Shortcut Keys for external monitor with XP

Question

Last night my laptop (samsung nc20 running XP) fell off the table and the screen cracked leaving me unable to see anything.

I have arranged for a it to be repaired but want to make a back up of several folders before it gets sent away. I was planning to use my parents LG LCD tv as an external monitor so I can see what I am doing when copying things to but after plugging it in nothing seems to happen (works instantly on another laptop running vista) and hotkeys seem to be of no use at all.

Does anyone know the series of shortcut keys I will need to do to get XP to use an external monitor?

Thanks in advance

Solution

Even if this is a very old question, I can contribute some timeless advice. Many laptops will have an fn key shortcut that can be used to change the display target. Look for one of the function (F) keys with a monitor symbol, or the text CRT/LCD in blue, and press fn+that key.

It might take a couple of seconds for the switch to take effect. The key combination will often work in the pre-boot environment, such as BIOS or a boot menu, as well as after booting the OS.

For the Rhys's laptop, a Samsung, this is fn+F4. HP is also often using fn+F4.

Thinkpads will often use fn+F7.

Dells will often use fn+F8.

The easiest way to find out is of course to look at the keyboard.

Comments

[uxout]

Most laptops have hotkeys for this, but I don't know what they'd be on this machine...hopefully somebody does. XP doesn't have this functionality baked-in...you MIGHT be able to bring up display properties the long way but there's a whole lot that might go wrong.

[Xantec]

it is also possible that more than just the screen was cracked

[Bora]

Listen to Xantec, the guy knows what he is talking about.