Setting Display Resolution And Refresh Rate; Dual Independent Display Mode - Dell XPS M2010 Owner's Manual

Press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image between the display only, the external device only, or the
display and the external device simultaneously. Highlight your display choice and the display is selected
when you release the keys.

Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate

NOTE:
If you change the display resolution from the current settings, the image may appear blurry or text may be
hard to read. Before you change any of the display settings, make a note of the current settings for future
reference.
To display a program at a specific resolution, both the graphics card and the display must support the
program, and the necessary video drivers must be installed.
NOTE:
Use only the Dell-installed video drivers, which are designed to offer the best performance with your Dell-
installed operating system.
If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust
automatically to the closest supported values.
1 Click Start→ Control Panel→ Display.
2 In the Display Properties window, click the Settings tab.
3 Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution.
NOTE:
As the resolution increases, icons and text appear smaller on the screen.
If the video resolution setting is higher than that supported by the display, the computer enters pan
mode. In pan mode, the entire screen cannot be displayed at one time. 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.
NOTICE:
You can damage an external monitor by using an unsupported refresh rate. Before adjusting the refresh
rate on an external monitor, see the user's guide for the monitor.

Dual Independent Display Mode

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.
1 Connect the external monitor, TV, or projector to the computer.
2 Click Start→ Control Panel→ Display.
3 In the Display Properties window, click the Settings tab.
NOTE:
If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust
automatically to the closest supported values. For more information, see your operating system documentation.
4 Click the monitor 2 icon, click the Extend my Windows desktop... check box, and then click Apply.
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Using the Display