Installing Display Devices

Installing a display device is a very easy process. Today, most monitors are plug’n’play – you simply plug the monitor into the VGA or DVI port and turn it on, no installation is necessary.

You configure the monitor settings in two places: through the monitor’s built-in control panel and Window’s display control panel.

Monitor Control Panel

The monitor control panel is often access through a button on the bottom or side of the monitor.

The graphic shown is a typical monitor control panel which appears superimposed on whatever is current displayed on your monitor. In the monitor control panel, you can control brightness, contrast, color settings, monitor settings, and audio (for monitors with built-in speakers).

Windows Display Settings Control Panel

Windows has its own control panel applet to control monitor settings. The Display settings control panel can be reached in the control panel or by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Properties.

You can control the settings of your display and which display to use as your primary (when you have multiple monitors) in this control panel.

LCD Projectors

When you plug an LCD projector into a laptop computer, you must often activate the external monitor port. This typically requires you to press a key combination on the keyboard.

On Dell Laptops, Function+F8 cycles through the monitor combinations including internal only, external only, and both on.

On Compaq/HP/Gateway models, Function+F4 cycles through the monitor combinations.

Input and Multimedia Devices

There are many types of input and multimedia devices that you can use on your computer. Earlier, we discussed keyboards and mice. Keyboards and mice and connected and recognized by Windows XP automatically and typically do not need drivers installed. Some keyboards or mice with special hardware do need drivers to use the special functionality and are installed as needed.