Activating an extra monitor in XP

[MikeRooke]

I'm running XP Home on a Dell Inspiron 9400 Laptop. I'm trying to allow
myself to install a secondary monitor. All the documentation says that by
going into Display Properties there should be a Secondary Monitor Icon where
I can "extend my Win Desktop onto the monitor". My dialogue box gives me
seperate Appearance and Themes Tabs, and no Secondary Monitor icon. This
means I can't activate my new monitor or load the drivers. Have I missed
something obvious or has XP moved on and left me behind? I would really
appreciate some help with this.

 

[db.·.. >]

it should be as easy
as plug n play.

perhaps you should
re ask your question
here:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/

 

[MikeRooke]

db
Thanks for replying, and its a good idea actually. I'm sure they would have
talked me through it. However, I've now moved the problem on myself and
seemed to have solved it now.

After finally working out how to play with the Monitor Icons (didn't
recognise them as that in the dialogue box) I moved their position by drag n
drop, and then spotted the "Extend my Desktop..." checkbox. Applied this
option, etc. and Restarted. Still could not make progress so changed the
DVI-D cable for the D-Sub cable and started again. Went through the process
from Restart and got a screen response from the new monitor. With a bit more
confidence I selected Monitor 2 in the Display Properties - Settings window,
selected the Plug and Play Monitor from the list, clicked on the Driver -
Update Driver buttons and the Wizard found (at last) my CD-ROM and updated
with the Analogue Driver, and wrote a description of it in the properties of
Monitor 2. After closing all windows, I got a basic 1440 x 900 res desktop
image on the new monitor on to which I could move my mouse icon (= extended
desktop). To cut the story short,after a bit more trial and error, I then
made the new monitor the Default (scary moment), and then finally, had to
reset the Power Options to "Close my laptop lid and Do Nothing). Closing the
lid then gives me my fully configured Desktop on the new monitor!

All I need to do now is reconnect with the DVI-D cable and see if, with this
new found knowledge and confidence I can install the Digital Driver for
optimum video quality at 1920 x 1200 res.

Thanks again for your reply - didn't expect any response on such a mundane
query.

Best Regards - Mike

 

[db.·.. >]

yw.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

db
Thanks for replying, and its a good idea actually. I'm sure they would have
talked me through it. However, I've now moved the problem on myself and
seemed to have solved it now.

After finally working out how to play with the Monitor Icons (didn't
recognise them as that in the dialogue box) I moved their position by drag n
drop, and then spotted the "Extend my Desktop..." checkbox. Applied this
option, etc. and Restarted. Still could not make progress so changed the
DVI-D cable for the D-Sub cable and started again. Went through the process
from Restart and got a screen response from the new monitor. With a bit more
confidence I selected Monitor 2 in the Display Properties - Settings window,
selected the Plug and Play Monitor from the list, clicked on the Driver -
Update Driver buttons and the Wizard found (at last) my CD-ROM and updated
with the Analogue Driver, and wrote a description of it in the properties of
Monitor 2. After closing all windows, I got a basic 1440 x 900 res desktop
image on the new monitor on to which I could move my mouse icon (= extended
desktop). To cut the story short,after a bit more trial and error, I then
made the new monitor the Default (scary moment), and then finally, had to
reset the Power Options to "Close my laptop lid and Do Nothing). Closing the
lid then gives me my fully configured Desktop on the new monitor!

All I need to do now is reconnect with the DVI-D cable and see if, with this
new found knowledge and confidence I can install the Digital Driver for
optimum video quality at 1920 x 1200 res.

Thanks again for your reply - didn't expect any response on such a mundane
query.

Best Regards - Mike