Using the Display 45
NOTICE: You can damage an external monitor by using an unsupported refresh rate. Before adjusting the refresh
rate on an external monitor, see the user’s guide for the monitor.
Dual Independent Display Mode
You can attach an external monitor or projector to your computer and use it as an extension of your
display (known as "dual independent display" or "extended desktop" mode). This mode allows you to use
both screens independently and drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the
amount of viewable work space.
1
Connect the external monitor, TV, or projector to the computer.
2
Under
Pick a category
, click
Appearance and Themes
.
3
Under
Pick a task...
, click the area you want to change, or under
or pick a Control Panel icon
, click
Display
.
4
In the
Display Properties
window, click the
Settings
tab.
NOTE: If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust
automatically to the closest supported values. For more information, see your operating system documentation.
5
Click the monitor 2 icon, click the
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor
check box, and
then click
Apply
.
6
Change
Screen resolution
to the appropriate sizes for both displays and click
Apply
.
7
If prompted to restart the computer, click
Apply the new color setting without restarting
and click
OK
.
8
If prompted, click
OK
to resize your desktop.
9
If prompted, click
Yes
to keep the settings.
10
Click
OK
to close the
Display Properties
window.
To disable dual independent display mode:
1
Click the
Settings
tab in the
Display Properties
window.
2
Click the monitor 2 icon, uncheck the
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor
option, and
then click
Apply
.
If necessary, press <Fn><F8> to bring the screen image back to the computer display.
Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays
To swap your primary and secondary display designations (for example, to use your external monitor as
your primary display after docking):
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control Panel
.
2
Under
Pick a category
, click
Appearance and Themes
.