How to Plug in a Dell Monitor

by Bailey Granger

Overview

The monitor is the main screen for a computer. It is possible to attach more than one monitor to a computer or to attach a monitor to a laptop. Monitors connect to the computer with either a DVI or a VGA cable. The major difference is the DVI port will have a flat hole along with pinholes, while the VGA plug will just have 15 pinholes. Plugging in a Dell monitor is simple and will only take a few minutes.

Step 1

Turn off the computer that you are attaching the monitor to.
Step 2

Insert one end of the VGA or DVI cable into the video port on the computer. Insert the other end of the cord into the back of the monitor. The ends of the cable will have screws to turn to secure the cable into the computer and the monitor.
Step 3

Plug one end of the power cord into the monitor. Plug the other end into the wall.
Step 4

Turn the monitor and the computer on. The computer will automatically detect the monitor.

2
Monitor DVI cable or VGA cable Power cord Desktop or laptop computer
Monitor
DVI cable or VGA cable
Power cord
Desktop or laptop computer
Set the resolution of your monitor by opening the Control Panel and then Display Options. Chose the resolution you would like from the options provided. Also, you can "extend" your desktop to include both monitors. Find the settings in the display options or in the settings of your system's video card (Hit the "Start" button and select "Control Panel," or select "Programs" and find the program that controls the video card). Here, you can specify the arrangement of the extra monitor so the computer knows which direction your mouse must take to scroll to the secondary display.
Set the resolution of your monitor by opening the Control Panel and then Display Options. Chose the resolution you would like from the options provided.
Also, you can "extend" your desktop to include both monitors. Find the settings in the display options or in the settings of your system's video card (Hit the "Start" button and select "Control Panel," or select "Programs" and find the program that controls the video card). Here, you can specify the arrangement of the extra monitor so the computer knows which direction your mouse must take to scroll to the secondary display.