External monitor broken laptop during bootClosed

Question

There is a similar thread (for some reason on webmastering forum):
https://ccm.net/forum/affich-81726-external-monitor-to-broken-laptop-screen

Essentially, I have a laptop with a broken screen, and I want to convert it to a Linux headless server box. The problem is that I can't make the external monitor come up during bot up (therefore, I can't get into BIOS to switch booting sequence to start from DVD).

Any ideas? the laptop is a very nice HP G60...

Warez · Accepted Answer

OK, I've been trying to figure this one out myself for quite some time, as I too have a G60 with a broken monitor, thanks to my sister's children.  Anyway, the only way I've been able to get it to boot straight to my external monitor is by removing all the screws in the bottom (including the ones underneath the battery, hard drive, etc.  and then you will want to unplug the LCD display after removing the bezel around the keyboard (use a flathead screwdriver to pop it off) and then look inside, right next to where you plug in your external monitor.
You will see a black ribbon cable with a long white plug.  Unplug that, that's your LCD display. (this info will also come in handy if you come across a replacement display, you'll already know where it connects)  Once you boot your computer back up, mine was set on a 0 wait on bootup, so I kept hitting F10 (on an external USB keyboard with the lid closed) and the BIOS came up, on my external.  I changed the wait for key press to 10 seconds, so it has plenty of time to show up on the external monitor, now the POST screen shows up on the external monitor, even with the laptop lid wide open.  Hope this helps.

Mattsegura · Answer

Have you tried plugging in the external display, opening the laptop, switching it on, and then imediatly closing it? that way the computer detects the connected display & not the one built in to your laptop.

Phoenix · Answer

Two options.  Connect the external monitor. Turn on laptop.  You should see the acer logo on the external monitor.  Press the F8 key right before the windows start up screen appears.  You can then hit safe mode or better still below that is VGA mode.  VGA mode should allow you to then see your desktop.  If so go to the start menu.. control panel, monitors and displays then to setting where you may be able to switch to the external monitor.

Option 2 - and this worked perfect for me was to start the computer and then hit ctrl>Alt>F1 at the same time. Wait a minute.  Your external monitor should pop up with a perfect desktop of your laptop.

Mike · Answer

Most HP and Compaq laptops will allow you to switch to the external monitor with a function key.  I let my old laptop boot to the bootup screen (either for the system password or for the windows password) while both internal and external screens are blank (the hard drive stops spinning).  Then I hold down the function key [fn] which is next to the Control Key [Ctrl] and I press the f4 key once or twice to activate the external monitor.  My f4 key has an icon on it that looks like a small monitor similar to |o|.  I am then able to use the external monitor.  For the best video, you may need to go into monitor properties to select the best driver for your external monitor.

Hope this helps.

External monitor broken laptop during boot

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