Attaching a flat screen to an Inspiron 5100

Question

I searched the forum trying to figure out the requirements to attach a flat screen to my Inspiron 5100 laptop and I could not find any. I have a Gateway flatscreen from 5 years ago that I attached a DVI to VGA adapter too and plugged it in the back of the laptop. Apparently that doesn't work because I could not get anything to show up on the flatscreen. How would I get an additional flat screen (The one I have or any other one) attached so that I can run dual monitors with the flat screen and my laptop? Thanks for any help.

RoadiJeff · Answer

If you press Fn+F8 it will toggle between the notebook display, an external monitor or both simultaneously.

david6734 · Answer

Yeah I tried that and it doesn't do anything. The flat screen still doesn't get a signal.

RoadiJeff · Answer

Do you have the driver loaded for the external monitor?  Also, try turning the monitor on first and then the notebook.

david6734 · Answer

Ah... I didn't do anything with the drivers. Do I need to download the drivers and then just install them?

RoadiJeff · Answer

I was torn between thinking it could be a driver problem or wondering whether that adapter cable worked.  I did a little more research with the advanced search function at the bottom of this message and found something that may help.   Read the second message in this thread: DVI Video Out

david6734 · Answer

Oh well... I tried to find some option on that screen and it just didn't happen. I am beginning to think that this gateway monitor (FPD1500) is not supported by just using an adapter.

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