Connecting is easy(?)
on the back of the laptop there should be a 15 pin female connector (3 rows of holes). Or you may have a digital output (with an adapter in the box) - see -
http://www.computerplug.com/connectors_mon.php
plug in the monitor ... then find the fn key on your lappy keyboard
also look on the number keys at the top ... there should be some fainter symbols also - one of them will be a pikky of a monitor
hold fn ... and press this key (mine is fn+5)
Normally there are 3 states ... laptop - laptop + screen+ screen (keep pressing the keys to toggle.
Usually you won't need to adjust anything
however if the laptop will support it .... and you are connecting to a flat screen ... change the desktop resolution to the one recommended by the manufacturer.
(there may be a utility for tuning video output but it vairies)
best option is to look on the lappy website in support for a handbook