Urgent help needed

[barcelonic]

Hi all,

I'm trying to set up my old laptop with a separate monitor i bought. Its supposed to be a permanent installation so I'm tucking it away and treating it like a desktop PC.

I managed to get it so the PC stays on when I close the lid, but whenever I restart the PC or shut down and turn on again the PC doesn't recognise it and I have to set it up again.

Can anyone help me?

Is there a way to make the laptop not even recognise its own display?

I basically want the lid to always remain closed, an so the monitor can just come on not as primary display but as the only display

Any ideas guys, all help appreciated! Thanks!

[the_icks]

Originally Posted by barcelonic

Hi all,

I'm trying to set up my old laptop with a separate monitor i bought. Its supposed to be a permanent installation so I'm tucking it away and treating it like a desktop PC.

I managed to get it so the PC stays on when I close the lid, but whenever I restart the PC or shut down and turn on again the PC doesn't recognise it and I have to set it up again.

Can anyone help me?

Is there a way to make the laptop not even recognise its own display?

I basically want the lid to always remain closed, an so the monitor can just come on not as primary display but as the only display

Any ideas guys, all help appreciated! Thanks!

Theere is probably a setting in the BIOS for setting primary display.

[MJ10]

From my limited experience...

1) you can't really. A laptop is designed to always use it's integral screen as the primary display, you can only extend or duplicate it (this may not be true but it's the experience I've had when setting up my dads)

2) You may have to use a docking station. They tend to come with all the power buttons, generic sockets etc and will allow you to keep the laptop closed and out the way while it boosts to the monitor as the only monitor.

[Zordaner]

Originally Posted by barcelonic

Hi all,

I'm trying to set up my old laptop with a separate monitor i bought. Its supposed to be a permanent installation so I'm tucking it away and treating it like a desktop PC.

I managed to get it so the PC stays on when I close the lid, but whenever I restart the PC or shut down and turn on again the PC doesn't recognise it and I have to set it up again.

Can anyone help me?

Is there a way to make the laptop not even recognise its own display?

I basically want the lid to always remain closed, an so the monitor can just come on not as primary display but as the only display

Any ideas guys, all help appreciated! Thanks!

Im probably making myself sound like a doushe here (i'm not very technical) but are you asking how to make it so only the big screen shows what on it and the laptop screen is left blank or how to close the laptop lid and still have it running on the computer?

To the first question , fn+f8 should do that,
To the second question , I'm not entirely sure.

[MrRedman]

I did this with my old Fujitsu.

There's no way to power on the laptop without opening the lid.
As for everything being permanently on the monitor, If you leave the wire in, it should recognise it automatically. Otherwise you'll have to switch monitors manuially (Fn + F8) [Fn + F4 on Compaq and HP].

It's important to note your battery life will die so much more quicker assuming you're gonna' leave it plugged in on charge all the time but you said it's an old lappy so it may not matter so much.

Good luck friend.

[Ojaser6]

What OS is your laptop running?

[barcelonic]

Thanks for the replies.

Im running an OEM copy of Windows 7 Home 32bit i bought for it recently but the laptop is Acer and came with Vista pre-installed.

Interestingly, the FN+x combo aint workin anymore. With Vista it brought up a list of displays you could cycle through but now it doesnt - i have to go into Display Settings every time.

MrRedman-- Im not sure i get you sorry, it will be powered in all the time. Would there still be an issue or is that ok?

Zordana-- Not exactly what I was asking but you're no douche lol thanks for the reply anyway

MJ10 -- These docking stations - how much would i be looking at? And thinking about it now, would there be problems with overheating if the lid is left closed permanently?

Thanks

[MJ10]

Not sure, we have them at work but I'll find out.

Shouldn't be a problem as the fans should be underneath/on the side. The docking station should keep it fairly well lifted and ventilated.

As I say, I'll find out tomorrow, or have a look online at some, they're probably between £20 and £100 depending on how many gadgets you want!

[barcelonic]

Originally Posted by MJ10

Not sure, we have them at work but I'll find out.

Shouldn't be a problem as the fans should be underneath/on the side. The docking station should keep it fairly well lifted and ventilated.

As I say, I'll find out tomorrow, or have a look online at some, they're probably between £20 and £100 depending on how many gadgets you want!

Lol i've spent enough on this set up and so any more than £40 and its unlikely i'll get one. Just quickly googled and it looks as though they hold it up vertically like a PS3 stand - is that the case? And is that safe for it permanently?

Thanks again

[messyhead]

Originally Posted by barcelonic

Lol i've spent enough on this set up and so any more than £40 and its unlikely i'll get one. Just quickly googled and it looks as though they hold it up vertically like a PS3 stand - is that the case? And is that safe for it permanently?

Thanks again

Most docks I've seen are flat on the desk.

[MrRedman]

Originally Posted by barcelonic

MrRedman-- Im not sure i get you sorry, it will be powered in all the time. Would there still be an issue or is that ok?

It's fine nothing bad will happen. I was just drawing your attention to how your battery's life will decrease faster if it's always left in.