Hey all!

I've just got a new 19inch monitor and have hooked it up to my laptop. It works like a champ and there is no way I can ever go back to a smaller screen now

At the moment, the screen on my laptop is black and I can only see things on the new monitor, but I want to be able to use both screens.

I have searched online and have found the same instructions everywhere, like this example: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/northrup_multimon.mspx

However when I open: Display: Settings,
I do not have a list of multiple monitors. Only the new monitor.

Is there another option?

I am running XP service pack 2.

THANKYOU!!!!!

Hi Casey,

Assuming your laptops graphics card isnt too old, this should help.

Ok you only need one graphics card for both monitors. You should plug your new monitor in using DVI (as this is digital, the other cable D-Sub is analog).

Are both monitors displaying your desktop? Or only one?

If its only one then you need to go into Display Properties, Settings, then youll see a picture of 2 monitors with one grayed out.

Click on the picture of the monitor that is grayed out and then check the box that says 'Extend my desktop onto this monitor'


Best Regards

Phillip

Hi Phillip,

Thanks for your help I really appreciate it!

I am using the 15-pin D-sub cable as my laptop does not have an outlet for the DVI-D cable.

Only the 'external' monitor is displaying anything.

I do not have a list or a picture of 2 monitors in my Display settings, only the 'external' monitor is listed.

I have gone through the Help and Support files on my laptop and it's no help as it is telling me to select the 2nd monitor and select 'extend my desktop', however I do not have this option.

Could all this stem from using the D-sub cable as opposed to the digital cable?



Ta muchly,
Casey

Hi Casey,

The analog cable should still work if you only have one video output from your laptop ports, so thats not the issue.

Have you tried to download the latest video drivers for the laptops video card model and configuring the advanced settings using that.

Or it could be something as simple as a faulty video cable connection, can you try another video cable?

If someone more tech minded doesnt help you first, try registering and posting on
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/

in the PC Hardware - Video section for an answer, you should get an answer there from one of the tech heads.

Best Regards,

Thanks for the link to http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/
they are very helpful in there.

It turns out however that my laptop does not support the option to extend my desktop, and it also doesn't have the option to use another video card so theres nothing to be done.

I'll just have to earn some more money and buy a new laptop


Thanks again,