Extending desktop to projector

[Kymberley]

With XP I could plug a projector into the laptop VGA connection, right click on the screen and use settings to extend the desk top to the projector, the same as I could with a second monitor.

With Win 7 I can still extend my desktop to a monitor, with essentially similar steps.

However when I try to do the same with a projector I don't get and "extend" option, only choices between the laptop screen, the projector or a duplicate of the laptop screen on the projector.

How can I extend to a projector? In this case a BENQ.

We replaced the win 7 notebook with one running XP and had an extended desktop straight away. Just had to install the software and data on that one as well.

 

[StuberB]

if you do a <FN> <F8> do you get an option to extend?

 

[Petey7]

Windows key + P. It's the second option from the right.

 

[Kymberley]

The windows + P does not give the Extend option as on e of its choices - That's kind of the point of my question - how can I get it to give me one. It obviously recognises the projector is there since I can duplicate the laptop screen on it.

 

[Petey7]

On this thread, the person solved the same problem by reinstalling there video card drivers. If you want, I could find your drivers for you if you can tell me what video card you have.

 

[Kymberley]

Hi Petey

That thread seems to deal with a case where the second monitor was not recognised at all. In our case we can duplicate the laptop screen on the projector but can't extend it.

I'm wondering if the issue may be to do with the projector, in that it does scan through its connection options until it finds a signal. If we have been on duplicate and change it to eg show desktop on laptop only, it starts scanning again, so maybe Win 7 loses its recognition of the projector as soon as it starts scanning.

As I said with XP we have got the extended desk top and the application is running as intended.

 

[Petey7]

Really, saying "it works on XP" doesn't change the situation.

He had the exact same problem. I quote "it is mirroring the display....but I want one large desktop". Note, "on large desktop" = "extended display".

Also, I took a look at what computer you have. Dell, does not, nor have they ever, sold that laptop with Windows 7. That tells me that someone else installed 7 after the fact. I have discovered that your laptop only came with one video card option. But you need to find out if your are running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7. You can figure this out by right clicking Computer in the start menu, and clicking properties. Look for "system type" under "System". Just in case, 32-bit is sometimes called x86.

32-bit driver: NVIDIA DRIVERS 258.96 WHQL
64-bit driver: NVIDIA DRIVERS 258.96 WHQL

 

[Kymberley]

This is not my laptop but one belonging to one of the members at the golf club, which came with W7 installed.

We instead used one belonging to another member which had XP.

 

[Kymberley]

I might also add that in the settings screen With W7, we do get the 2 "monitors" displayed and can change the resolution of each independently.

 

[Petey7]

If that member want's the ability use a projector as you have described, I would pass the info along to them.

Once again, Dell does not, nor have they ever sold that laptop with 7 pre-installed. The laptop was discontinued before 7 was released, and refurbished models on Dells website do not come with a 7 option.

 

[Kymberley]

Also, less obviously, I am in Australia it is night time here and the systems are not at my house.

Any suggestions will take some time to try out. Thanks for your interest in this problem.

 

[Kymberley]

Also, less obviously, I am in Australia, it is night time here and the systems are at the golf club not at my house.

Any suggestion will not be able to be tried for some time. Thanks for your interest in this issue.

 

[Petey7]

Please tell me, yes or no, do you have permission from that member to make changes to his/her computer? If not, I would pass the info along, and do nothing else. If you do make changes without the owners permission, any repercussions are entirely on you.

 

[funnycool]

Hi all,

You can use this Guide : Extend Desktop to lcd / monitor / tv

 

[Umuntu]

Windows will not extend to projector

There is no background picture set on laptop. Just add a background picture on your laptop and viola!