ConsumerTechBlog » Monitors http://www.consumertechblog.com Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:15:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 How to Remove Pen From Your LCD Monitor http://www.consumertechblog.com/tech-tips/how-to-remove-pen-from-your-lcd-monitor/ http://www.consumertechblog.com/tech-tips/how-to-remove-pen-from-your-lcd-monitor/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:34:34 +0000 John http://www.consumertechblog.com/?p=74 Where I work, there is a lot of people touching the LCD monitors that we use. Some are smart and use their fingers, while others, are not so smart and insist on using things like pens or markers to touch the screen. I know, it’s tough to watch. Most of the time the screen will not mark up, but there is always an instance that creates a pen, or marker, line on the screen itself.

If you have the same thing, you might be wondering how to remove the mark from your LCD monitor.

How To Remove Pen, or marker, From Your LCD Monitor

I noticed I small mark near the bottom of an LCD screen and originally thought it might be a scratch of some sort. Upon further investigation, I saw that it was in fact a short mark from a pen. When I rubbed it with my finger, it DID not come off so I was left wondering what I could use to remove it.

I searched the web today to see what other people suggested, because I wanted to see if what worked for me, was mentioned, so far, it was not. Some of the suggestions included:

  • Using rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip
  • Glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth
  • Hand soap or dishwasher soap on damp cloth
  • Hairspray and cloth

It seems that all of those suggestions worked fine, but none of them mentioned the tip that I have for you today. I grabbed a pencil with a new eraser and GENTLY “erased” the mark on the LCD screen. Please make sure that it is a NEW eraser as to not scratch your screen with any metal part of the pencil. Also make sure not to add too much pressure to the screen in the process. It did not take that much pressure for me to eliminate the pen mark.

Have you ever had to remove a mark on your LCD? Tell us your story below.

]]> http://www.consumertechblog.com/tech-tips/how-to-remove-pen-from-your-lcd-monitor/feed/ 9 How to Set Up Dual Monitors http://www.consumertechblog.com/tech-how-tos/how-to-set-up-dual-monitors/ http://www.consumertechblog.com/tech-how-tos/how-to-set-up-dual-monitors/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:35:37 +0000 John http://www.consumertechblog.com/?p=15 Do you have a newer computer? Maybe less than 3-4 years old? The reason I ask is because you might not be aware that you have a graphics card that is capable of setting up dual monitors on your system. You might not think that another monitor will do any good for you, but let me tell you from experience, that second piece of real estate is worth it. Of course, if you are not online all the time, like I am, then it might not even be useful to you.

I am online a lot of my free time and I cannot believe that I went so long without another monitor. Do you know what you need to have in order to set up dual monitors, besides two monitors? The first thing you need is 2 outputs on your video card. Either VGA or DVI outputs on your video card will work, but you do NEED to have two of them. To check this, it’s as easy as looking at the back of your computer and see if you have two outputs. There is NO reason to open your case at this point.

Do you have TWO outputs? If not, you need to buy a graphics card that is capable. You can check out Amazon for starters. If you do have two outputs, then read on. The second step is really just to make sure you have the right cables to complete the cast. You may need to get an adapter to go from DVI to VGA for one, or both, of your monitors. If you do not have the cables you can check out Amazon or Best Buy for them. You should be able to get them for around $20.

Ok, now you have the extra cable, monitor and a video card that can handle the two monitors. Once you have them both connected and powered up, you will have to change some display settings under your control panel. Here is the way you check the settings you need to change:

  1. Click “Start”
  2. Access your control panel
  3. Click the Display icon
  4. Go to the Settings tab
  5. Right in the center you can see “display” and there are TWO options (one for each output)
  6. Right under that you can simple check the box that says “extend my windows desktop onto this monitor”

Typically, if everything is connected, this is really all that you have to do. Under the same tab you can see your two monitors and select which one you want as your primary. And there you have it, another place to open more browsers, another program or whatever you feel like. I use my second monitor to have my email client, TweetDeck, Music, Photoshop all open while I can read, write and browse on my primary monitor.

It’s a great time saver and I really can feel the difference in my productivity. Give it a try and if you cannot afford a new monitor, ask around for a used one, you can usually get them for under $50, like I did.

Do you have a multi-monitor setup?

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