Setting up dual screen with laptop?

Question

I've plugged in a screen to my laptop, gone to the properties and set the desktop to extend to 2nd screen, but I can't get the 2nd screen to turn on at all. 

It just gets no signal.

There are no driver issues or anything out of the ordinary. I can even make the mouse disappear off to the right of screen.

I figured if the tick box to extend the desktop was there then it was supported. 

Any help would be appreciated and I can add more details if needed.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Certainly knowing model of laptop and screen would help.

First thought, does your monitor support more than one input? If so, have you selected the input for the cable from your laptop?

My work laptop supports standard monitor connection (VGA) but my monitor supports VGA and DVI. I have to ensure that the monitor is set to use the VGA signal.

My home laptop supports DVI so in that case the monitor has to be set to select DVI input.

There are controls on the front of the monitor that select the inputs (if that is the case).

Note: the laptop is making the second screen available because it can sense the cable. So, it appears the problem may be on the other end of the cable.

qaptainqwerty · Answer

You probably need to activate the use of the second monitor on the laptop keyboard.  On my work Dell Latitude D620, the key is Fn F8, where Fn is blue and F8 has CRT/LCD printed on it, also in blue.  I am sure other manufacturers label the function keys in a similar fashion.  Note that the Fn F8 combination toggles between the three modes of: laptop screen only; external monitor only; both laptop and external.

alejandra · Answer

look to the keyboard, on the F8 key, you will notice a blue CRT/LCD marking. I click this to open the option to support dual screen setup

Anonymous · Answer

Most laptops have a 'F' key to switch on this feature. look for the 'F' key with the square monitor pic.

Setting up dual screen with laptop?

4 Answers