Dell Latitude D520:  Using the Display

 Using the Display : Dell Latitude D520

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Using the Display

Dell™Latitude™D520User'sGuide

Adjusting Brightness

Switching the Video Image

Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate

Dual Independent Display Mode

Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays

Adjusting Brightness

WhenaDell™computerisrunningonbatterypower,youcanconservepowerbysettingthebrightnesstothelowestcomfortablesettingbypressing<Fn>

and the up- or down-arrow key on the keyboard.

You can press the following keys to adjust display brightness:

l Press <Fn> and the up-arrow key to increase brightness on the integrated display only (not on an external monitor).

l Press <Fn> and the down-arrow key to decrease brightness on the integrated display only (not on an external monitor).

Switching the Video Image

When you start the computer with an external device (such as an external monitor or projector) attached and turned on, the image may appear on either the

computer display or the external device.

Press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image between the display only, the external device only, or the display and the external device simultaneously.

Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate

To display a program at a specific resolution, both the graphics card and the display must support the program, and the necessary video drivers must be

installed.

Before you change any of the default display settings, make a note of the default settings for future reference.

If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust automatically to the closest supported values.

1. Click Start® Control Panel® Display® Settings.

2. Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution.

If the video resolution setting is higher than that supported by the display, the computer enters pan mode. In pan mode, the entire screen cannot be

displayed at one time. For example, the taskbar that usually appears at the bottom of the desktop may no longer be visible. To view the rest of the screen,

use the touch pad to pan up, down, left, and right.

Dual Independent Display Mode

You can attach an external monitor or projector to your computer and use it as an extension of your display (known as "dual independent display" or

"extended desktop" mode). This mode allows you to use both screens independently and drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the

amount of viewable work space.

NOTE: Brightness key combinations only affect the display on your portable computer, not monitors or projectors that you attach to your portable

computer or docking device. If your computer is connected to an external monitor and you try to change the brightness level, the Brightness Meter may

appear, but the brightness level on the external device does not change.

NOTE: If you change the display resolution from the current settings, the image may appear blurry or text may be hard to read. Before you change

display settings, note the current settings for future reference.

NOTE: Use only the Dell-installed video drivers, which are designed to offer the best performance with your Dell-installed operating system.

NOTE: As the resolution increases, icons and text appear smaller on the screen.

NOTICE: You can damage an external monitor by using an unsupported refresh rate. Before adjusting the refresh rate on an external monitor, see the

user's guide for the monitor.

1. Connect the external monitor, TV, or projector to the computer.

2. Click Start® Control Panel® Display® Settings.

3. Click the monitor 2 icon® Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor® Apply.

4. Change Screen resolution to the appropriate sizes for both displays and click Apply.

5. If prompted to restart the computer, click Apply the new color setting without restarting® OK.

6. If prompted, click OK to resize your desktop.

7. If prompted, click Yes to keep the settings.

8. Click OK to close the Display Properties window.

To disable dual independent display mode:

1. Click Settings in the Display Properties window.

2. Click the monitor 2 icon, uncheck the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor option, and click Apply.

If necessary, press <Fn><F8> to bring the screen image back to the computer display.

Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays

To swap your primary and secondary display designations (for example, to use your external monitor as your primary display after docking):

1. Click Start® Control Panel® Display® Settings® Advanced® Displays.

See the documentation that came with your video card for additional information.

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NOTE: If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust automatically to the closest supported

values. For more information, see your operating system documentation.