External Monitor Display Question

Lanebobane · 24 Jul 2011

Hello Sevenforums,

I run Windows 7 64 Bit on my HP laptop and essentially have 2 "modes." The first is just straight laptop use with nothing plugged in, and the other is a "docked mode," where I plug a monitor, external keyboard and mouse, and speakers into the laptop and use it essentially as a desktop. To save processing power, I display ONLY on the external monitor.

So my issue is that every time I plug in the monitor, I get a duplicated display (same thing displayed on both the laptop screen and the monitor). Is there a way for Windows to change my display settings when it detects a monitor has been plugged in? This isn't a huge problem, and only takes about 15 seconds to fix, but if there is a solution I sure would like to know.

Thanks in advance,
Lanebobane

MvdB · 27 Jul 2011

Hello Lanebobane, welcome to SF!

When you connect a second screen you have the option of "cloning" your primary screen to it or "extending your desktop". Or, sometimes, neither. It seems you've set it to clone. Since you did not post any lt details it is difficult to give examples...i wonder what it is that you do to fix it now, as i would expect that to be the sam screen where you can set this right...

Also, dending on mobo, on board graphics, if your system is new enough to run W7, I would be very surprised if running lt screen AND external, caused a noticeable processing power diff?