Windows

To activate the external monitor output of a laptop using a Windows operating system push and hold down the function (fn) key and then push one of the numbered function keys at the top of the keyboard. Which button you press can be identified by the words lcd/crt or a computer monitor icon. This procedure is called "toggling" the external monitor port.

Each time you "toggle" the function key combination one of the following will occur:

1. the internal monitor of the laptop will turn off and an image will come up on the video/data projector
2. the internal monitor of the laptop will stay on and an image will also come up on the video/data projector
3. the internal monitor of the laptop will stay on, but no image will come up on the video/data projector
4. the internal monitor of the laptop will stay on and an image will also come up on the video/data projector, but this image will be cropped to some extent

Which of the four that occurs is dependent on the type of video card installed in your laptop. Most new laptops will let you use both the internal display and the external monitor port.

On the fourth possibility, you have a choice. You can work with the projected image and still have your laptop screen usable as well, or you can "toggle" again until the only image you get is the projected image. In this case you wont have an image on the internal laptop display. The entire computer signal needs to be sent to the projector. This should correct the cropping problem. Another explanation for cropping is examined under resolution.

Older laptops may only allow you to use the internal monitor or the external monitor port.