desktop monitor doesn't support my laptop video output

i have a thinkpad T22, run under winXP
the backlight of the display is now very dim i can hardly see anything on the display. so i hook up the thinkpad to a Dell Monitor.
although i can perform most operations with Dell Monitor, yet the Dell Monitor does not seem to support my thinkpad video output. None of the media players, including Microsoft media player and Real player, can display any movies properly - in fact, they can NOT display anything AT ALL - pitch black is what i have on Dell when i try to play anything. Thru the dim light, i still can see that the movies are played "nicely" on the original thinkpad display. Any clue how I can improve Dell Monitor's functionality.
i assume it's kinda a "hardware" problem, so i posted it here. if anyone knows a better forum to post my question, please let me know thanks

i have a thinkpad and the display was broken recently ( backlight was dim )
found an old Dell monitor and hooked it up to the thinkpad. for most functions,
the Dell Monitor works fine. But when it comes to play videos, the Dell Monitor
shows nothing - NO image. i tried to adjust the thinkpad display setting, but it does not seem to help. (or maybe that's not the right place to look into?)
Does anyone know how to adjust the setting so as to be able to use a desktop monitor to display a laptop video output ?? any help is appreciated

anyone knows how to adjust (if adjustable) a desktop monitor to display properly a laptop video output.
i connect my thinkpad to a Dell monitor and for the most part, Dell Monitor works well (can even watch Youtube with it). But when it comes to playing
movies/DVD (played from DVD player), the Dell monitor shows NOTHING.
i tried to adjust the best i can about Dell and thinkpad display but nothing works. anyone can help ???

 

Try tweaking the setting in Presentation Director on your Thinkpad. I remember seeing an option about video and movies. I was able to play video on a Samsung HDTV via VGA with a T60 after clicking that check box. Go through the Presentation Director and take a look.

 

if the monitor can display the desktop then it should be able to display anything

the monitor doesn't know the difference between displaying normal desktop and displaying video

if your videos show nothing, i'd suggest you go download either codecs or try VLC player

 

Try setting the external display as the primary monitor/display. That should fix the black output problem.

 

uh, this guy created 3 threads about the same thing

this doesn't even count in gaming

 

Welcome to the forums.

When you have a question, please post it once. Three different threads with essentially the same question asked would add considerably to the forum's clutter if we were to allow such posting habits.

Your three threads have been merged into this one, where it would be most appropriate and get the most attention.

Thanks.

 

It's a function of video overlay drivers, just turn off the laptops LCD completely (should be a function key to do this) and then it should display video just fine.

 

usually function+F5?

I think if you boot up the laptop with the monitor plugged in it should default o the external monitor as the main monitor.