Using monitor instead of laptop screen

[pidget]

I have a laptop with a cracked screen that I currently cant afford to replace, I was told I could use it but just plug a pc monitor into it instead. Does anyone know if this is an easy swith or more specifically how?

[Buenchico]

Basically you just plug the monitor in and it should work. You might find that you need to go into your laptop's display settings to optimise what you see but otherwise you should encounter any problems.

[Buenchico]

'should'?
shouldn't!!!

[ChuckFickens]

Plug the monitor in before switching the laptop on and it should work straight away.

[ummmm]

If only I knew this a few months ago....

[pidget]

Thank you, am picking up monitor on wednesday and will be sure to let you guys know if any problems as somone on here always has the answers.x

[VHG]

Note that sometimes when you plug in a monitor you have to press a button on the keyboard to switch from laptop screen to monitor. You can then press the button again to switch to both.

Pressing the button continuously wraps around from laptop screen only, then monitor only, then both screens, then back to laptop screen etc.

It is often a combination of the Fn key and a key along the top (one of the "F" keys). You may see a small icon next to the key showing a small "monitor" icon.

[mikestar]

when you plug the monitor in to you laptop wile the latop top is loading hold the FN key and hold F8 that will switch it to the pc monitor

[ChuckFickens]

"hold the FN key and hold F8 that will switch it to the pc monitor"

On your laptop maybe, not on all of them by a long way, HPs use fn+F4 for example, other brands use entirely different key combos.