Connecting External Monitor

[lucadelcarlo]

I'm attempting to connect an external monitor to a T43 as the laptop's display has low resolution and I have access to a high-end Eizo monitor.

http://dcuser.net/others/eizo-led-backl ... 2411w.html

An adapter is being used to run from the thinkpad VGA output to the DVI cable leading to the monitor. No signal is detected, however. I've tried selecting various options in the control panel to no avail. What might be the issue?

Thank you

[rkawakami]

The video output on the laptop's VGA port is typically controlled by the Fn+F7 key combination. When the system is up and running, hold down the Fn key and then press the F7 key. This will either immediately activate the video signal on the external VGA port or will pop-up a window asking you which display mode you want (if the Presentation Director utility is installed). If your laptop is always going to be connected to the Eizo monitor, then you may want to set an option in the BIOS to use it as the boot display device. Once in the BIOS, select Config, then Display, then Boot Display Device.

ref: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/researc ... MIGR-60969 (BIOS simulator for T43)

[lucadelcarlo]

I've downloaded presentation director, however, there are "known compatibility problems" between my version of windows (win7) and the program, I'm informed. Fn 7 isn't working. Running the program directly, it's indicating that there's no external monitor attached, even though the cable is connected and the monitor is on. What next to try?

[lucadelcarlo]

Would by any chance using a VGA cable from the T43 to the Eizo resolve the problem, instead of using the adapter on the VGA out jack on the laptop into the Eizo's DVI?

This shouldn't be complicated at all, I would have thought.

Need I use the download presentation director? There are options in the control panel to choose a different display. Shouldn't that work?

Really not sure what the issue is...

[lucadelcarlo]

Use of the Fn+F7 keys together has not effect - the function appears to be disabled.

[pianowizard]

An adapter is being used to run from the thinkpad VGA output to the DVI cable leading to the monitor.

I bet this is the problem. Why don't you just use a VGA cable to connect to the monitor?

[lucadelcarlo]

Off to the shop to purchase one now and give it a try. Hoping so. It's ruining my working holdiday in Berlin.

[lucadelcarlo]

A new VGA cable has solved the problem.

My t43 is low res and the Eizo is high res, yet both show the same resolution now. How does one access the high res capability of the separate monitor?

Thank you.

[pianowizard]

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307873 .

[lucadelcarlo]

I'm running Windows 7 not XP, and I don't readily see how to address the monitors separately. Presetation Director is installed, however it's not working, but I believe that may be more control than I need. There should be a way to address the monitors separately with the built-in Windows 7 display controls, but I don't see it. I'm sure this shouldn't be difficult.

[pianowizard]

I'm running Windows 7 not XP, and I don't readily see how to address the monitors separately.

Ooops. For Windows 7, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976064 .

Presetation Director is installed

You don't need Presentation Director. In fact, I hate that software.

[lucadelcarlo]

I hate Presentation Director as well. Goodbye superfluous.

Now the new monitor is working, thankfully. Although the resolution is set to the highest (1600 x 1050) I'd still say it looks surprisingly uncrisp. Is there something else to consider? It is odd given the high-end reputation of this brand Eizo.

Thank you.

[pianowizard]

Although the resolution is set to the highest (1600 x 1050) I'd still say it looks surprisingly uncrisp. Is there something else to consider?

You need to get the monitor to "auto adjust" the image. This monitor may either have an "auto adjust" button, or you can access it through the monitor's menu.

EDIT: Oh wait, 1600x1050 shouldn't be the highest resolution. It should be 1920x1200. If you aren't getting 1920x1200, then you need to update your T43's graphics driver.