Stupid monitor tricks? [modified]
-
As some of you know, the monitor on my laptop is AFU. Like most laptops, it has a VGA port for a second monitor. However, you have to go to your properties (i.e. right click desktop / properties, etc.) to extend Windows onto it. Since the primary display is toast, I can't see to do this on the laptop. Logged onto the machine from a desktop via Remote Desktop, but of course you can't access the laptop native display stuff from a RD session. Anyone know of the registry settings or other such hacks that I can use to force the Windows desktop onto the secondary monitor? Bonus points if you know how to also make it the primary display. In case you're wondering, I'm planning on yanking the monitor out, plugging in a touch screen monitor to the cpu / keyboard section, and mounting both in a wall for a quick & dirty touch screen wall interface. May as well get some use out of it, eh?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Servicesmodified on Friday, March 19, 2010 4:21 PM
Are you sure there isn't some function key combination that does this?
-
Are you sure there isn't some function key combination that does this?
I haven't been sure of anything since I was 21 years old. :) Is there?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
As some of you know, the monitor on my laptop is AFU. Like most laptops, it has a VGA port for a second monitor. However, you have to go to your properties (i.e. right click desktop / properties, etc.) to extend Windows onto it. Since the primary display is toast, I can't see to do this on the laptop. Logged onto the machine from a desktop via Remote Desktop, but of course you can't access the laptop native display stuff from a RD session. Anyone know of the registry settings or other such hacks that I can use to force the Windows desktop onto the secondary monitor? Bonus points if you know how to also make it the primary display. In case you're wondering, I'm planning on yanking the monitor out, plugging in a touch screen monitor to the cpu / keyboard section, and mounting both in a wall for a quick & dirty touch screen wall interface. May as well get some use out of it, eh?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Servicesmodified on Friday, March 19, 2010 4:21 PM
Create or download an application that emails you screenshots when they are taken (and maybe automatically takes them every few seconds). Remote into the computer and toss the app onto your laptop and start running it. Then, get to your screen (that you can't see) normally... use the emailed screenshots (which you will view on another computer) to position your mouse and navigate through menus so that you can eventually work with your second display.
-
I haven't been sure of anything since I was 21 years old. :) Is there?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesI think my laptop does that. Based on the images on the keys, looks like Function+F5. Look at your keys... see what story they tell (any show multiple monitors or anything like that?).
-
As some of you know, the monitor on my laptop is AFU. Like most laptops, it has a VGA port for a second monitor. However, you have to go to your properties (i.e. right click desktop / properties, etc.) to extend Windows onto it. Since the primary display is toast, I can't see to do this on the laptop. Logged onto the machine from a desktop via Remote Desktop, but of course you can't access the laptop native display stuff from a RD session. Anyone know of the registry settings or other such hacks that I can use to force the Windows desktop onto the secondary monitor? Bonus points if you know how to also make it the primary display. In case you're wondering, I'm planning on yanking the monitor out, plugging in a touch screen monitor to the cpu / keyboard section, and mounting both in a wall for a quick & dirty touch screen wall interface. May as well get some use out of it, eh?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Servicesmodified on Friday, March 19, 2010 4:21 PM
-
I haven't been sure of anything since I was 21 years old. :) Is there?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesChristopher Duncan wrote:
I haven't been sure of anything since I was 21 years old.
:)
Christopher Duncan wrote:
Is there?
Possibly, on my old Dell it was Fn+F5 (I think).
-
I think my laptop does that. Based on the images on the keys, looks like Function+F5. Look at your keys... see what story they tell (any show multiple monitors or anything like that?).
Yep, that lights up the secondary monitor. Thanks! However, everything launches on the primary monitor, so now I need to find a way to flip them. Seem to recall I couldn't do that before the monitor died, so I'm sure it's going to be a hack of some sort.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
As some of you know, the monitor on my laptop is AFU. Like most laptops, it has a VGA port for a second monitor. However, you have to go to your properties (i.e. right click desktop / properties, etc.) to extend Windows onto it. Since the primary display is toast, I can't see to do this on the laptop. Logged onto the machine from a desktop via Remote Desktop, but of course you can't access the laptop native display stuff from a RD session. Anyone know of the registry settings or other such hacks that I can use to force the Windows desktop onto the secondary monitor? Bonus points if you know how to also make it the primary display. In case you're wondering, I'm planning on yanking the monitor out, plugging in a touch screen monitor to the cpu / keyboard section, and mounting both in a wall for a quick & dirty touch screen wall interface. May as well get some use out of it, eh?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Servicesmodified on Friday, March 19, 2010 4:21 PM
There usually is a Fn/Fx key combination (Fn=Function Modifier Key, Fx=one of the 12 function keys). Fx is labeled with either two tiny monitors or some text such as "CRT/LCD". Dell chooses Fn/F8; IIRC Compaq once had a separate key for this functionality. And typically there are 4 modes, each Fn/Fx hit cycles one step: - internal monitor only - external only - both, different image (each with its own resolution) - both, same image (causing black bands as one adapts to the aspect ratio of the other) I expect all but the first mode to be disabled when no external monitor is connected. BTW: What you want is "external only"; and the order might be different. There is a way to do all this programmatically, but it is rather complex, involving P/Invokes to EnumDisplaySettings and ChangeDisplaySettings. Sorry, I don't have a ready-made app around for this. PS: if all else fails, you might consider Reading The Fantastic Manual... :)
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]
I only read code that is properly formatted, adding PRE tags is the easiest way to obtain that.
modified on Friday, March 19, 2010 3:59 PM
-
There usually is a Fn/Fx key combination (Fn=Function Modifier Key, Fx=one of the 12 function keys). Fx is labeled with either two tiny monitors or some text such as "CRT/LCD". Dell chooses Fn/F8; IIRC Compaq once had a separate key for this functionality. And typically there are 4 modes, each Fn/Fx hit cycles one step: - internal monitor only - external only - both, different image (each with its own resolution) - both, same image (causing black bands as one adapts to the aspect ratio of the other) I expect all but the first mode to be disabled when no external monitor is connected. BTW: What you want is "external only"; and the order might be different. There is a way to do all this programmatically, but it is rather complex, involving P/Invokes to EnumDisplaySettings and ChangeDisplaySettings. Sorry, I don't have a ready-made app around for this. PS: if all else fails, you might consider Reading The Fantastic Manual... :)
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]
I only read code that is properly formatted, adding PRE tags is the easiest way to obtain that.
modified on Friday, March 19, 2010 3:59 PM
Yeah, found the FM and it says it toggles between modes, but it doesn't appear to do anything. I think it requires long uninstalled and forgotten Acer utilities to function properly. Hmmm. May have to break out the compiler. Thanks!
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Yeah, found the FM and it says it toggles between modes, but it doesn't appear to do anything. I think it requires long uninstalled and forgotten Acer utilities to function properly. Hmmm. May have to break out the compiler. Thanks!
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesI've never seen a laptop that did not offer the functionality, right out of the box. It is how you use a projector for a meeting, they all support that. PS: Make sure to keep all settings constant, except for the ones you want to change; so do an EnumDisplaySettings to get them, change some, then call ChangeDisplaySettings. You probably want a bit in the DeviceFlags (for both displays!). I could offer some P/Invoke prototypes to get you started, however I cannot possibly paste it in the Lounge. :)
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]
I only read code that is properly formatted, adding PRE tags is the easiest way to obtain that.
-
I've never seen a laptop that did not offer the functionality, right out of the box. It is how you use a projector for a meeting, they all support that. PS: Make sure to keep all settings constant, except for the ones you want to change; so do an EnumDisplaySettings to get them, change some, then call ChangeDisplaySettings. You probably want a bit in the DeviceFlags (for both displays!). I could offer some P/Invoke prototypes to get you started, however I cannot possibly paste it in the Lounge. :)
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]
I only read code that is properly formatted, adding PRE tags is the easiest way to obtain that.
Actually, this thing shipped with Vista, which I stripped & put on XP. There were a number of crapware utilities, and I suspect that this functionality was a casualty. Oh, well. This was one of those things that would have been cool if it wasn't too much trouble, but at this point I may just stick it in the corner and let it live as a print server or something. I can always RD in to manage the box. Thanks for the help!
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
As some of you know, the monitor on my laptop is AFU. Like most laptops, it has a VGA port for a second monitor. However, you have to go to your properties (i.e. right click desktop / properties, etc.) to extend Windows onto it. Since the primary display is toast, I can't see to do this on the laptop. Logged onto the machine from a desktop via Remote Desktop, but of course you can't access the laptop native display stuff from a RD session. Anyone know of the registry settings or other such hacks that I can use to force the Windows desktop onto the secondary monitor? Bonus points if you know how to also make it the primary display. In case you're wondering, I'm planning on yanking the monitor out, plugging in a touch screen monitor to the cpu / keyboard section, and mounting both in a wall for a quick & dirty touch screen wall interface. May as well get some use out of it, eh?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Servicesmodified on Friday, March 19, 2010 4:21 PM
Have you tried using VNC instead of RD?
-
As some of you know, the monitor on my laptop is AFU. Like most laptops, it has a VGA port for a second monitor. However, you have to go to your properties (i.e. right click desktop / properties, etc.) to extend Windows onto it. Since the primary display is toast, I can't see to do this on the laptop. Logged onto the machine from a desktop via Remote Desktop, but of course you can't access the laptop native display stuff from a RD session. Anyone know of the registry settings or other such hacks that I can use to force the Windows desktop onto the secondary monitor? Bonus points if you know how to also make it the primary display. In case you're wondering, I'm planning on yanking the monitor out, plugging in a touch screen monitor to the cpu / keyboard section, and mounting both in a wall for a quick & dirty touch screen wall interface. May as well get some use out of it, eh?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Servicesmodified on Friday, March 19, 2010 4:21 PM
If you can get to a remote desktop, can you use that to install a "direct screen control" program (PCAnywhere, VNC etc), and use that to change the monitor config?
-
Have you tried using VNC instead of RD?
Reread the post. Remoting in works fine. What the OP would like to do is not have to remote in.
-
Have you tried using VNC instead of RD?
Or were you saying VNC can be used to change the monitor configuration (whereas you cannot do that with RD)?
-
Yep, that lights up the secondary monitor. Thanks! However, everything launches on the primary monitor, so now I need to find a way to flip them. Seem to recall I couldn't do that before the monitor died, so I'm sure it's going to be a hack of some sort.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesYou should be able to right-click on the secondary monitor, bring up the display properties, and reverse the monitors.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^] -
You should be able to right-click on the secondary monitor, bring up the display properties, and reverse the monitors.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^]I completely agree, I should be able to do that! Unfortunatlely, the properties dialog box opens on the primary monitor. Even were it otherwise, I recall from when it was working that the UI would not allow the reversal, or the use of the external as the primary, which I always thought was cheesy. I dunno, maybe it worked properly when it had Vista and the Acer crapware installed. I'm getting a vision of a rather high tech doorstop...
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Or were you saying VNC can be used to change the monitor configuration (whereas you cannot do that with RD)?
Yeah, this one is correct :)
-
Create or download an application that emails you screenshots when they are taken (and maybe automatically takes them every few seconds). Remote into the computer and toss the app onto your laptop and start running it. Then, get to your screen (that you can't see) normally... use the emailed screenshots (which you will view on another computer) to position your mouse and navigate through menus so that you can eventually work with your second display.
:doh: :)
WE ARE DYSLEXIC OF BORG. Refutance is systile. Your a$$ will be laminated. There are 10 kinds of people in the world: People who know binary and people who don't.
-
As some of you know, the monitor on my laptop is AFU. Like most laptops, it has a VGA port for a second monitor. However, you have to go to your properties (i.e. right click desktop / properties, etc.) to extend Windows onto it. Since the primary display is toast, I can't see to do this on the laptop. Logged onto the machine from a desktop via Remote Desktop, but of course you can't access the laptop native display stuff from a RD session. Anyone know of the registry settings or other such hacks that I can use to force the Windows desktop onto the secondary monitor? Bonus points if you know how to also make it the primary display. In case you're wondering, I'm planning on yanking the monitor out, plugging in a touch screen monitor to the cpu / keyboard section, and mounting both in a wall for a quick & dirty touch screen wall interface. May as well get some use out of it, eh?
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Servicesmodified on Friday, March 19, 2010 4:21 PM
Close the lid to see if it'll automatically display on the external monitor. If so, plug in a keyboard and mouse and continue on as normal.