Windows 7: resolution issues for second monitor/display

Hello,

I bought a new toshiba notebook w/ I3 and all the goodies, (I think)

I plugged in a hdmi cable and started setting up my 42 inch tv as a second monitor..

but i was having issues with changing the resolution of that monitor/TV...The monitor/tv had the black bars, but each time i would change the resolution, it would also change the size/resolution of the laptop/internal monitor...

AND THEN AT SOME POINT, i entered the wrong / UNSUPPORTED resoltion for the TV and the TV went black with the message UNSUPPORTED RESOLUTION...

And the laptop monitor also went black...

The only way i can get any view is if i unplug the hdmi cable...

But, then i cant adjust or change the resolution of the TV/second monitor...

Is there a way to reset back to default or to edit the resource file?? and if so, where is that file located???


PLEASE HELP thanks


Bill

It sounds like you had cloned the notebooks display to the TV instead of Extending the desktop. In Clone mode, both the Laptops screen and TV have to have the same resolution. In extended desktop mode you can set independent resolutions for both the LCD and the TV. Which exact model of Toshiba do you have?

I have the G62-144X Toshiba with hdmi output

And yes, i think you are correct in theCLONE thing... although, I thought what i was doing or trying to do was turn off the laptop built in monitor when the TV was on/plugged in

If i EXTEND , how can i get the desktop onto the TV???

And what resolution can the TV display... and if i recall something about locking aspect ratio??? what is that, as i recall it wouldnt let me change/unselect the locking or custmoization of aspect ratio...

thanks for the reply though... i appreciate that someone is out there trying to help...

I couldn't find the model of Toshiba. Are you sure that isn't a seriel number. From what I remember (havn't used a Toshiba for a while), it used to be a case of pluging in the HDTV via HDMI and using the function key FN + f5 to switch to the TV and turn off the Laptop screen. The FN key may be the key to the right of the left-CTRL. Then you can select 1080p. Is the Display Driver from Toshiba, as this will function as intended with the use of function keys. If you do have problems with unsupported TV resolutions, you can try booting up while holding F8. Then selecting 640x480 VGA mode (or called something similar). This boots into Windows with the lowest resolution. You should then be able to re-select a resolution for the TV.

MY BAD.. and i did this a couple forums.. SO SORRY...

It is HP... dang it... i had bought a toshiba on sale that came with NETGEARS newest wireless pc2TV adapter, and that was a big waste of time and money... but that is another story.. I ended up returning it in 3 hours... and had a hassle doing so, cause my issue was with teh adapter and not the laptop, but i only got that laptop as a requirement of the adapter, anyways, I exchanged it for the HP...

sorry

and it does have a fn key for switching displays.. the only problem is that the display for the monitor/tv is unsupported... and when i try to reboot in safe mode, it still wont recognize the SECOND MONITOR.. maybe that is a function of safe mode???

I ended up restoring the hard drive to factory image, as i just bought the laptop and had nothing / no data to worry about...

I have reset everything and have selected teh tv display as a 'projector'...and it defaulted to a display of 1920x1080 and it works...

It now works like i planned although im sure it could have been done differently.. but now, when i plug in the cable, the monitor blanks out and the tv lights up.. whooo hoo...

It works even when i turn off the tv or the video amplifier... and returns to display back onto the laptop, all automatically..

to me. this means that I should be able to plug my laptop into any hdtv/hdmi cable and it should work that way no matter who's house I am at...

Pleae let me know if there is a problem with how i did it or a better way..

thanks again for all your help and supprot.. it is truyly appreciated


I have restore