How do I get external video on a PC?

[Jack D.]

My wife wants to use her Dell Latitude running XP to watch Hulu on her 32" Sony Bravia. The Dell has a VGA port and I connected it to the VGA on the TV. Cycling through all 7 inputs on the TV get no signal.

I don't know if the PC needs to be configured to use an external monitor or not and the Help reader says to install a PCI video card for an external monitor. I would assume that since there is already a VGA port it would already support an external monitor. Any suggestions?

[PeterW]

Set the resolution in the Displays CP on the Dell to whatever the Bravia requires.

[Carm]

Did you or your wife use Fn (function key) + F8 to get the laptop to use the external vga port?

J

[Jack D.]

Carm wrote:
Did you or your wife use Fn (function key) + F8 to get the laptop to use the external vga port?

J

Now that's something I didn't know about! Will that make the display mirror the screen and how do I switch it back to the laptop (fn f8 again?)

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[Carm]

Yes, should work as long as your display is connected and powered. If not you will need to go to the control panel and look for display settings. Or right click on the desktop to list display settings.

EDIT:
IIRC - You will have the option to mirror display or expand display.
Also make sure you have the correct input on the TV. One of my TVs has different input buttons on the remote. Four to be exact.


Joe

[Jack D.]

Carm gets the prize! I hit Fn F8 and cycled through the inputs on the TV and there it was. Now all I have to do is run an audio cable to get sound. She's got the PC next to her so its speakers are letting her hear the show but it would be nice to get the sound from the TV.

Thanks Carm!

[Carm]

My wifee has a Dell Inspiron 1525 that she uses for work. It has VGA and HDMI port. I have had to help here a few times with getting it to work on a projector.

No problem. That is the only drawback I see from using the VGA port instead of HDMI.
EDIT: Depending on your TV you might need to get a 3.5mm to RCA http://www.daydeal.com/product.php?productid=11487 or male to male 3.5mm cable. http://www.daydeal.com/product.php?productid=12404
Joe Carm

[Jack D.]

I think hers is a 630 and there's no HDMI on it. It's her work machine and she brings it home on weekends to work and catch up on her shows. Her employer is not exactly cutting edge when it comes to new hardware.

[Speedy]

Some day we'll be able to do this using a Mac.