Dell Latitude X300: Using the Display

Using the Display

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Adjusting Brightness

Switching the Video Image

Setting Display Resolution

Dual Independent Display Mode

Adjusting Brightness

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WhentheDell™computerisrunningonbatterypower,youcanconservepowerbysettingthebrightnesstothelowestcomfortablesettingusingthe

appropriate Keyboard Shortcuts for the display.

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The Dell QuickSet Brightness Meter shows the current brightness setting for the display. Right-click the icon in the taskbar to enable or disable the

Brightness Meter on the screen.

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You can enable or disable the Brightness Meter from the QuickSet taskbar menu. When the meter is enabled, press the following keys to adjust brightness:

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

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

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For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar and click Help.

Switching the Video Image

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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.

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

Setting Display Resolution

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

installed.

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

NOTE: By default, the Brightness Meter appears in the lower-right corner of the display. You can click and drag the meter to a new location, and the

meter subsequently always appears at the new location.

NOTE: Brightness keyboard shortcuts only affect the display on your portable computer, not monitors 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 appears, but the

brightness level on the monitor does not change.

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

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

Microsoft®Windows®XP

1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

2. Under Pick a category, click Appearance and Themes.

3. Under Pick a task..., click the area you want to change, or under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Display.

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

Windows 2000

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Display icon and click the Settings tab.

3. Try different settings for Colors and Screen area.

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

displayed. 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

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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.

Windows XP

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

2. Open the Control Panel and double-click the Display icon.

3. In the Display Properties window, click the Settings tab.

4. Click the monitor 2 icon, click the Extend my Windows desktop... check box, and click Apply.

5. Change Screen Area to the appropriate sizes for both displays and click Apply.

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

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

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

9. Click OK to close the Display Properties window.

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To disable dual independent display mode:

1. Click the Settings tab in the Display Properties window.

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

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

Windows 2000

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The Windows 2000 operating system does not natively support dual independent display (extended desktop) mode on your computer. However, you can

download software from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com

behavior.