oblive,
Thanks for your input.
Please read the steps below and let me know if you need any answer
clarifications.
huntsman
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What is the BIOS? -
"BIOS" stands for "Basic Input Output System". This is your laptop's
core hardware operating system that controls basic items like the
display, keyboard, hard drive, and power modes.
There's a formal definition of it here:
TechWeb - Tech Encyclopedia
"BIOS"
http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm?term=BIOS&x=22&y=11
The BIOS settings in your Dell Inspiron 5000 laptop are controlled by
the "System Setup Program" (as explained in the sections below).
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How to Temporarily Change your Dell Laptop's Display Mode -
If Windows 98 is running, here's how to temporarily change your
laptop's display mode:
1. On your keyboard, press (and hold down) the blue-lettered <FN> key.
This is the "master" Function key at the bottom left corner of your
keyboard, next to the "Ctrl" (Control) key.
2. With the <FN> key held down, press and release the <F8 - CRT/LCD>
key to switch to another display mode. As long as you hold down the
<FN> key, you can repeatedly press the <F8 - CRT/LCD> key and step
through all three display modes.
3. When you see the desired display, release both keys.
Note that when you restart your laptop, it reverts to the default
display mode set up in the "System Setup Program". The next section
explains how to change the default display settings.
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How to "Permanently" Change Your Dell Laptop's Display Mode -
Here's how to "permanently" change the laptop's default display mode:
1. You can't do this while Windows 98 is running. Instead, close any
open applications or documents, then Shut Down your laptop.
2. After it shuts down, wait about 10 seconds for the hard drive to
spin down, then power your laptop On again.
3. As your laptop starts up, watch the screen closely. When you see
the blue "Dell" logo appear, press your <F2> key. This interrupts the
normal startup routine and takes you into the text-based "Main Menu"
of the "System Setup Program".
The "Main Menu" looks like this:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/pblan/b1.jpg
4. Note the instructions at the bottom of the screen. Use your
keyboard's up/down/left/right arrow keys to navigate through the text
fields in the "Main Menu", and stop when you get to the "Video Display
Device" field.
5. Now, press your <F5> (or <F6>) key to change the value setting in
the "Video Display Device" field. Press <F5> or <F6> repeatedly to
rotate through the three display options:
"LCD Mode" - use the Laptop's LCD screen only
"CRT Mode" - use the External monitor only
"Simul Mode" - use the LCD and external screen simultaneously. This is
the default setting.
Select the value you want.
7. When you're finished and ready to exit the "System Setup Program",
press your <F10> key to exit and save your changes*. Your laptop will
resume its normal startup routine.
The new display mode will now stay in effect until you go back into
the "System Setup Program" and change it.
*NOTE: if you want to exit "System Setup" without saving any changes,
press your <Esc> Escape key. For help while you're in "System Setup",
press <F1>.
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How To Turn Off Your Dell Laptop's Power Management -
In order to save battery power, the Power Management mode controls
when your screen and hard drive go to "sleep". If your laptop is
plugged into a wall outlet most of the time, you can disable the
Power-Saving Mode.
You must change these power settings using the "System Setup Program".
Here's how:
1. You can't do this while Windows 98 is running. Instead, close any
open applications or documents, then Shut Down your laptop.
2. After it shuts down, wait about 10 seconds for the hard drive to
spin down, then power your laptop On again.
3. As your laptop starts up, watch the screen closely. When you see
the blue "Dell" logo appear, press your <F2> key. This interrupts the
normal startup routine and takes you into the text-based "Main Menu"
of the "System Setup Program".
4. Notice that there are no "Power Management" settings on the "Main
Menu" screen. To navigate to the proper "Power Management" screen,
hold down your <Alt> key and press <P> repeatedly.
The "Power Management" screen looks more or less like this:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/pblan/b4.jpg
5. Using your arrow keys, highlight the "Power Management" field.
6. Press your <F5> (or <F6>) key to select "Disabled": this will turn
Power Management off completely and should prevent your laptop's
screen from sleeping when you close it.
7. When you're finished and ready to exit "System Setup", press your
<F10> key to exit and save your changes*. Your laptop will resume its
normal startup routine.
The new power mode will now stay in effect until you go back into the
"System Setup Program" and change it. If you're going use your laptop
on battery power, you should go back and re-enable the "Power
Management" settings.
*NOTE: if you want to exit "System Setup" without saving any changes,
press your <Esc> Escape key. For help while you're in "System Setup",
press <F1>.
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Additional References -
Dell User Guide
Dell™ Inspiron™ 5000 Series
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/pblan/
Dell User Guide
Dell™ Inspiron™ 5000 Series
System Setup Program
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/pblan/setup.htm
TechWeb
Tech Encyclopedia
"BIOS"
http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm?term=BIOS&x=22&y=11
Search Terms & Google Results -
Google Groups Search
- switch between laptop screen +and monitor
http://groups.google.com/groups?num=100&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=switch+between+laptop+screen+%2Band+monitor&btnG=Google+Search |
