Can't extend desktop to monitor 2 all of sudden

When you run multiple monitors in "extend" mode you will only get the icons and the "Start" button on one monitor. All it does is spread your desktop across both monitors.

You need to enable the 2nd video output in the video card settings!

right click on desktop select properties and select the settings tab


Select the monitor 2, click on extend my desktop to this monitor.

Then you can drag windows either out from your main monitor, to up, down, or the sides debends on where you set the 2nd display, you can also change the position of the 2nd screen by draging it around in the middle.

What is occurring is the TV monitor is extending your desktop, where what you were doing in the past is switching between the two. When you plugged the VGA cable in, what occurred is your desktop was increased to account for the size of the TV, and it is acting like a second monitor, If you go into the display properties on your computer you will see a monitor with a 1 and one with a 2. The monitor with a 2 on it is the television, and whatever side it is to the #1 monitor (most likely to the right) if you scroll your mouse to the right of the monitor on your computer you should see it appear on the TV, to play or have a window on your TV, simply click and drag the window into the TV screen Frame, and then maximize the window, this will allow you to continue to work on your computer monitor while the other program runs on the television. It's basically like having two monitors instead of switching between the two

Right click on the desktop, go to properties, go to settings tab. There you will see your display adapters. Identify screens 1 and 2. Assign monitor 2 to extended desktop. This is where your issue can be solved. Play around with it and get to know it. You can change the monitor to right and left, etc.

With the SECOND (usually the RIGHT) mouse-button, click anywhere on your computer's "wallpaper".
Click Properties.
Click Desktop.
Click Identify and watch both screens.
One should display a large '1' and the other a large '2'.
Click 'Extend my Windows Desktop onto this screen".
Again, click Identify.

can you now see 2 monitor properties i.e. 1 & 2... then identify running monitor ... if it is 1 then select 2 in properties and set it again to be used as extended desktop... open any application and pull or drag it holding it from title bar to the extended desktop....

Connecting Two Monitors
Use the cable adapter to connect a VGA monitor and a DVI monitor to the DVI-I connector on the back panel.


When you connect two monitors, the video driver will detect this connection and activate the multimonitor functionality.
This is the only way to enable extended display. If you use a standard splitter and connect two DVI montors, the display will only be mirrored.


Detailed documentation is available at http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/op755/en/UG/HTML/ultrasma.htm


Hope this helps! Please rate your feedback!

1.Open display Properties
2.Click properties
3.You are presented with Monitor 1 - Desktop & Monitor 2 - Projector
4.Click on monitor 2
5.Un check extend desktop to monitor
6.Click on monitor 1 and apply

If you apply at stage 5 above you deactivate the monitor 2

Windows vista :
Right click on your desktop > Personalize > Display Settings > Click on the second monitor icon (monitor picture with number 2 in it) > Clear the checkmark at "Extend the desktop onto this monitor" > OK

Windows XP :
Right click on your desktop > Properties > Display Settings > Click on the second monitor icon (monitor picture with number 2 in it) > Clear the checkmark at "Extend the desktop onto this monitor" > OK

That should fix it

Ok.I got your point.Actually you're in extended mode.
Once you connect you can have 2 types of output to your projector.
1.Clone mode--> make everthing look the same
2.Extended mode--> have another new space for you to use.
** in extended mode you'll have a background of your desktop.you can drag any running program to that space.

How to setup clone and extended mode
1.Click start-->Settings-->Conteol Panel-->Display
2.Under Display Properties window click the last tab name settings
3.Under display select you 2nd monitor
3.Below Screen Resolution you should be able to see a checkbox "extended my windows destop on to this monitor"
please check this box for extended mode or uncheck it incase you won't to use clone mode.

takecare.