Question about extended desktop feature

[Wanabe]

I have XP Pro setup on my Dell laptop.

I often show presentations using a projector attached to my secondary video output. On my old laptop the projector would just duplicate my laptops display onto the projector screen and all was well. Now, it seems, that in order for the project to work at all I have to tell XP to extend my desktop. If I uncheck this box in display properties I get no secondary display.

1) When I uncheck "Extend my desktop" does the secondary video output usually display just a copy of your computers desktop? If so, then there is something wrong with my setup since I get no display from the projector when this is unchecked.

2) When in "Extended Desktop" mode, I can drag a PowerPoint window over to the extended destop and view it on the projector but when I try to run the slideshow, I only get the "Full Screen" show on my laptop display, not the extended display. Any ideas?

I have both diplays setup using the same screen resolution. I can drag icons, etc. over to my extended desktop OK.

I would just rather that my computer/projector work as it did when I was running Windows 98 & 2000 (just show a duplicate of my desktop on another monitor or the projector).

I can live with the extended desktop feature if I have to but it's a problem in not being able show PowerPoint slide shows in Full Screen on the extended desktop.

BTH-I'm using Office 2000Pro.

Thanks for any help.

Wanabe

[Statica]

Since I dont know the model number of your dell laptop, this might be a generic answer - have you tried hitting Function+ F8 while you are connected to your external display device; that toggles displays between Local (LCD) and external (Projector).

[Wanabe]

It's a Latitude C840.

I haven't tried the Function+F8 feature. I'll give it a go.

Thanks,
Wanabe

[Statica]

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems...index.htm#html
Will give you the userguide for your system. Check out the HTML version (CHM actually) - and read the section on "Using the display" on how to use your laptop display OR an external display OR laptop + external display simultaneously.