T42 running Windows 7 - how to get Fn+F7 working?

[tomiki]

Hi,
I'm new here, but did a very thorough search already on this forum as well as google for the following issue.
Recently I installed Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit on my T42 (2372-FXG) and everything works perfectly...almost everything. Got all the drivers from Microsoft/Lenovo, and accepted the Windows driver for the graphics card.
However, I sson relaized that when I connect the machine to a projector, there is no way to get the video signal out through the external VGA port. Neither by pressing Fn+F7, nor by changing the display properties in Control Panel.
So I searched and found jmcafee's solution in this post
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=79476
for a third party driver. I installed it, and the graphics performance improved a lot, and now from Control Panel I can also extend my desktop onto an external screen, e.g. projector.
However, I can't mirror the image to have the same on both laptop and projector, and there is no reaction to pressing Fn+F7: neither menu pops up, nor there is any signal appearing on the external port.
I understand that for the menu I would need the Presentation Director, but that is not available for Windows 7, and I also couldn't intall the XP or Vista versions because of compability issues.
I have the newest Hotkey Features app installed, and thus I got the onscrene menu for wireless/bluetooth, volume etc. also the keyboard light above the screen works etc.
But the external video signal doesn't... any suggestions, solutions?
Thanks and sorry for the long text

[dr_st]

Windows 7 has a built-in simple way to manage multiple video outputs. Press Windows+P to get it.

Lenovo discontinued the presentation director for Windows 7. By default, if you install the hotkey features, Fn+F7 does exactly what Win+P does.

[GomJabbar]

Lenovo discontinued the presentation director for Windows 7. By default, if you install the hotkey features, Fn+F7 does exactly what Win+P does.

That's pretty much been my experience as I recall. Haven't used an external monitor with Windows 7 in a while

[tomiki]

Windows 7 has a built-in simple way to manage multiple video outputs. Press Windows+P to get it.

Lenovo discontinued the presentation director for Windows 7. By default, if you install the hotkey features, Fn+F7 does exactly what Win+P does.

Hey,
since my T42 has no windows button, I use the keyboard mapper of Lenovo to assign Windows to one of the Control keys. Pushing that key, the start menu comes up nicely. But pushing that control+P nothing happens

[dr_st]

That is weird - it's supposed to work. I believe the shortcut can be disabled, but by default it should be enabled.

FWIW, you can install Presentation Director on Win7, I have a friend who has done so. Don't know whether it will solve your problems, but may be worth a shot.

[tomiki]

That is weird - it's supposed to work. I believe the shortcut can be disabled, but by default it should be enabled.

FWIW, you can install Presentation Director on Win7, I have a friend who has done so. Don't know whether it will solve your problems, but may be worth a shot.

Well, then I'd appreciate some howto cause for me both installers denied, even when I did the workaround (setup, restart, setup again)...
thanks

[dr_st]

Did you try running them in "compatibility mode"? (right click on the installer application, properties, compatibility tab)

[tomiki]

No, I didn't run the installer in compability mode, but that wasn't the problem either. The installer went OK, only the installed program not. However, you might have a point that the installed exe should be run in comp. mode will check it out. Thx.

[tomiki]

I tried the compability, but it still doesn't work. Hmmm, strange is my system
Any suggestions yet?

[dr_st]

My opinion is that it is a better investment of your time to try to get the built-in Win+P feature to work. Try to reinstall the video driver maybe?

[tomiki]

Unfortunately reinstalling the video driver also didn't solve the problem. It's a third party one though, as described in the first post.
Windows + P still doesn't work.