How to make external monitor the primary display?

When extending the windows desktop in display properties, I assume "primary monitor" refers to the main monitor that displays the task switching window when pressing alt-tab, which is monitor #1 when clicking "identify" (right?)

I have a laptop (Lenovo T60) but always use my external monitor as my primary monitor, but I'm trying to use a dual monitor setup, extending the desktop onto the laptop display, with the laptop display being the #2 display

In display properties, when I select the #2 monitor (my external monitor), then check "extend windows desktop onto this monitor", I can then check "use this device as the primary monitor", however those settings don't keep, because after clicking "apply", the external monitor goes blank and the laptop display keeps the primary monitor status and stays #1.

How can I make the external monitor the primary display (monitor #1)?

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I can do this, but it may depend on the notebook you use. I have a Fujitsu S2210 running Vista with an ATI Xpress1150 integrated controller. I have to follow the following sequence to make this work:

1. Using the function key combination to swap monitors, (Fn F10 on mine), I set it so that only the external monitor is enabled.
2. Then, (as this is now the primary monitor) I use the windows display manager (in Vista you can access this through Windows key & 'X') to select the notebook monitor as my extended desktop.
3. There is no 3. It's that simple. The ATI catalyst control center (you'll like it once you get used to it, honestly!) will reflect these changes, so once you've done this you can use the CCC to make additional changes (in my case I have a Viewsonic LCD that I rotate to portrait mode and the CCC lets me do that)

Enjoy. I'd be interested to hear how well -or not- this works for others.

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to Gusto

Gusto wrote :

I can do this, but it may depend on the notebook you use. I have a Fujitsu S2210 running Vista with an ATI Xpress1150 integrated controller. I have to follow the following sequence to make this work:

1. Using the function key combination to swap monitors, (Fn F10 on mine), I set it so that only the external monitor is enabled.
2. Then, (as this is now the primary monitor) I use the windows display manager (in Vista you can access this through Windows key & 'X') to select the notebook monitor as my extended desktop.
3. There is no 3. It's that simple. The ATI catalyst control center (you'll like it once you get used to it, honestly!) will reflect these changes, so once you've done this you can use the CCC to make additional changes (in my case I have a Viewsonic LCD that I rotate to portrait mode and the CCC lets me do that)

Enjoy. I'd be interested to hear how well -or not- this works for others.

I have a IBM Lenovo T60 running Windows XP and this works fine on my setup as well when using the Function F7 key.

Reply to Gixx

On my Dell Latitude D600 with XP, I had to hit the Advanced button in Display Properties/Settings tab and toggle the 1/2 switches of the monitor and panel under the ATi Displays tab.

Hope that helps.

Reply to seika7

Gusto wrote :

I can do this, but it may depend on the notebook you use. I have a Fujitsu S2210 running Vista with an ATI Xpress1150 integrated controller. I have to follow the following sequence to make this work:

1. Using the function key combination to swap monitors, (Fn F10 on mine), I set it so that only the external monitor is enabled.
2. Then, (as this is now the primary monitor) I use the windows display manager (in Vista you can access this through Windows key & 'X') to select the notebook monitor as my extended desktop.
3. There is no 3. It's that simple. The ATI catalyst control center (you'll like it once you get used to it, honestly!) will reflect these changes, so once you've done this you can use the CCC to make additional changes (in my case I have a Viewsonic LCD that I rotate to portrait mode and the CCC lets me do that)

Enjoy. I'd be interested to hear how well -or not- this works for others.

TOP!

Worked like a charme for me and it is really hard to find information on that elsewhere. Thanks Gusto!

Reply to Anonymous

Thanks! Worked for me too. Fn F4 on HP Compaq 6910p.

Reply to wonkyone

Following is for HP laptop with Vista installed:

1. Press “Windows icon” and “X” keys together -> Windows Mobility Center shows up

2. Click on “Connect display” -> Select “Show my desktop on the external display only” -> Apply

3. Now your display is only on external monitor (hopefully a bigger and nicer one)

4. Right click on the external monitor to select “Personalize”

5. Select Display Settings
-> Notice your external monitor becomes the “main” monitor
-> Select the “2” monitor which is your laptop monitor now and check “Extend the desktop onto this monitor” check box

6. Optional - if you want Big/External/#1 monitor on the right side of your work area, dray "2" and place it on the left side of "1"

You are all set!

PS. check ATI catalyst control center if you want

Reply to tommie

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