Problem with external monitor...

Up until recently, I was able to display my external monitor with a different setting (ie resolution) as my laptop.

However, now the computer recognize the monitor as the same as my laptop, thus, I can only choose the resolution settings that my laptop have. Also, I cannot do dual monitor. Help!

Thanks id advance.

 

Basic stuff first: have you tried right-clicking on the desktop, going to Properties, then going to the Settings tab, and messing around there? (I will presume that you have, but I had to check)

Next: try installing the trial version of Ultramon. See if with this you can mess around enough to change your settings. If you can, you probably have a bad Windows installation and need to repair/reinstall it (the display config applet isn't working properly). By the way, Ultramon is a great software to have if you use dual monitors. I'm considering the chance of buying it, still trying the trial for now.

If that fails: try getting a Linux Live CD (for example the Ubuntu Live CD), run it, and see if you can use a dual monitor there. If you can, chances are you will need to reinstall Windows.

Also, another question: did you recently upgrade your graphic drivers or install any kind of new software or hardware?

 

Yes I did. Actually, what happened what, when I first plugged it (moniter 1) in, it was fine. But the other say, I plugged in another monitor (monitor 2) and messed with some settings to do dual monitor. Since then, monitor 1 didnt work as it use to.

Also, my primary (laptop) monitor's setting is controlled by the "Plug and Play" monitor settings in the Display Properties.


I tried reinstalling the video drivers, but to no avail.

 

That does look like a weird problem. Still, you might want to try the other two things I suggested (Ultramon and the Linux Live CD) to see what happens.