Connecting My Laptop to my TV

wfgiles1 · 01-23-2009, 10:58 AM

I've tried everything that I can think of. I have an Inspiron E1705 and bought a VGA cable that connects correctly both to the computer and my Sansui TV. However, when I go to the "component" channel on my TV, it continues to come up blank and then after a while of waiting will say "NO SIGNAL OR NOT SUPPORTED VIDEO RESOLUTION". Can anyone help me with this because I really want it to work! Thanks

W

yustr · 01-23-2009, 12:11 PM

Welcome to TSF...

A couple of things to do: make sure your laptop is set to a resolution that the TV can accept. The owner's manual should list them. Then make sure you hit the function button on the laptop that tells it to send the signal out to an external monitor. Most all lappy's have a function key that cycles the output through: laptop>external monitor>both.

Now you need to set the TV to the VGA input not component. Your TV will have a source button or access it through the menu.

Do those things and you should be GTG.

wfgiles1 · 01-23-2009, 03:49 PM

Alright so I found the menu where it cycles through the options. One option is the normal one that I have for my computer, the next one makes everything huge and the third is a black screen of nothing. And also I couldn't find where to change the resolution of the computer. Ideas? Thanks

W

yustr · 01-24-2009, 07:40 PM

Do this first: If you're using windows just right click on an open area of the desktop. Got to "Properties", then "Settings" then "Screen Resolution". Move the slider to a resolution that the TV supports.

Now go to the TV and hit "Source" until you get to VGA.

Find the function key on the laptop that cycles through the screens. It should be Fn+F8 - press Fn then while holding it down press F8.

You should be in business.

wfgiles1 · 01-25-2009, 11:04 AM

So I did what you said and checked out the resolution on the computer, but I am having some trouble figuring out what the resolution on my tv is. And also when I am sorting through my sources on my tv I only have the following choices.

Analog
Digital
Video 1
Video 2
Component

On the back of the TV where the VGA cord is plugged in it says component, but I have bee filing through all of them anyway. The whole function key thing I think I have, but with out the manual, do you know where I could find the resolution for my TV? Thanks

W

**magnethead** · 01-25-2009, 04:11 PM

try 640x480 and go up from there is all I can say. If's it's widescreen, 1280x720 would be the first choice.

01-23-2009, 10:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
wfgiles1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Connecting My Laptop to my TV I've tried everything that I can think of. I have an Inspiron E1705 and bought a VGA cable that connects correctly both to the computer and my Sansui TV. However, when I go to the "component" channel on my TV, it continues to come up blank and then after a while of waiting will say "NO SIGNAL OR NOT SUPPORTED VIDEO RESOLUTION". Can anyone help me with this because I really want it to work! Thanks W

01-23-2009, 12:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 5,984 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Connecting My Laptop to my TV Welcome to TSF... A couple of things to do: make sure your laptop is set to a resolution that the TV can accept. The owner's manual should list them. Then make sure you hit the function button on the laptop that tells it to send the signal out to an external monitor. Most all lappy's have a function key that cycles the output through: laptop>external monitor>both. Now you need to set the TV to the VGA input not component. Your TV will have a source button or access it through the menu. Do those things and you should be GTG. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

01-23-2009, 03:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
wfgiles1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: Connecting My Laptop to my TV Alright so I found the menu where it cycles through the options. One option is the normal one that I have for my computer, the next one makes everything huge and the third is a black screen of nothing. And also I couldn't find where to change the resolution of the computer. Ideas? Thanks W

01-24-2009, 07:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 5,984 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Connecting My Laptop to my TV Do this first: If you're using windows just right click on an open area of the desktop. Got to "Properties", then "Settings" then "Screen Resolution". Move the slider to a resolution that the TV supports. Now go to the TV and hit "Source" until you get to VGA. Find the function key on the laptop that cycles through the screens. It should be Fn+F8 - press Fn then while holding it down press F8. You should be in business. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

01-25-2009, 11:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
wfgiles1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: Connecting My Laptop to my TV So I did what you said and checked out the resolution on the computer, but I am having some trouble figuring out what the resolution on my tv is. And also when I am sorting through my sources on my tv I only have the following choices. Analog Digital Video 1 Video 2 Component On the back of the TV where the VGA cord is plugged in it says component, but I have bee filing through all of them anyway. The whole function key thing I think I have, but with out the manual, do you know where I could find the resolution for my TV? Thanks W

01-25-2009, 04:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
magnethead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 3,568 OS: Vista ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Connecting My Laptop to my TV try 640x480 and go up from there is all I can say. If's it's widescreen, 1280x720 would be the first choice. __________________ For proper support: what are you running? graphics, cpu, m/board, ram, PSU brand wattage PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER . Bench Testing Your System