Multiple Monintor - Page 2

SMHarman · 18-12-2004, 09:00

My laptop Dell 8600 cycles
laptop display > external display > both displays >

18-12-2004, 09:23

Can't experiment at the moment, as I don't have an external monitor at home. but on my Dell with dual-head capability, there is an option under Display Settings to select 'multiple monitor' or 'plug and play monitor'. I suspect that if you switch this to 'plug and play' monitor, it will then act as a 'normal' laptop, where you use a function key (FN/F8 on mine) to cycle between laptop, external and both. Does presumably depend what laptop and graphics adapter you have, though. I'll try it at work next week.

mrm1 · 18-12-2004, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by leggom

On my laptop and laptops I have used its usually FN and either F6 o F8 if I rememeber correctly and it shows it.

On my DELL 5160 you use Fn+F8 to enable the secon monitor when you are not extending your desktop.

LooeyUK · 18-12-2004, 20:06

Right, just looked on my laptop and quite right i do have a "FN" button and F3 is the button that should switch between the screens or do both but when i press them nothing happens. The 2nd monitor only shows the desktop wallpaper

Stuart · 18-12-2004, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by LooeyUK

Right, just looked on my laptop and quite right i do have a "FN" button and F3 is the button that should switch between the screens or do both but when i press them nothing happens. The 2nd monitor only shows the desktop wallpaper

Wierd. I just posted an answer and nothing came out..

Anyway, you may need to disable the "Extend my desktop to this monitor" option for the 2nd Graphics adaptor in Windows XP.

18-12-2004, 20:28

...or possibly switch off 'multiple monitor' as per post 17

Stuart · 18-12-2004, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnHorb

...or possibly switch off 'multiple monitor' as per post 17

Which is exactly what I said in the post above. However, by default, Windows doesn't offer a disable multiple monitors option.

LooeyUK · 18-12-2004, 21:10

When i disable this it turns off the 2nd monitor

Stuart · 18-12-2004, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by LooeyUK

When i disable this it turns off the 2nd monitor

Then you should be able to use the Fn + F3 key (or whatever it was) to re-enable the display and switch to it..

19-12-2004, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

Which is exactly what I said in the post above. However, by default, Windows doesn't offer a disable multiple monitors option.

To be exact, it is the video driver which gives the option, but it is in the control panel 'display' properties, so most users would see it as a 'Windows' facility.

Stuart · 19-12-2004, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnHorb

To be exact, it is the video driver which gives the option, but it is in the control panel 'display' properties, so most users would see it as a 'Windows' facility.

I do realise that. The extend desktop option IS offered by Windows on all Multiple Monitors systems though. Regardless of any options offered by the drivers.