Not able to toggle between two monitors (Fn +F4 not working)

Hi,

I am trying to toggle the display of my laptop between two screens but it not working.

At present the external monitor mirrors the contents of the laptop screen. However, when I press the Fn+F4 combination to toggle the display, the external monitor just blinks, the laptop gives out a beep and display stays with the laptop screen.

I tried updating the graphics card driver but that creates some conflict and my machine does not boot up. I had to go back to a past restore point.

System: Compaq EVO N600c, Windows XP, SP2, professional, Display card driver – ATI Mobility Radoeon 9600 series.

Thanks,

MG.

 

Have you tried changing the monitors through display setting instead?

To do this if you're unsure;

>right click on some free space on your desktop

>select 'properties'

>click the 'settings' tab

This will show you your connected monitors, and if you clcik one it will show you the options for that specific one.

If you want to use both monitors at the same time as one big screen, select 'extend my windows desktop onto this monitor'

If you just want to use the attached monitor instead of the laptop screen, click 'use this as my primary display' then click the laptop monitor (1) and click 'de-activate' in the menu.

click apply, then test the settings to see if you're happy. If so, click OK.


I'm pretty sure fn+f4 is only for switching the monitor onto mirror mode (for a projector), and then off again

 

On most laptops, FN + F4 (or the display cycling key combination, if different) will cycle the monitors between:

1. Laptop display only
2. Laptop and external screen (mirror)
3. External screen only.

 

Thanks guys,

I fixed the problem by going through the following steps. A corrupt display driver was the problem.

1. Uninstall the display driver. First note down the driver details. ( right click on desktop -> properties-> settings-> Advanced -> Adapter ->properties -> driver ->Uninstall )

2. Restart the computer. At this time the computer uses a generic display driver.

3. Install the orignal driver and restart the computer. The new driver is detected automatically.

Now I am able to switch between monitors using the Fn +F4 combination.

Alternate solution
I came across this problem accidently. Earlier I used to be able to toggle between the monitors using the Fn+F4 combination.
One approach I tried was to fall back to a past system restore point. I selected a two-days old system restore point, and I was able to use my external monitor in the mirror mode (dual mode). However the Fn +F4 combination was still not working.
Start -> all programs -> Accessories -> system tools -> System restore.




MG.

 

Nice to know