[HooFlungAudio]

New Samsung model 52L630 LCD TV and a Gateway laptop with VGA out & headphone audio output. I'm trying to get them to mate, but so far, they're pretty shy . . .


VGA-to-VGA cable, small-jacked stereo cable to small-jacked stereo cable. Laptop is not ancient but doesn't have HDMI out. The best I've done is to choose Source: PC (on TV) and then reboot laptop. This yields a dark screen on the TV *but* then upon beginning to boot, I can see the Microsoft Windows logo with the familiar scrolling horizontal bar on the TV as well as on the laptop -- SO -- cable is good and at least for a few shining seconds the TV recognizes a signal from PC. But when the Microsoft logo quits, and there's a few seconds of darkness before the next screen comes up, it seems that the TV loses the signal, because from that point on there is no visible input on the TV screen and the little red light in the lower corner goes into blink mode.


It's probably something simple, but it's enough to drive me crazy. VGA res on my laptop is 1280 X 768; in addition to that res, I've tried the above with as low as 800 X 600 res with no difference.


The TV works beautifully with HDMI and Component inputs, but alas, that's not the language my laptop speaks.


Any suggestions from experts (or others!) on this esteemed forum??

 

[bkspero]

You don't mention executing a keystroke combination to toggle the display signal to the VGA output connector. Typically one of the keys is a function key. I went to the Gateway website and searched "external display", and I've pasted the result below. Have you gone into the display settings and noted that the external display is attached? Have you tried Fn F4? to direct the output externally? If not, try it and odds are pretty good that it will work. Good luck.


Q: How do I view the notebook display on an external monitor or projector?

A: You can use your notebook for giving presentations by connecting an external monitor or projector to your monitor (VGA) port. Your notebook supports simultaneous LCD and CRT display. Simultaneous display lets you control the presentation from your notebook and at the same time face your audience.

Note: If an external monitor or projector is connected and you close the LCD panel, your notebook turns off the LCD panel, but does not enter Standby mode.


Follow these steps to use a projector or external monitor.


Turn off your notebook.

Plug the projector or monitor cable into the VGA port on your notebook or the optional port replicator.

Turn on your notebook.

Plug the projector's or monitor's power cord into an AC power source and turn it on. Windows® recognizes the new hardware and searches for its driver. You may need to install the driver from the disc supplied by the manufacturer or download the driver from the manufacturer's Web site.

After the driver is installed, right-click any empty space on the desktop, and then click Properties.

In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.

On the Settings tab, right-click the second monitor icon (labeled 2), and then click Attached.

Click Apply.

Adjust properties such as Screen Resolution or Color Quality if necessary.

Click OK.

Note: Press FN+F4 to switch between viewing the display on the LCD panel and viewing the display on the projector or monitor.


Important: If an external monitor or projector is connected and you close the LCD panel, your notebook may turn off the LCD panel, but will not enter Standby mode.

 

[sharkcohen]

Go to Gateway's website and see if there is an update for your video driver.

 

[HooFlungAudio]

Well, this is as cool as can be. My laptop screen on a 52" monitor, as I type, and it is sharp, brilliant, and everything that I had hoped for.


Many thanks for the pertinent suggestions that quickly solved the problem. Despite 20 years of (amateur) computer use, I hadn't realized that the external feed was not live until it was toggled on. Fn-F4 => instant karma.


I've captured both responses for further reference and I thank you both. Friends at work have raved about avsforum.com and now I know why.


This is absolutely awesome. Maybe some day I can help someone as you have helped me.