Beginner questions about multiple monitors...

[LegendaryKA8]

Alright... firstly, I'm asking the same questions for both a friend and myself... my friend has a T41, I have a T60(not yet, but you get the idea).

I haven't really tried using multiple monitors before, but my friend asked me about them so I ended up experimenting around with his T41. He loves having the extended desktop, but his annoyance is that he has to always redo his settings every time he connects to his docking station. This means monitor position, display settings... everything. Is there a way for him to keep his settings? He's running XP Pro, and I believe he's got SP2 but I'm not 100% positive.

My questions pretty much mirror his, although since I don't have a dock yet I understand that I'm going to have to manually change my settings every time I connect. I will be running Vista Ultimate x64 on the T60, but will be getting a dock later on. So... how do you do this?

[dr_st]

Sometimes the computer keeps the settings. But even if not, the Presentation Director makes it super-easy to create different schemes and apply them.

[Terrahawk]

Here's another vote for the Presentation Director. I have an X31 with a port repllicator, and it usually remembers the settings last used. However, I have set up a special setting for use on the port replicator, which is activated by a quick Fn+F7, and a mouse click.

What I have noticed is:
- if you have been using the laptop alone, and you pop it on the dock and turn it on, it will most likely fire up both screens with the same image.
- if you have been using the laptop on the docking station and take it off, then turn it on, then it will fire up the onboard LCD alone.
- If you havebeen on the docking station, and leave it there between turning it off and on (or at least don't turn it on if you take it away). it will most likely fire up in dual-monitor mode.

At least, that's what my setup does. I have observed the same behaviour with my T41.