Dell D420 specifications Using the Display, Adjusting Brightness, Switching the Video Image

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Using the Display

Dell™ Latitude™ D420 User's Guide

Adjusting Brightness

Switching the Video Image

Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate

Dual Independent Display Mode

Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays

Adjusting Brightness

When a Dell™ computer is running on battery power, you can conserve power by setting the brightness to the lowest comfortable setting by pressing <Fn> and the up- or down-arrow key on the keyboard.

NOTE: Brightness key combinations only affect the display on your portable computer, not monitors or projectors that you attach to your portable computer or docking device. If your computer is connected to an external monitor and you try to change the brightness level, the Brightness Meter may appear, but the brightness level on the external device does not change.

You can press the following keys to adjust display brightness:

•Press <Fn> and the up-arrow key to increase brightness on the integrated display only (not on an external monitor).

•Press <Fn> and the down-arrow key to decrease brightness on the integrated display only (not on an external monitor).

Switching the Video Image

When you start the computer with an external device (such as an external monitor or projector) attached and turned on, the image may appear on either the computer display or the external device.

Press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image between the display only, the external device only, or the display and the external device simultaneously.

Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate

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: 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 display settings, note the current settings for future reference.

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 greater than that which the display supports, the settings adjust automatically to the closest supported values.

1.Click Start→ Control Panel→ Display→ Settings.

2.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.

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Contents Dell Latitude D420 Users Guide Abbreviations and AcronymsAbout Your Computer Front ViewDevice status lights Fingerprint reader optional Keyboard and network status lightsAudio connectors Left ViewRight View Network connector RJ-45 USB connectorsModem connector RJ-11 Video connectorBottom View Back to Contents Cleaning Your Computer AppendixMacrovision Product Notice FCC Notice U.S. OnlyFCC Class B Checking the Battery Charge Using a BatteryBattery Performance Dell QuickSet Battery MeterLow-Battery Warning Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Standby ModeReplacing the Battery Configuring Power Management SettingsCharging the Battery Hibernate ModeStoring a Battery Card Types Using CardsInstalling a PC Card or 34-mm ExpressCard Card Blanks Installing a Smart Card or Secure Digital SD Card Installing a PC Card Installing a 34-mm Express Card Removing a PC Card, 34-mm Express Card, or Blank Back to Contents Switching the Video Image Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Setting Display Resolution and Refresh RateSwapping Primary and Secondary Displays Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It HereDell Support Website support.dell.com Service Tag and Microsoft Windows LicenseGuides Select Drivers & Downloads and click GoOperating System CD Glossary Device driver See driver Docking device See APRPage Page NIC See network adapter Page Video resolution See resolution System tray See notification areaBack to Contents Obtaining Assistance Online ServicesGetting Help Ftp.dell.comAutomated Order-Status Service Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Support ServiceContacting Dell Diagnostics ChecklistBefore You Call Antigua and Barbuda0011 ArubaAustralia Sydney Website support.euro.dell.comCosta Rica China XiamenColombia Czech Republic PragueGermany Langen France Paris MontpellierCorporate GreeceJamaica GeneralItaly Milan Website support.jp.dell.comMexico MacaoWebsite support.ap.dell.com Malaysia Penang MontserratSt. Lucia Puerto RicoSt. Kitts and Nevis St. VincentWebsite support.ap.dell.com Thailand Website support.ap.dell.com Taiwan002 Trinidad/TobagoVirgin Islands VenezuelaUsing the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric KeypadKey Combinations Fingerprint Reader optional Power ManagementTouch Pad Speaker FunctionsChanging the Track-Stick Cap Customizing the Touch Pad and Track StickMouse Properties window Page Network Setup Wizard Setting Up a NetworkPhysically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Wireless Local Area Network WlanChecking Your Wireless Network Card Setting Up a New WlanWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining the Wireless Network Device ManagerConnecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WwanEnabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Under Pick a Help topic, click Dell User and System GuidesDell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator Internet Connection FirewallRecommended Tools Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Turning Off Your ComputerHard Drive Removing the Hard Drive Dismantling the Hard Drive Replacing the Hard Drive Hinge CoverKeyboard MemoryPage Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards Mini-CardsMobile Broadband Wwan Cards Page Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology Coin-Cell BatteryBack to Contents Dell QuickSet Securing Your Computer Using Smart CardsPasswords Security Cable LockUsing a Hard Drive Password Using a Primary/System PasswordUsing an Administrator Password Trusted Platform Module TPMSecurity Management Software Enabling the TPM FeatureUsing the Security Management Software Activating the Security Management SoftwareComputer Tracking Software If Your Computer Is Lost or StolenSystem Setup Screens System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screens Commonly Used SettingsEnabling the Infrared Sensor Performing a One-Time BootChanging COM Ports Locate Fast IR under Onboard DevicesPage Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Reinstalling SoftwareWhat Is a Driver? DriversSoftware and Hardware Incompatibilities Using the Drivers and Utilities CDManually Reinstalling Drivers Click Start→ Help and SupportUndoing the Last System Restore Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Restoring Your Operating SystemReinstalling Windows XP Using the Operating System CDEnabling System Restore Before You BeginSpecifications Audio CommunicationsVideo DisplayBattery AC AdapterPhysical EnvironmentalAbbreviations and Acronyms Start the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Transferring Information to a New ComputerClick Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Back to Contents Packing the Computer Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Travel TipsBack to Contents Dell Diagnostics TroubleshootingDell Technical Update Service When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsDell Diagnostics Main Menu Option FunctionDell Support Utility Drive ProblemsAccessing the Dell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support IconProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive CD and DVD drive problemsHard drive problems If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding soundMail, Modem, and Internet Problems Error MessagesVerify that the modem is communicating with Windows Page Click Start→ Control Panel→ Add or Remove Programs Ieee 1394 Device Problems Keyboard ProblemsExternal Keyboard problems Computer does not start up Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer stops respondingOther software problems Memory ProblemsNetwork Problems Solid blue screen appearsMobile Broadband Network PC Card or ExpressCard ProblemsWireless Local Area Network Wlan Restart the computer and log on to the network againPower Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your ComputerDocking Power Considerations AC Power Loss While the Computer Is Docked Printer ProblemsScanner Problems Docking While the Computer Is RunningNo sound from headphones Sound and Speaker ProblemsTouch Pad or Mouse Problems No sound from integrated speakersVideo and Display Problems If the display is blankIf the display is difficult to read Click Start→ Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes Adjust the Windows display settingsIf only part of the display is readable Connect an external monitor
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