40
Using the Display
FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\Source\display.fm
D E L L C O N F ID E N T IA L – P R E L IM I N A RY 1 / 2 5/ 0 7 – FO R PR O O F O N LY
If the video resolution setting is higher than that supported by the display, the computer enters pan
mode. In pan mode, the entire screen cannot be displayed at one time. For example, the taskbar that
usually appears at the bottom of the desktop may no longer be visible. To view the rest of the screen, use
the touch pad or track stick to pan up, down, left, and right.
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
Click
Start
→
Control Panel
→
Display
→
Settings
.
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.
3
Click the monitor 2 icon
→
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor
→
Apply
.
4
Change
Screen resolution
to the appropriate sizes for both displays and click
Apply
.
5
If prompted to restart the computer, click
Apply the new color setting without restarting
→
OK
.
6
If prompted, click
OK
to resize your desktop.
7
If prompted, click
Yes
to keep the settings.
8
Click
OK
to close the
Display Properties
window.
To disable dual independent display mode:
1
Click
Settings
in the
Display Properties
window.
2
Click the monitor 2 icon, uncheck the
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor
option, and
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
Start
→
Control Panel
→
Display
→
Settings
→
Advanced
→
Displays
.
See the documentation that came with your video card for additional information.