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ckartson
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Strongsville, Ohio USA
Posts: 62

Configuring a Second Computer Monitor

03/08/2009 1:30 PM

I have purchased and installed a KVM switch (Flipswitch by Belkin) suggested by someone from CR4 (forgot who) in response to a question I asked about a month ago about how to use a second monitor on my laptop. My desktop monitor is much larger and easier to see. My question now is the second monitor has to have files dragged and dropped onto it from the primary monitor to the second monitor. My OS is windows xp home. Is there a way to setup the second monitor to look just like the primary monitor with all desktop icons start menu etc.
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dkwarner
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#1

Re: using second monitor

03/09/2009 12:28 AM

A monitor only displays the output from a computer. A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch only connects the output (and input, if the K and/or M parts are utilized) of that computer to one monitor or the other (and may or may not change keyboard/mouse, depending on how they are connected). If the resolutions of the monitors are different, either the higher resolution monitor will have unused, probably black, areas, or the lower resolution screen will not show the entire normal area. There is no such thing as 'dragging and dropping' between two monitors connected via KVM switch to the same video output, whether it be laptop or desktop.

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langyaw
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#2

Re: using second monitor

03/09/2009 1:54 AM

Hi,

To be able to display your laptop's screen on another monitor or projector, for that matter, you only need:

  1. The second monitor (obviously),
  2. An RGB cable (see pic below), which normally comes with your purchase of a projector. Otherwise, you can purchase that from any decent computer shop.
  3. Your laptop (of course).

Here's how you do it:

  1. You can start with the laptop turned off or on.
  2. Attach the power cable of your monitor and make sure it is turned on.
  3. Connect your laptop to the monitor with the RGB cable at the RGB port (see pic below). Turn laptop on if it was off at the start.
  4. The 2nd monitor should immediately be able to detect the input from the laptop. Otherwise,
  5. Hold down the function key <fn> and press <F4> or the display function key. Please note that this key can differ from laptop to laptop. The important thing to note is that it is represented by a "screen" icon (see pic below). This action will toggle the display from your laptop to the second monitor. Meaning, your laptop's screen will blank and the 2nd monitor will display the contents. If you do this the second time (<fn>+<F4>), both monitors will display the *same* content. The 3rd toggle will cause the 2nd monitor to go blank and restore all display to your laptop.

Attach one end of the RGB cable here, and the other to your 2nd monitor.

The display function key. Look for the screen icon in your laptop.

After this, your 2nd monitor will display exactly what appears in your laptop. It has become your slave monitor.

Dragging and dropping anything from either monitor cannot be done in this setup.

You will have to split the display between the 2 monitors (as in a composite display) for you to be able to do that. But that is another subject matter.

HTH!

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Yosemit3
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: using second monitor

03/09/2009 2:18 AM

you can usually plug in the monitor, as described,

then the laptop may ask you what you want to do.

If not, right click on a clear part of the laptop screen,

click on settings, and that tab will give you a bunch of options.

includes the choice of making either the primary.
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tobzn
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 54
#4

Re: using second monitor

03/09/2009 2:42 AM

Can we open the draging and droping topic now?

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langyaw
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#5
In reply to #4

Re: using second monitor

03/09/2009 3:02 AM

as I said, in the setup described, dragging and dropping between the 2 screens is not possible. If you wish to do that, start another thread with that question.

BTW, please modify your sig. You don't want to insult any one of that group's members here, would you?

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tooz
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Location: Mount Gambier, South Australia
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#6

Re: using second monitor

03/09/2009 6:06 AM

Hi,

It sounds like you might have it set set up to extend the desktop across two displays, which is how I run my notebook in the office. Go to display properties and then settings, and uncheck extend my windows desktop. If you are using an external keyboard, and dont need two monitors then maybe just close then notebook lid, it should just switch to it. If you want to run two monitors, but change the primary to the external monitor then just select the monitor and check the box for make this device my primary monitor.

Cheers.

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ckartson
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Strongsville, Ohio USA
Posts: 62
#7
In reply to #6

Re: using second monitor

03/10/2009 7:33 AM

Tooz,

Thanks, I did set this up as extended desktop, I was quite a pain, Langyaw's answer was very clear and actually everone's answers showed me what I did wrong. I will also try "just closing the notebook lid". I at times have a knack for compicating things
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ckartson (1); dkwarner (1); langyaw (2); tobzn (1); tooz (1); Yosemit3 (1)

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