HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

30,000 credits to anyone who gets this working for me...

I am trying to get dual screens with my Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop so I can extend it to my Samsung 32" LCD TV. I tried S-Video but the picture quality is horrible with the S-Video cable.

I heard VGA is the best quality, but my TV doesn't have a VGA port, only HDMI's. So I got a VGA-to-DVI adapter for my laptop, then I got a DVI-to-HDMI cable and connected that from my laptop to the TV. The TV is detecting that an HDMI cable is connected because "HDMI3" comes up as one of the inputs when I flip through the inputs, but it isn't getting a signal.

Why won't this work?

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

Did your laptop detect a connection between it and the TV and if that is the case then probably because the long route of cables that are between the Laptop and the TV. Have you seen a VGA-to-HDMI adapter before? I think they're around but hard to get your hands on. I think you can refer to either Google, or you could go to (if you have) your local Best Buy or Circuit City store and find assistance there. And if none of that works, call the manufacturer of the Laptop and ask them for advice. I'm sure they'll tell you everything that you need to know.

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

Thanks I'll try those.

On the back of the VGA-to-DVI adapter packaging it says:

Note: This adapter works with DVI-A (analog) and DVI-I (digital and analog integrate) cables. It DOES NOT work with DVI-D (digital) cables.

I'm guessing that is the problem?

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

Yeah that must be the problem because Televisions are digital in a way and chances are yeah that might be the problem but like I said, you could call the manufacturer of your laptop or go to Best Buy or Circuit City for help because I know we have certain cords that connect to HDMI TVs and work perfectly, mainly at school.

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

Seriously, am I the only one who gets irritated when people continuously use FFR's Chit Chat as a tech forum? More often than not, if you understand the basics, google it, or ask elsewhere on an actual forum designed for the purpose, you'll get the answer faster. I'm not here to help you with that crap, nor do I want your stupid credits.

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

Calm down. He's only asking for simple help. If you don't care about helping other people with their problems, just stay out of the thread.

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

This is not a tech forum, and I get tired of seeing that crap. This is a forum for discussion and chatting, not for "quick, gimme help with my problem and then I'll disappear".

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

Well consider this. We're chit chatting on how to get his laptop connected to his TV. Like I said, its nothing big. And to disappear? This guy has over 3000 posts. I don't think he's going anywhere.

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

I haven't seen him posting in Chit Chat lately.

It's not a big problem when it's one person. But it drives me bat**** insane when it happens nonstop. Think of who you're asking for help. Honestly.

I have to continuously suggest asking elsewhere, because like it or not, this has rarely been a good place to get technical advice or information.

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

You could ask the admins to make a Tech Thread. Other than that, I haven't noticed a thread that actually refers to problems with people's hardware. Just problems toward FFR.

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

You haven't seen a single thread where people ask for technical advice? There have been a lot of them. I think a tech thread would be a great idea, if people would use it, and I doubt very many of those who post that kind of topic would do so.

Re: HELP DUAL SCREENS - Dell Laptop -> Samsung TV
 

Wait, I meant Tech Forum. My bad. Got my words mixed up. And yeah, I've seen a ton of threads that ask for advice.