I have a laptop (a toshiba satellite pro if it makes much difference) connected to an extra (newer bigger nicer) monitor as my secondary monitor.Depends on what sort of video you have on the laptop. I know ATI can do it, and I'm pretty sure nVidia can as well. If you're using Intel though there may not be an easy solution. Also a number of laptops (HP/Compaq do at least) have one of the function keys mapped to toggle/swap the internal and external displays on the fly.
Thanks, I've got it to load on the external monitor now - except I just get the black screen. I've copied my debug.err file here for you. Thanks for the help!
Debug Message: Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 5/28/2008, 15:37:54
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: ALGERNON
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
System Model: Satellite PRO L10
BIOS: Rev 1.0 XXX
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.40GHz
Physical Memory: 1006MB RAM
Page File: 462MB used, 812MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Intel(R) 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) 82852/82855 GM/GME Controller
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3582&SUBSYS_FF311179&REV_02
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4497
Driver Date: 2/7/2006 08:56:16
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Sony CAV-U5
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: USB\Vid_054c&Pid_005f&Rev_0100&MI_00
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: usbaudio.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.2180
Driver Date: 8/4/2004 00:07:56
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Sound device 1:
Description: Conexant AMC Audio
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_FF311179&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: camcaud.sys
Provider: Conexant
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.8355
Driver Date: 9/15/2004 16:01:14
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Could not create the render device using default format. Switching to 16bit
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Could not create the render device.
Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
I've tried both with fullscreen mode enabled and disabled, with the same result.