how to i hook up a flatscreen monitor to my acer laptop?

Use the cable provided with the monitor and connect it to the little blue trapeziod-shaped port on the side/back (usually blue in color). This is the VGA port. If your laptop does not have one of these, you may not be able to do it unless you can find some kind of docking station/PC Card that has one of these on it. After connecting the cable to the VGA port, power on the laptop, and use the FN key in conjunction with the key with the pic of a monitor on it (usually an "F" key). After doing this, you will need to get into the display properties and choose how you want the second monitor to function. Right click on the desktop, then click on "properties". The display tab will be in there. If none of this works, your VGA port could be bad, or needs to be configured in the BIOS. This is accessed at bootup, by pressing an "F" key right after powering on the computer, during the "splash" screen that comes up. Good luck!

Choices

Vga - Vga blue very common cable that both your laptop and monitor should have connections for

you can get the cable on ebay if you don't already have one

HDMI - HDMI Hi-definition cable only used by top spec laptops and monitors. Its more expensive

but i would recommend it you like graphics

you would use your flat screen montior cable - attached one end to the monitor - one to the input on the side or back of the laptop. then using the function key and usually 7 key (but look for the lcd icon on the numbers key)... when you press that and func. it will allow for your laptop data to be displayed on the flat screen.. Good luck.