Display Duel Monitors

[Another Brian]

I have a Dell laptop that I use with a projector. Yesterday preparing
for a presentation I did something that made the projector display
monitor 2 and the laptop screen to show monitor 1. I wanted both to
show monitor 1. I know that I use Fn+F8 to toggle the display mode
between screen, projector, or both. If I displayed just on the
projector or just on the screen, it showed monitor 1. When I go into
Display Properties, Settings tab, it shows both monitor 1 and 2 as the
same size. On other laptops it shows a large monitor 1 and a small
monitor 2 and when I hover over monitor 2 it shows as not active. On
the laptop yesterday, it was active. How do I disable the second
monitor so that the projector or external monitor attached to the VGA
port always shows the same as the laptop display?

Thank you
Brian

 

[Poprivet]

I have a Dell laptop that I use with a projector. Yesterday preparing
for a presentation I did something that made the projector display
monitor 2 and the laptop screen to show monitor 1. I wanted both to
show monitor 1. I know that I use Fn+F8 to toggle the display mode
between screen, projector, or both. If I displayed just on the
projector or just on the screen, it showed monitor 1. When I go into
Display Properties, Settings tab, it shows both monitor 1 and 2 as the
same size. On other laptops it shows a large monitor 1 and a small
monitor 2 and when I hover over monitor 2 it shows as not active. On
the laptop yesterday, it was active. How do I disable the second
monitor so that the projector or external monitor attached to the VGA
port always shows the same as the laptop display?

Thank you
Brian

It sounds like it got set to Clone mode. YOu'll have to go into your video
card properties, probably Advanced settings somewhere, since you neglected
to give any useful information, and set it to the proper mode.

Sorry, that's all I can say based on such limited input.

HTH
Pop`

 

[Another Brian]

It sounds like it got set to Clone mode. YOu'll have to go into
your video card properties, probably Advanced settings somewhere,
since you neglected to give any useful information, and set it to
the proper mode.

Sorry, that's all I can say based on such limited input.

HTH
Pop`

Pop. Your answer also "neglected to give any useful information." I
gave as much information as I had available (the laptop being in a
building 5 miles away), not knowing what else might be needed. What is
"Clone mode?"

Here is what I've learned today:

The laptop has ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 video. My problem is caused
while displaying to both the screen and the projector. Then, going
into Display Properties, Settings and Attaching the second display
causes Display 2 to go to the projector and the normal desktop to
display on the laptop screen. Unattaching does not restore the
display. I have to disconnect the projector and reboot the laptop.
Then the display is correct.

M$ provided this link with some suggestions.

307873 How To Configure and Use Multiple Monitors in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307873

I'll be looking through them over the next day or two. If I've
provided enough useful information for anyone to give me any other
suggestions, I'd be greatful.

Thank you
Brian

 

[LVTravel]

See if this helps:

Right click on empty area of your desktop. Left click on properties. Make
sure that "Use this device as my ...." is set to Monitor 1 and also that
"Extend my Windows desktop..." is not checked.

 

[bxb7668]

Thank you for the suggestion. Checking the "Extend my Windows desktop"
is what starts the problem and unchecking it does not fix the problem,
though, logically, it should. "Use this device" is grayed out.

Brian

 

[LVTravel]

I have had this problem before as you described it. You must have the
"second device" attached (and turned on) when doing the steps I suggested.
ATI graphic drivers can be really picky when you attempt to change the
settings. Had one that I had to "reset" about 10 times before it finally
"took" after unplugging the second device without switching off the extend
desktop setting first. This also entailed shutting off the machine and
doing a cold boot a few times with and without the second device attached
and turned on.