Category: Geeks r Us
I have been googling for the answer and besides third party apps, I cannot find a way. To just simply turn off my screen and still use my laptop. Surely there is a script, command line, or something?
Any suggestions or where to point me?
Thanks!
If you're using Windows, try the power-up preferences in the control pannel. If you're using a Mac, there's a way to totally dim the screen but I forget how to do it. I remember it's a very simple command.
I've used monitor power for windows, and I believe the command for the mac is I wanna say function with f2 or f3? I'm not sure though.
Yeah. That's it. function 2 raises the brightness and function 1 lowers it.
that would also depend on your laptop. Some of them is functoin key plus f6 or f8, which switches your display to VGA (an external monitor). You can trick your computer so made it think you've plugged to an external monitor by plugging a VGA cable and perhaps having a monitor plugged in or something. Monitor power works well with windows, though some laptops are very slow and can freeze if you set the process priorities too high. This program i am not sure where it can be obtained anymore, though most people have it somewhere on their hard drives. i do have it or some other do, so just send privates messages shouold you wish to obtain a copy. Desktops are said to not freeze with this program as well as some compac laptops.
Hey all, I'm using a windows hp notebook. It is fn 7 and 8 for the screen dimness and brightness. It is fn 4 for the switching to other display. I've looked under the power settings, but I can't shut off the monitor and still use the laptop.
There is a third party software called lights out that I'm trying to read further about, to see if it'll do what I want.
Lol, I'm surprised there isn't a simple setting or key stroke.
Thanks for the input, I look forward to more...smile!
Fn? I thought that was only a Mac key. Don't you mean control or something?
I have a toshiba, I would like to turn my monitor off to.
no. windows have fn keys too.
I use Toshiba and they - as well as most PC laptops - have an fn key in order to access things like the numeric keypad, device lock and toggling wifi etc. In order to dim the screen on a Tosh, hold down the fn key and repeatedly press f6. This will only dim the screen not blank it. The "caveman" workaround is to disable "suspend on lid-close" then secure down the screen latch. I'll have a look for the more straightforward method later. Brian if you want to know what the fn combinations are let me know.
I have a dell labtop and can't find the fn key on the keyboard and also I can't find a way to shut off the screen.
erhm, the function key for a laptop is usually a blue colored key as far as I know, besides the alt and control or windows key. I would really like to see a monitor off on this laptop--it would save power tremendously, though when I use it in public it might confuse some people.... and as for the stand by workaround, i am unable to determine where the hinges or the latching parts are on this machine and would rather have a screen lol.
I forgot: At post 6: The program lights out is hardly downloadable at most and only to find it a surprise: You click on a switch and your monitor turns off. To turn it back on is very simple; Just press a key or move the mouse. This is on the program's documentation anyway. The program is extremely hard to get, but you can do it with a bit of effort thrown every once in a while. Unfortunately there has been nothing like monitor power for windows. I am not sure how or whom or when and the least where, and with what purpose was the program compiled--it just was something that spreaded around. I guess the laptops do not work well under the settings with the screens disabled because I guess "its not a bug, its a feature". Though it is strange to mention that they do not freeze at all when you close the lid and use an external keyboard. We could try and look for such kind of emulation software, which sends the computer the hardware messsage that your lid has been closed. Or, we could too, look for emulators which try to install sort of like a virtual external monitor... or the like... keep 'em ideas coming.
A virtual external monitor is a good thought. On my hp notebook, I can press fn f4 which switch between displays, but of course won't keep the screen off while not attached to another display.
I'm finding programs that'll let the screen be shut and laptop still in use, but all of them have the screen reactivated via moving the mouse or pressing a key. That would be no good for me, since I want to be able to use my keyboard.
It's funny, this seems like such a simple concept, but it is difficult to exicute.
Thanks all for the thoughts and discussion. I look forward to more!
I will upload the program soon so you can download it. monitor power.exe You run this file, and it shuts off your screen. YOur screen doesn't turn back on until you end the task in Windows task manager, or restart your computer.
For those of you with Toshibas, there should be an option in your control pannels to turn the monitors off. I'm running a Toshiba A100 notebook with Windows Vista and each of the power plans in my control pannel, has an option to turn the monitor off.
Jen.
would it be in xp as well Jen?? I have a 17 inch laptop so the number pad is there. I wonder when any of the screen readers will speak the fn functions to us. thanks for this topic!
OAFan that's not entirely correct. If u hit windows plus F3, it will turn the monitor back off, and Windows+F2 will turn it on.
Out of curiosity, are the notebooks different in some way? I mean with a desktop, you can just press the off button on a monitor. Is there more electronics hooked into a notebook display? For example, turning off the display may effect other apps? I was just wondering if that is the reason this isn't more simple.
Off to check out the program mentioned above.
th FN (function key) is only built in on certain laptops it has nothing to do with windows it is commands built in by the computer manfacture
Hi, I found this:
http://www.download.com/Monitor-Power-Off/3000-2347_4-10768630.html
I have not tried it yet, but it looks like what everyone has been talking about on this board.
I believe that's it.
I believe that it is NOT! Please read the description and lok at the lisencing information. First of all this program is a single executable file and thre is NO TRIAL> Secondly, here is the description you'll get: PC Monitor Power Off/Laptop Monitor Power off is a useful tool to save electricity and to save on bills. Power Monitor is a switch off software that can be just double-clicked to switch monitor power off and save on electricity.
With that said, why do i have to click when i can hit windows plus f3?
Just move the mouse or hit any key to enable the desktop. All tasks will continue to run in the background as usual. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
OK, OK. I thought that this is what we never hoped. Well, its just another ones that tell you to hit a key and the desktop is back on. The desktop! I wish they'd just say that pressing a key will turn it back on. Well, the sighted will not think of a way to turn on the screen indefinitely regardless of what is going on Why? because there is no logic for a sighted person to use their computer when they can't see what its there. Then we the blind should not apreciate the mute feature. Why would i mute a computer indefinitely when i cannot hear what i am doing? Unfortunately, muting the sounds doesn't save as much power as a screen does. If you are an avid use of the net you can look for a program called laptop battery doubler. This one is available on many sources besides the manufacturers and downloading websites and has made the screen on this laptop extremely dark, almost invisible. Not to mention that it will disable things that are not in use, like the USB ports. It can also disable the cd rom if you tell it to, or lower the reading speeds. This program tells you it will double your battery life, though I think an extra hour or hour and a half on most laptops would be the improvement. Still, a nice resource to have out there.
Hmmm, have to check that Laptop Battery Doubler thingy out...
Me too. Definitly sounds like something i wanna get.
Has anyone heard of softany monitor control?
http://www.softany.com/MonitorControl/
I wonder if it would do what we're all talking about.
Also, I've been writing back and forth with rt software. They said they could modify something so we could have black screen and still use the notebook. Activating said feature via a keyboard shortcut.
Let me know if y'all check out softany.
I am not sure why this program would cost money, but it does the same thing as the windows power options. you can specify what you wanna do via the context menus but when you hit the keystroke to turn off the monitor as soon as you hit another key it comes back on. Maye you can get a deal fixed with rt software.
I have hp or compaq laptop. My fn key is between the left control key and the windows start key. Does anyone know how to dim the screen, well turn it off preferably, on this kind of laptop please?
MIke,
Laptop Battery Doubler is awesome! You should really check it out.
Will do, thanks Jeff.
Harmony, I have a hp as well. Hit that fn key and the f7 to dim, f8 to brighten. No way that I know of to turn it off completely, which is why I started this descussion. *smile*
Hahahahaa! OK.
yup, laptop battery doubler, zoom and hare are quite helpful.
What are zoom and hare?
two additional programs made by that same company. They have anti-crash too though I haven't used it.