So the monitor on my mom's old laptop crapped out and we've got a working monitor plugged into the computer and we can't figure out how to get the new monitor setup as the default monitor (we're using logmein to access the computer). Windows xp home.

Any help would be very helpful.

 

Shouldnt it just be a quick shortcut or F key to switch to that monitor?

 

not sure if the laptop is different, but right click on the desktop, click properties. then settings. then select the secondary monitor. there should be an option that says "use this device as the primary monitor". that's how it is on mine.

 

Function + F8 should switch it

 

When you plugged it in the second monitor did it become the extended desktop?

 

reformat

 

Reboot

 

We tried to go in through control panel > display and were able to set it up as a second monitor on an extended desktop, but that's not the outcome we were going for.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them when I'm over there next.

 

I honestly don't think I've ever seen a computer that you couldn't just unplug an old monitor and plug in a new one.

 

Usually on the top row of keys (the function keys) you see icons in color, which are functions that are activated by holding down the Fn (function) key and pressing the key you need. There should be one with an icon that looks like a monitor. (On HP laptops, it's Fn+F4, but if it's not an HP you'll have to either look for the monitor icon or...gasp...RTFM.) You can't do this using remote access (like LogMeIn, VNC, etc.). You have to press the right keys on the laptop's keyboard.

Typically the monitor function key toggles in sequence:
--Laptop monitor only
--Both monitors
--External monitor only