Viewing the same desktop on multiple monitors

[Guest]

I recently was trying to help my boss use his laptop for a presentation- We
connected his Dell Inspiron 2650, with Windows XP Home to the projector.
And, instead of the desktop just appearing on both screens (as I usually see)
it was as though the desktop only extended onto both screens at once. For
example, if I dragged the mouse to the edges of the laptop screen, it would
eventually appear on the projection screen. I could also drag windows across
the two monitors. However, what we really wanted to accomplish was just
having the desktop projected onto both monitors. (i.e. Having all the icons,
the start bar, etc. show up on both monitors.) How do we go about this? I
Have tried resizing and changing some other settings, but nothing has worked
so far.

 

[bxf]

I don't know the Dell 2650, but typically, your graphics software would
enable you to configure your monitors to run in EXTENDED mode or CLONE
mode, or just any one of the two monitors. You should be able to access
the appropriate software by right-clicking on the desktop > Properties

Settings > Advanced, and there should be a tab for reaching the software. After that it varies from card to card, but the instructions should not be difficult to follow.

It should be possible to accomplish this through Windows, though I've
seen some situations where this was less than perfect. Nevertheless,
you can try if you must. If you follow the instructions above, when you
are in Settings you will see some options that should enable you to do
what you want using Windows control.

 

[Guest]

I have tried using the settings on the graphics software, but there is no
option for anything but extending it. Even through Windows itself, there
only seem to be options to extend. I can't even change the primary monitor
to an external monitor rather than the laptop. Any other ideas, or is it
just impossible with this software/hardware configuration to have put it on a
clone mode?

 

[Richard in AZ]

Have you tried the "function" key. On my Dell Laptop, holding the "Fn" key
and taping the F8 key cycles me through the monitor options (built-in only,
external only, external & laptop, none). I have to do this each time I hook
up to a projector. The Fn key in the lower left corner of the keyboard. On
the F8 key there is a small blue text "CRT/LCD" that identifies that feature
is change in conjunction with the Fn key.

 

[bxf]

I have tried using the settings on the graphics software, but there is no
option for anything but extending it. Even through Windows itself, there
only seem to be options to extend. I can't even change the primary monitor
to an external monitor rather than the laptop. Any other ideas, or is it
just impossible with this software/hardware configuration to have put it on a
clone mode?

It IS possible that your graphics hardware does not support CLONE mode.
You can always try to obtain information about your particular card. If
it is supposed to be supported, then perhaps a driver update is in
order.

Do try Richard's Fn key suggestion. Usually this key will cycle through
the various monitor options, switching modes as you press.

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone so much!
Richard's Fn key suggestion did work. Too bad I didn't know about this
earlier, but oh well!
Thanks again!