XP Laptop - Can't use an external Monitor?

[Sean Fox]

I have an old Acer Aspire 5601 laptop running XP SP3 which I have set up for retro gaming. I'd like to use an external monitor with it as the laptop's own screen is starting to looking a bit dark these days. I basically want to be able to close the laptop lid and just use it with the external montor and USB mouse and keyboard.

I have a suitable monitor, however I cannot get the Acer to recognise it properly.

In Display settings, it shows 2 monitors, but it lists them both as identical screens (it lists them both as being "Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset Family". The only way I can get any sort of output onto the external screen is if I tell the laptop to extend the desktop. However, if I do that, the main screen - taskbar start button etc) stays on the laptop, and I just only the extended portion of the desktop on the external monitor (no icons, no start menu)

In display settings, I do not get the option to make the external monitor my primary display. I feel like I've tried every possible combination of things but nothing seems to work.

Any/all advice woudl be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Sean Fox]

Have you tried going into power settings and changing “what closing the lid does”

Make sure that is set to “do nothing”, and then it “should” use the external display when the lid is shut.

Yup, that's set to do nothing when the lid is closed. Bit of a head scratcher this one

 

[Sean Fox]

You might need to use the Intel software to select the display output.

Good shout, I'll give that a go!