[NTLUG:Discuss] 22 in KDS flat screen as external for xp laptop 32 bit

[Patrick R. Michaud]

On Thu, Aug 13, 2009 at 10:14:46AM -0500, Allen Meyers wrote:
> I have asked HP and 2 other forums and am told this is a simple
> procedure however no one has offered any solutions that address why I
> cannot get anything on the external monitor.
> 1. the pin configuration is correct.
> 2. Its plugged in and the light on the KDS IS blinking
> 3. This 2590US HP on f5 does seem to have a monitor icon, but how to
> use it escapes me.
> I have a neighbor with failing eysight that I want to give this unit
> to but I need the external even with large fonts configured.

On my HP 2530p elitebook, I haven't had much luck getting the external
monitor button to work.  Instead I've taken to using the xrandr command
to do it (and you get much more control over the external monitor output
anyway).

Here's the command I use to enable the VGA output:

    xrandr --output VGA --mode 1024x768 --same-as LVDS

In my typical usage (presentations at conferences) this has worked out
_extremely_ well, because my laptop screen is 1280x800 but the VGA
output remains at 1024x768.  The 1024x768 external output means it
works for nearly all display projectors, but I still see normal
resolution on my laptop screen.  Even better, the 1024x768 is mapped
to the upper-left of my laptop space, which means I can use the area
outside of the 1024x768 area ("off-screen to the projector) to hold
notes, a clock/timer, etc. that the audience doesn't see.

Anyway, I highly recommend xrandr for managing video interfaces.

Pm