Dell laptop won't do duel display

by obewan7781 Jul 9, 2009 11:56PM PDT

I am having problems getting my laptop to simultaneously display on a 32" LCD HDTV and the laptop screen using S-video out.

It is a Dell Inspiron 1100 Laptop with Windows XP Professional, SP3 I think. It has an Intel R 82845 G/GL/GE/PE/GV graphics controller.

I want to connect my laptop in the office to the TV in the living room with a 50' S-video cable to watch web tv.

I do not have an icon in display properties for a second monitor or dual monitor set-up. I can only set it to CRT or LCD, which means it is one or the other but not both at the same time.
If I set it to CRT in my office and save properties, the laptop screen goes black and the display switches to the living room which I can then not see to work the mouse with.

I am supposed to be able to toggle using CNTRL+F8, or FN+F8 but it won't toggle. I also tried ALT+F8 and CNTRL+ALT+F8. I have the bios set to display on one or both screens either or, but the op sys does not seem to agree with the bios. Supposedly, 3 toggles of F8 will set to display on both screens at the same time? yada yadda? Am I missing drivers or do I have the wrong video card? This is too complicated for a simple task.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -

At 50' that could be it.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 11, 2009 3:42AM PDT

The output only enables when it sees "a load." Or http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=composite+Mixer+50+ohm+load&aq=f&oq=&aqi= finds that special equipment when we go long distances.

That's just the first of many hurdles.

- Collapse -

Dual display does not work

by obewan7781 Jul 11, 2009 12:21PM PDT

I am not sure about length being a problem, but I tried with a 3' cable directly in front of the 32" LCD and it still wont toggle.

I will display on the big monitor only if I manually pick CRT in XP advanced properties for display config. I can pick laptop or CRT for display and it has to be saved in order for it to switch. It may not be possible to do two displays at once with my hardware. That is what I am trying to find out. I don't think it is as easy as plugging a cord and toggling F8 unfortunately.

- Collapse -

You're right.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 11, 2009 12:54PM PDT

There are many hurdles.

Such as choosing the clone or extend my windows selection and to make matters more fun there is no standard here. But can you supply a link to the documentation?

- Collapse -

Multiple monitor config procedure

by obewan7781 Jul 12, 2009 2:55AM PDT

The only documentation I found was at the Windows XP support site. It is vague and implies it can be done with any system. I know there are differences depending on the drivers or video cards based upon what others are saying at other help sites. I have been unable to find specifics for my Dell 1100. However, it does not do what Microsooft says it is supposed to when a new monitor is connected. Maybe that is because it is a TV rather than a monitor and I am using S-video. Even though it is not a CRT (it is LCD), the icon for CRT will activate it and display though. It just won't toggle. They mention the toggle using FN keys and and say it is manufacturer dependent.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/16152337-a45c-4a1a-b302-cfd95399ce071033.mspx#EHG

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/c90105a0-57c1-4f0e-b095-b5ed1de8fc431033.mspx

- Collapse -

So which mode are you trying?

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 12, 2009 3:41AM PDT

Clone or Extend My Desktop?

I'd do the Extend my desktop and on the #2 display set it to 640x480 to be sure we are using some video mode that has a hope of working.

- Collapse -

CLONE MODE & EXTEND DESKTOP

by obewan7781 Jul 12, 2009 6:09AM PDT

I can't get either mode to work. I don't even have those options to pick from. I don't want extend my desktop though. I don't have the second monitor either. It just has laptop or crt to pick from. I can not designate them as primary and secondary as Microsoft claims.

- Collapse -

I'm beginning to suspect

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 12, 2009 11:37AM PDT

You are right. XP Pro is not the usual OS Dell installs. Installing Windows is nothing short of a shell game at times.

If you are not using the Dell installed OS and drivers CD I bet you need to go over those again.

I looked at this discussion again and no link to the Dell documentation for your machine.
Bob

- Collapse -

duel display and fn+f8

by obewan7781 Jul 12, 2009 10:57PM PDT

The documentation at the Dell website says that the only way to switch for an external TV is in XP properties. It will not toggle if connected to a TV. It also says that f8 toggle is disabled for streaming video which is what I want to do with it.

I should have checked the Dell instructions first before spending $35 on a 50' s-video cord that I now have no use for.

The only way out now is to use a 50' DSL cable and locate the laptop in front of the TV.

Thanks anyway, it pays to read the directions first before $$$. LOL

- Collapse -

AHH BUT WE HAVE A POSSIBLE FIX.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 12, 2009 11:37PM PDT

For the streaming content.

Read http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html#projecter

This works in most cases, especially when the clone mode is used.
Bob

- Collapse -

Dell F8 toggle problem for secondary moniotr

by wgolsenjr Mar 23, 2013 2:24AM PDT

Try Fn + F1 -or- on aux keyboard without Fn -- Win Key + p -- both work the same way F8 used to work. Bill Olsen

Dell laptop won't do duel display

CNET Forums

Other Forums

Forum Info