i have an old laptop that is barly running XP Pro and was wanting to hook up a keyboard, mouse, and monitor so i can use the Microsoft office that is on it for school work i have got the mouse and keyboard working... and i have a switcher something that lets use two computers on one screen.... thanks for yorur help 10 points to the best answer.
2006-12-29 06:08:04 · 5 answers · asked by Techman2 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
and i have found the VGA port but can't get it to work
2006-12-29 06:13:06 · update #1
If the laptop has a built in VGA port (monitor connector) there is most lilely a key combination. For IBM Thinkpads it is Fn + F7. Every manufacturer uses a different key combination and without knowing what make and model of laptop you have I can't give you a definite answer.
2006-12-29 06:11:06 · answer #1 · answered by Shawn H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey Dude,
Most laptops have the VGA port in the back. You need to plug in your monitor to it.
Now, the really simple part. On laptops, you have an extra key called a "Function" key. It is probably labeled "FN" and is blue. This "FN" key will make all of the other blue keys work.
Most of the time you need to make the VGA port work. There are 3 modes to switch between.
1. LCD only.
2. LCD AND monitor.
3. Monitor only.
Using the FN key, look for an "F key that has something that looks like two monitor screens. On my dell it is the F8 key. Hold the FN key and press the F8 key. WAIT a few second.
By pressing the FN and F8 key, you will toggle between the 3 different modes. Each time you do it, you will go to the next and then circle through all of them.
My IBM it is the F5 key.
Tom
2006-12-29 14:13:24 · answer #2 · answered by Cafetom 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All of the advice given here is apt, however, there is a different way to change the output.
I have a feeling that the Fn button method IBM uses is unique to them, as I've never seen anything like that. (Though it could really come in handy.) You can go to Control Panel -> Appearances -> Display -> Settings. You should see two boxes with numbers in them. These represent your screens. Click identify to confirm that you know which screen is the laptop.
From there, you can choose from the top drop down menu which output you want. It should ask for multiple monitors, or, if you want one, monitor 2. My computer seems to be set up to do both automatically, but it is possible that yours isn't.
Hope this helps!
2006-12-29 14:19:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The keyboard and mouse can be hooked up through the USB. The monitor can be plugged in through one of the jacks on the side or back of your laptop. All laptops have external monitor ports, you just need to find them.
2006-12-29 14:10:13 · answer #4 · answered by rvtvtech 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at your Display control panel. You may need to go to the last tab and hit Advanced. There should be a tab to activate an external monitor.
2006-12-29 14:19:12 · answer #5 · answered by romulusnr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋