second monitor problems
 

I am getting settled into my new place and I can't get my Dell monitor to work my my laptop, the computer thinks it is working but all I have is a black screen. Any advice (or things I can check to see if if the laptop or the monitor is the problem). I just moved so something COULD have been damamged but everything seems ok, but this is the first I have conencted the monitor back to the laptop and I had a bunch of work done to the laptop.

Re: second monitor problems
 

Does it do something different if it is turned on and not plugged in? You dn't get a "no signal" message on the monitor or anything?

Re: second monitor problems
 

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Does it do something different if it is turned on and not plugged in? You dn't get a "no signal" message on the monitor or anything?

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There is definitally power to it because I get the test screen etc when I turn it on. Just black screen though when it the computer powers up.

Re: second monitor problems
 

Have you tried plugging the monitor into a different computer or the computer into a different monitor? If the monitor cable comes off, you can try switching it out, too.

Re: second monitor problems
 

[ QUOTE ]
Have you tried plugging the monitor into a different computer or the computer into a different monitor? If the monitor cable comes off, you can try switching it out, too.

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I have thought of all of these. My other computer is still in storage.

Re: second monitor problems
 

check that the cords are plugged in firmly on both ends of the cable connecting the monitor to the computer.
check that you remembered which keystroke combo routes data to the monitor.
If those don't do anything it doesn't look good, but make before you junk it make sure you do two things:
1. Attach another monitor to your laptop successfully.
2. Attach this monitor to another computer (maybe a good way to introduce yourself to a neighbor?)

update
 

I have decided the clown that fixed my laptop screwed it up. I don't know if it is a hardware problem, but the monitor isn't noticing when the laptop powers on. When I disconnect the DVI from the laptop I immediately get the box with the colors in it bouncing around the monitor. When I plug it into the laptop the orange (yellow) light come on on the monitor indicating the computer is powered off.

Re: update
 

laptops will usually have a way to change the display mode (single monitor, mirroring, dual monitors). it's often changeable with a function key on the keyboard? I get this same behavior on my laptop when I cycle through Fn-F7, for example.

Re: update
 

Hi, I had some similar problem my self, recently I have been going to a great Tech Support site that help with these kind of issues. I think you might find some useful information there as well