jdonaghe
asked on
Laptop Dual Display Primary Screen Broken
My laptop is setup on a dual display for windows XP. The primary laptop display is now broken and I can't log into windows. How can I turn off the dual display and use the external monitor?
Right click on desktop, go to Settings, and there's a display label with a dropdown...change settings...then restart with the external monitor plugged in and laptop should automatically direct display to that one
ASKER
I can't get to the desktop. It is stuck at the login screen I believe. The lcd is cracked so I can't see where to click and login.
Try restarting in safe mode. On your notebook - usually used wit your function key - should be a 'monitor switch' button. Try pressing it until your external display is used. In the device manager you can now remove your external monitor and reboot. Now when you boot you can do the same with with the 'monitor switch' button because windows should no longer be extended to your second monitor.
Good luck.
Good luck.
ASKER
When I try safe mode the display shows on the external monitor, but safemode does not come up with the login screen for the admin. It just has Safemode in the four corners of the screen. The primary LCD that is cracked is not powered on.
Is there a VGA mode options when you hit F8?
if you have an external monitor plugged in, toggle with usually fn/f5...may have to hit once or twice...
ASKER
There is a toggle, but it is not working in safe mode or normal mode. I think it is because of the dual monitor setting when it is in normal mode. Is there a way I can change the settings by using the windows xp disk?
Try booting without your monitor attached and then again with it. Hopefully this will disable the extended screen and help solve your issue with the screen toggle. You may also want to try a different monitor to help do this.
Good luck.
Good luck.
ASKER
I can't get the toggle to work in safe mode. I took the drive out and hooked it up to another computer via usb to run a scan disk on it and a defrag. Hopefully this will fix the issue of it not booting completely into safe mode.
Try using a different monitor if possible.
that was going to be my next suggestion: take drive out and place another in the computer to see if its the computer or hard drive that's giving you problems...
ASKER
I did use another available monitor, but no luck. I did place an order for a new LCD screen though.
Good. Replacing your screen is the best solution unless you only want to use your notebook as a desktop.
Good luck.
Good luck.
can you use radadmin or some other networking tool to get on the machine? i don't know if crossover cable will allow you to get on desktop...can you remote into the machine?
Maybe you can use remote desktop to install a VNC client (so you can access the actual computer) and then change what you need.
Good luck.
Good luck.
radmin...excuse typo...and this will allow you to make changes, get on actual machine...i have all my computers hooked up to it...
ASKER
radmin. So if the computer is on the network I can install the software remotely? And then manage the desktop?
ASKER
I have logmein on the computer, but the service is not starting.
absolutely...set it up and you work on your desktop/ cpu in real time...meaning if you move mouse on other cpu, it will move on broken cpu...just give yourself full privileges...
ASKER
how do I install the server portion of radmin to the broken computer?
very carefully...can you decipher anything on the cracked screen?
ASKER
nope. It is all sorts of colors. can't make out anything.
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