Running 2 external displays on a lenovo g570-4334

When using a PCI or PCI-E graphics card, it will disable your standard VGA output port because the up-dated graphics card and your factory VGA port require different display drivers. Usually, the drivers are conflicting and will make your system unstable and cause it to crash. In short, you can't use both at the same time. I have a Radeon HD 5450 graphics card installed on my PC and it too has disabled my standard VGA port. If you are trying to use more than one monitor, you have to install a graphics card that supports a multiple display output. The graphics card will either have 2 VGA ports, 2 DVI-D ports or 2 HDMI ports or even any combination of the 3. My card, for example, has 1 VGA, 1 DVI-D & 1 HDMI. I can run up to 3 monitors at a time via my graphics card, but I cannot run a 4th monitor from my factory VGA port. My graphics card uses ATI/AMD drivers while my VGA port requires the use of Nvidia drivers.
I hope that you find this useful.

Make sure you are using a charger when doing this. One with 20v and 4.5A

How about looking at a screen?

Use an external monitor

Briefly;

Your laptop has an external display device port. (Connector)
I do not know what it is, because you didn't state the laptop manufacturer name, and model number; Elizabeth

It may be a VGA port, or HDMI port, or Mini-HDMI port; or DVI port

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_Connector

(Scroll down for VGA Cable example)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

(You can click on any photo, and it will enlarge)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HDMI_Connector.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

Laptop OFF, monitor OFF, connect the external display device to the laptop.
(VGA = Monitor. DVI = Monitor. HDMI, and Mini-HDMI usually = HDTV. They all compromise an external display device)

Turn the monitor/HDTV on.
Turn the laptop on.
By factory default settings, the display should show on the external display device.
IF not;

There are at least 3 display options. For this example I'm going to use a VGA monitor.
(For a VGA monitor you can use a CRT type of monitor. Looks like a small TV. Or you can use a flat LCD screen monitor, if it has a VGA Cable attached)

The basic 3 display options using a VGA monitor are;
1) Internal monitor of laptop ONLY
2) Internal monitor of laptop AND external VGA monitor
3) External VGA monitor ONLY

Hold the Fn key down, and at the SAME time tap once on the Display Toggle-Over key.

Which key is that? Dunno. Laptop manufacturer name, and ......................

It will be one of the F keys at the top. F1 through F12.
The Function key will have a monitor icon on it, and usually an arrow on one side........Or perhaps two monitor icons sitting side by side.
(Empty rectangle is a monitor icon)

Still no display on external display device?
Hold the Fn key down again, and tap once more on the Display Toggle-Over key

[If memory serves for Display Toggle-Over key;
HP = F4
Acer = F5
Toshiba = F5
IBM/Lenovo = F8

Don't write that in stone, however.......]

Once you post the manufacturer name, and model number; then I can guide you step by step.

Post back in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Wouldn't it be NICE to know what laptop you are referring to

Oh well...........maybe one day

By factory default settings the display should automatically show in the external VGA monitor. (TV. Whatever)

HOWEVER;
Your laptop has at least 3 display options;
1) Internal monitor of laptop ONLY
2) Internal monitor of laptop AND external VGA monitor
3) External VGA monitor ONLY

By factory default settings the display should automatically show in the external VGA monitor. (TV. Whatever)

Press, and hold the Fn key down, and at the same time tap once on the Display Toggle-Over key.
Which key is the Display Toggle-Over key?
Dunno. Laptop manufacturer and model number wasn't stated.

(One of the F keys at the top.
Generally;
Acer = F5
HP = F4
Lenovo/IBM = F10
Dell = F8, unless it's Alienware - F6)

Did that? That's how it worked on your friend's TV?
Then your TV is the problem.
Settings I assume. NOT a TV tech.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Instructions

1

Plug one end of the VGA connection cable into the VGA port on the external display. Tighten the knobs on the VGA connector to secure the cable to the monitor.
2

Plug the other end of the VGA connection cable into the VGA port on the on your Compaq 6910P. The VGA port is located on the back of the device. Tighten the knobs on the VGA connector to secure the cable to the laptop.
3

Plug the external display's power cord into a wall outlet. Power on the device by clicking its "Power" button.
4

Boot your Compaq 6910P.
5

Click on the "Start" button in your task menu.
6

Select "Control Panel," then click "Appearance and Personalization."
7

Click "Personalization" in the window that appears.
8

Select "Display Settings."
9

Select "Mirrored" from the New Display Detected dialog box to have your displays mirror each other.
10

Select "Extended" from the New Display Detected dialog box to have your display function like one, large workspace.
11

Select "External Display Only" from the New Display Detected dialog box to use only your external monitor.
12

Click the "OK" button to keep the changes and exit the setup.

But fan still runs, and it sounds like the harddrive is spinning?

Diagnose.

Do you have a VGA monitor available?
You can use a CRT type, (Looks like a small TV), or a flat LCD screen monitor if it has a VGA cable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

1) Laptop OFF, monitor OFF, connect the VGA monitor cable to the left side of the ThinkPad T42. (DisplayPort)

2) Turn the monitor on. If a CRT type allow it to warm up.
Turn the laptop on.

By factory default, the display should show on the external VGA monitor.
If not;

There are at least three display options available;
1) Internal monitor of laptop ONLY
2) Internal monitor of laptop AND external VGA monitor
3) External VGA monitor ONLY.

Press, and hold down on the Fn key, and at the same time tap once on the F7 key. The F7 key is the Display Toggle-Over key.

3) Good display on external monitor?
Problem is the video cable, or inside the Display Assembly.

Since the display goes dark after a couple of minutes, I can tell you the problem is the screen Inverter, or Backlight.
(Inside the Display Assembly)

90 PERCENT OF THE TIME the fault is a bad screen Inverter.

Primer:
An LCD screen cannot produce light. It needs an additional light source.
A Backlight is the additional light source.

A Backlight can be a CCFL, or a series of LED's.
(Light Emitting Diode)

The Lenovo ThinkPad T42 series of Notebook PC's, uses a single CCFL for a Backlight,

http://www.screentekinc.com/IBM__ThinkPad__T42-series-laptops-lcd-screens.shtml

A CCFL is a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp. (Bulb)
Similar to Fluorescent lighting used in homes, and businesses, but on a MUCH smaller scale.

[Average thickness is 2mm. That is a little larger than 1/16th of an Inch.
Average length is almost as long, as the LCD screen is in height ]

A screen Inverter converts the power from the laptop, for the LCD screen, and Backlight.

(Older versions of backlighting that used a series of LED's, used a screen Inverter. Newer versions do not. For these replace the LCD screen)

A screen Inverter and an LCD screen are a MATCHED unit. Make sure you get the correct screen Inverter, or LCD screen, when buying.

Primer over.

One example of a screen Inverter for the T42's,

http://battery-adapter.com/product_info.php/products_id/3381/vThinkpad+T42

Pictorial guide for replacing a screen Inverter, in a ThinkPad T42 series of Notebook PC,

http://www.insidemylaptop.com/replace-screen-inverter-in-ibm-thinkpad-t40-t40p-t41-t41p-t42-t42p-laptops/

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/01/31/replace-screen-inverter-fix-backlight/

Lenovo Support link to the Hardware Maintenance Manual, for the ThinkPad T42 series of Notebook PC's,
(HMM. It is a Service Manual),

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/guides-and-manuals/default.page?

Click on the bold black subheading -
Hardware maintenance manuals
Then click on the blue -> [+] Click for files

It is a PDF file.
It may take up to 30 seconds before the first page comes up.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

Yes.

1) Laptop OFF, monitor OFF.
Connect a VGA monitor to the VGA port, on the back of the laptop.

The VGA port is on the right side, as you view the back of the laptop.
This is a basic example of a VGA cable, and a VGA port, (Connector),

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

NOTE* Color does Not matter.

You can use a CRT monitor, (Looks like a small TV), or a flat LCD screen monitor if it has a VGA cable.

Turn the monitor on. If a CRT type allow it to warm up.
Turn the laptop on.

By default the display should show on the external VGA monitor.

IF not;
Press, and hold down on the Fn key, and at the same time tap once on the F3 key.

No?
There are at least 3 display options;

1) Internal monitor of laptop ONLY

2) Internal monitor of laptop AND external VGA monitor

3) External VGA monitor ONLY

Hold the Fn key down, and tap again on the F3 key.

(The Fn key is down at the bottom LEFT corner of the Keyboard.
The F3 key is at the top of the Keyboard.
The F3 key is the Display Toggle-Over key )

Need more information post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Welcome to Fixya

Try to drain the electrostatic charge of the motherboard that usually cause this issue. I wrote a tip on how to do the power drain. Try to plug in external monitor on the VGA port and see if you are getting display using external monitor. If you are getting display using external monitor then the problem would be the laptop LCD. If you are getting the same black screen using external monitor then the problem is already the motherboard.

Thank you for using Fixya!

If you need further help, reach me via phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/elixirjose_00375ea24bd8141b