In windows enviroment, check settings of video see if you can have options: extending, enable external monitor, etc.
Can you check what type video you have in system? ATI, nVidia, etc.
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Acer Aspire laptop - can't toggle display to external monitor
I have an Acer Aspire 3502 laptop running Windows XP Home. I have it hooked up to an LCD monitor, on which I need to display a Windows Media file. When the laptop boots, I see the Windows screen on the monitor and everything looks like it's going to be fine. When the sign-in screen appears, the display toggles back to the laptop. After that, I can't get it to toggle back to the LCD monitor. You're supposed to hit Fn+F5, but nothing happens.
The resolution, 800x600 at 60Hz refresh, is a supported resolution of the monitor (although I don't know how to check "vertical frequency" on the laptop to ensure that's supported too).
I've only tried the external display feature once before, with a projector, and had the exact same result... But it seems if the startup screens can display, it must be possible somehow.
I need to show this file tomorrow morning. Please help!
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Answers
OK, under Display Properties/Settings/Advanc
So that's a good start - but now if I try to run the Windows Media presentation full screen, WMP crashes. It just says it needs to close and sends an error report and that it. I'm wondering if it's using too many resources displaying on two monitors - or simply being configured this way. It still seems like something's not right. I should be able to toggle between monitors with the hot keys and run programs normally.
Can you suggest next steps for troubleshooting the toggle and/or WMP issues?
I just installed WMP 11 (although I can't find info on the exact version?); the same problem existed in both WMP 10 and 11. I hadn't changed any of the settings since installing, but under Performance "Restore Defaults" was available. When I clicked it, suddenly I can run WMP full screen. So we're getting closer!
The playback is full screen now, but jumpy, and I can't help but think that it would be smoother if it were only being displayed on one monitor at a time. If I could get this thing to toggle, the whole problem might be solved. Any other ideas?
Thanks so much for your help!
WMP is OK now. I just can't toggle the screen with the hot keys. The only way to control what's happening on screen is to have it running on BOTH the laptop and external monitor, which I suspect is slowing performance.
If you have any ideas about toggling, let me know. Otherwise I'll close out and assign the points. I appreciate your help - you got me looking in the right places, so that I was able to show the presentation as needed. Thanks!
I googled up and reading multiple of pages but nothing useful how-to toggle in SiS Manager. Interesting! I wish there are other experts joining this thread and shed a light for you (also for me too :o)
Guess what, there is none of computers around here (my places) that has SiS ... so I can dig up more information for you. I know in this section of EE: Calandor, Garycase, Sparkmaker, else. who are very good ... You might put a pointer question to get their attention though.
Good Luck.
Sorry to be late to the party. On you Acer there should be software installed by Acer. Has this been removed? Acer's Emanagement software is what controls the toggling of screen. If this software is removed, the unit could and usually does lose the ability to switch via HotKeys. One way to verify this would be to power down the unit and plug the monitor in and power back on. If the external monitor displays then external connections is fine. You have a software issue. If you get no display, possible issue can be 2 things. When a display is plugged into a "computer", laptop or otherwise, There is a signaling pin that tells the pc, a monitor is hooked up. If the monitor and or computer have a weak signal component then the switching will never happen since the PC never see's the monitor to display too. I suggest trying a different display the same as above. If you still get no display, then contact Acer, 1-800-816-2237, and set the unit up for service. If still in warranty.
Hope this helps.
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by: alexjayaprakashPosted on 2007-09-21 at 17:41:34ID: 19940036
beside the toggle hot key, please check the display properties see if the Acer software has provide you the utilities to configure the display option.