How do I get my laptop to run an extra monitor with a two different displays?

The graphics card in the laptop (Dell Inspiron) allows a TV output but switches off it's own monitor when it does so. I need one program displayed on the laptops monitor, and another program displayed on a remote monitor. Is this possible and what equipment is needed?

Answers:
You should be able to get the built-on monitor and the external monitor to work both at the same time
(Fnct + F8) (press this combination 2 or 3 times)
but both will show the same screen. You can't show a different program on each screen. I believe MS Windows calls this "Focus".
look on the graphics card setings
Usually a laptop will cycle through LCD screen, EXT screen and both screens by pressing a combination of buttons - a function key marked fn and F4 on some models.

As for two different displays... I don't think you can do that.

The same single video circuit is displaying at all times.

If there was a USB breakout box with a video circuit in it, you may be able to achieve this.

Windows will allow two separate images but only when there are two separate video cards.

I do know that some software on the MacBook allows this when you are running the Mac version of Powerpoint (Keynote) - you can use this to view the current and next slides while your audience only sees the main slide.

The answers post by the user, for information only, RunQA.com does not guarantee the right.


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