hi,
connection external screens to your laptop can give troubles sometimes.
when the lid of the notebook is open and the resolutions of both screens are different it's a real pain to get them right all the time. After a reboot or a use without the screen the configuration is messed up again.
Are u intended to use the Laptop screen and the external screen simultaneous, or more that u are not using the laptop screen when the external screen is connected?
if u don't want to use them simultaneous then just put the power settings of the notebook to "Do nothing" when i close the lid of the computer, close the lid and set the resolution to the ideal resolution of the external screen and everything should be ok.
When u want to use them simultaneously it depends on the video card + the drivers on how to set it up. I'll need more information to be able to help u with that. But keep in mind that it will be a huge struggle.
regards
otta