Laptop screen problem

[hammerman]

The screen's gone on my lappy (Acer Aspire). However, a mate told me i might be able to hook it up to an external screen of some description. I think i have an old flat screen monitor in the loft....would that do and what cable would i need to run it from.

He also mentioned that i'd need to press a button...F4 on the keyboard to bring it into use ???.

Any help, suggestions or advice will be much appreciated

[ChuckFickens]

Yes you can hook it up to an external screen.

You need a standard VGA cable.

It's probably FN + F5 to switch to an external screen on a acer, but all laptops are different so it may not be on your model.

[ChuckFickens]

http://www.ebay.co.uk...f94be5#ht_1899wt_1185

[hammerman]

Thanks chuck.

So ive got my vga monitor out of the loft and it already has one of those cables (note to self: always check before you buy things !!!)

Ive plugged it in, fired the lappy up and even after pressing FN and F5 together, nothing's happened.

Ive had a look around and some people mention that i might have to go in to some of the settings and choose "use both screens" or something like that....but that's not a lot of good when i can't see the lappy screen.

Anything else to try before something gets thrown across the room !!!!!!

Ta muchly

[hammerman]

All sorted...it just needed a wiggle !!!! thanks for your help.

[ChuckFickens]

BTW, if you're going to use it with a screen spend £20 on a USB keyboard and mouse then you can shut the screen on the laptop and tuck it away to one side.

(you may have to change the power setting in control panel so it doesn't go into standby as soon as you shut the screen)