Computer Monitors

[pzooc]

OK - this is kind of tool related........
I have this friend who gave me a really great laptop to use for my new timing system. I am using it with a 32" HDTV and an additional 15" flat screen monitor that is mounted to the wall (that he also gave me BTW). I bought a powered splitter so that I could view the laptop screen, and both remote monitors.

So everything works great except for one minor thing. I can't figure out how to duplicate the signal from the laptop to both of the monitors. The laptop gives me only one choice - to "extend" the image. What is interesting to me is that in all my work presentations using my work laptop and a projector, for instance, "duplicate" is generally the default when I hook up. If I want to "extend", I generally have to change the setting for the other imaging device - which I often do so that I can project images on the screen and take notes on my laptop using the other screen. But with the laptop I am using for my timing (Windows XP), it appears that the only option I have is to "extend" when I really want to "duplicate"

So it is really not a problem. But it would be nice to have the timing on both the laptop and the small monitor mounted to the wall and then be able to have say a vintage racing DVD or TV going on the HDTV at the same time by changing the TV's setting. As it is now, it is either/or. Either I have the timing images on the 32" and the wall mount - or - I have the timing images on the laptop only, in which case I can watch TV/Movie on the 32" monitor and the small monitor shows nothing but the computer wallpaper.

I know......poor, poor me - but am I missing something?

[HomeRacingWorld]

[pzooc]

Thanks Harry - still can't get it to work. Oh well.

[Florida_Slotter]

All you need is a "VGA Splitter Cable" and you can have both of those monitors up and showing the same display.

You can find them online for about $20.

[pzooc]

I have a splitter. All three monitors can display at once. I guess the simplest way to say it is that I just can't get the same thing on all three at the same time.

[boopiejones]

On both my laptops, holding down the function key and then tapping f4 allows me to cycle through all the different display options. I'm fairly computer illiterate, so I am not sure if this is what you are looking for.