plus other keys on the keyboard as well. You need to press and hold this key down before pressing the other keys (Like the shift key action). Normally the function key is to the lower left of the notebook keyboards. Your MUST have it too. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to switch so be a little patient.

Theo

strongmanmike (Michael) · #7 31-03-2007, 07:23 AM

Hi Theo

Yes there is a Fn key and I tried that but it didn't work

It's a bit annoying really

Cheers

Mike

Dennis · #8 31-03-2007, 12:03 PM

Hi Mike

It’s not clear from the above posts, so just in case....to activate my "external monitor F5 key" I need to press and hold the blue Fn button whilst toggling the F5 button.

Cheers

Dennis

strongmanmike (Michael) · #9 31-03-2007, 05:28 PM

Yeh thanks, I've tried that - nothing..?

Cheers

Mike

h0ughy (David) · #10 31-03-2007, 08:43 PM

do I have to come up there and fix it?

DobDobDob (Ron) · #11 31-03-2007, 09:05 PM

Do the right thing, jump on your bike and fix it for him, you're only a stones throw away from him

strongmanmike (Michael) · #12 31-03-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

do I have to come up there and fix it?

Oooo! that'd be nice!

or I could bring the lappie & screen to you..?

Perhaps we would have to have some beer too?

0401 781 673

Mike

Gama · #13 01-04-2007, 03:30 AM

Possibly the resolution or refresh may be too high. Try changing your resolution to 1024x768 first, then try the Fn key thingo...

strongmanmike (Michael) · #14 01-04-2007, 04:47 PM

All fixed!

Dave Hough came over and after a few mouse clicks all works ok!

It was a setting in the little screen icon in the bar menu bottom right of screen

Thanks Dave I owe you a polar alignmnet lesson at SPSP

Should'a got you to setup my email on the laptop though. I am having trouble changing it from the previous broadband settings to my dial up....

Mike
An artist not a techo

sheeny (Al) · #15 01-04-2007, 05:07 PM

Glad it's sorted Mike!
...and good on ya, Dave!

Al.

DobDobDob (Ron) · #16 01-04-2007, 05:17 PM

and perhaps a little commish for good old Tailwag for putting you two together....

Dennis · #17 01-04-2007, 07:06 PM

Ahh, the remarkable spirit of the IIS community - good to see it in action.

Well done the H0ugh.

Cheers

Dennis