Having trouble setting up multiple monitors - Laptop + external monito

I have a Sony laptop with Windows 7, and recently purchased a new LCD monitor. I know it is supposed to be easy to use both monitors, but so far I have been unsuccessful. It seems like I can only duplicate, and not really extend the monitors, so I see the same on both screens. Also, when I try to close the lid on my laptop, the external monitor goes to sleep. I am obviously doing something wrong, but cannot figure out what it is. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Hi Landaw,

Not sure what type of Sony you have but try changing the view by holding down Fn (down next to you windows button) and press F7 then press enter to keep the view.

Good Luck

I'm sorry, but that did not work. When I extend the display, I get a blank screen with the windows background but no icons on the external monitor, and all the icons are on the laptop monitor. I want to be able to use both monitors, having different views on each.

Thanks for the info, but I don't think I am being clear, or perhaps, I can't do what I envision. For instance, I want to have a website on one monitor, and a Word document on the other monitor. Should I be using something intead of extend displays? I have seen other people being able to open something, and then drag it from one monitor to another.

Thanks for your help.