Using a second monitor as a primary monitor

[montag451]

Hi,
I am using a laptop as a desktop at the moment -
hooked up kb/mouse/monitor to lappy.

When the case is closed [system on] there is no give away [without digging] that the laptop is the computer that is being used.

BUT
I can't play movies on the monitor.
When they are started, the audio is fine, but just a black box where the actual movie should be.

If the laptop case is opened, the monitor on the laptop shows the movie is playing without a problem. Lots of codecs installed. Gspot shows there isn't a problem with individual movies. No clashing of codecs reported.
VERY stable system [xp pro]

I've tried VLC, WMP 9, DIVX player,
It seems to be an issue with using a second monitor [not extended, just as one screen]

When you identify either monitor [lappy or external] it comes up as the primary monitor whether the lappy is open, or not.

The laptop is P4 3ghz with ATI Mobility Radeon 9000. [512MB DDR] fast lappy - desktop replacement.

Thanx in advance.

 

[Matthias99]

You cannot display overlay video on any screen except the 'Primary' monitor. It will show up as a black window. This is an EXTREMELY common question in this forum.

If you're mirroring the display, though, it should work. Do you see two 'displays' in Control Panels/Display/Settings, or just one? What are your ATI monitor/Hydravision (if you have it installed) settings set to? What model of laptop exactly?

 

[montag451]

I see 2 displays - both displays come up as '1'.
If I try and swap to '2', it just switches back to '1' after pressing apply/ok.

The ATI settings - well - there are lots of them, where do you want me to start?
Firstly, when I tried changing monitors, I could only use both monitors as one extended desktop - but couldn't get it to go back without rebooting to last configuration.
Hardware acceleration = FULL [enable write combining]
Monitor = Use DDC information [1024X768]
lappy monitor = scale image to panel size{max 1400X1050]
Overlay adjustments - the settings are greyed out and I can't change them,
Theatre mode = UNTICKED
Direct 3D=set to QUALITY - all settings
OpenGL=BALANCED/APPLICATION PREFERENCE/SMOOTHVISION disabled
Testure pref=quality
Midmap detail=high quality
Wait for vertical sync=default off


The model laptop is Fujitsu-Siemens AMILO D-8830 - nice.......

Thanx in advance

 

[JaceAce32]

my goodman i should have your answer, i am a newebie yes but with an answer.
ok i did this a good two weeks ago, using intervideo dvd player (not that it matters i think)
1. on my laptop i played around with the function keys that deal with monitor switching.
2. then i extended my desktop to the physcial monitor.
3. with that i entered the advanced properties and futzed around with primary monitor option.
Make the physical monitor your primary monitor.
4. it should work, but if it doesnt, pm me and i'll try to include pics.

 

[montag451]

Yeah - I tried that. Thought it was going well.

That was when I got completely stuck with the extended desktop. No way out of that except last good config.

I think we had the same idea........ thank you - great minds think alike