HP pavilion laptop won't boot and I can't see the screen because it is broken

[SPKaler]

I have the HP pavilion notebook windows 7 and I broke the screen about a year ago, so I can't see the boot menus. I have been using an external monitor and it has always worked well  but now I can't see how to fix my computer from starting.  I did a hard boot but nothing happened and by having a broken screen,  I can't see any of my options on how to fix it.  It won't start up.  It sounds like it is but since I can't see the F8 or Boot menus, I can't se what the screen may be saying to do.  PLEASE HELP. 

[SDF15 · Accepted solution]

Hello @SPKaler,

Welcome to the HP Forums, I hope you enjoy your experience! To help you get the most out of the HP Forums, I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.

I read your post about the issue with the notebook not starting, and wanted to assist you!  I understand that the screen is damaged, and you use the external monitor in order to view the screen.  However, now that the notebook will not start, you can no longer view the external screen to see what is going on.

From my understand, you should not be able to see an image on the external monitor, until you start the Operating System.  You can try to perform a System Recovery using this document: 

HP PCs - Performing an HP system recovery (Windows 7)

You may be able to follow along, long enough until the image is displayed on the external monitor.  Otherwise, you may consider contacting HP Phone Support, for additional options.

Please let me know if this information helps you resolve the issue by marking this post as "Accept as Solution", this will help others easily find the information they may be looking for.  Also, clicking the Thumbs up below is a great way to say thanks!

Have a great day!

[SPKaler]

I tried to do what you suggested but still nothing. I love could do the whole system recovery because I bought the disks I but then I will loose 5yrs of documents, pictures and everything. I am just going Heartsick! My whole life is on that computer and I don't know what to do. 

[SDF15]

Hello @SPKaler,

Thank you for the quick reply!

I completely understand.  If you are comfortable with the process, you can try to remove the Hard Drive, and turn it into an External Hard Drive.  Then you can use it to copy the files over to another PC.  If this sounds like a possibility for you, then you can use the following guide to help you with removing the Hard Drive: HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook PC - Maintenance and Service Guide (Chapter 4, Page 62-64).

Then you can try reviewing the following resource, to turn your Hard Drive into an External Hard Drive: How to Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop (Not an HP supported Web site).  I hope this helps.

Regards!

[SPKaler]

Nope. Cannot see the boot menu because my whole screen is gone. The complete top. I have the system recovery disks but can't use them either because I cannot see the screen. The boot menu will not show up on the external monitor either. This is a $1500 computer system and I have one that is alot cheaper than that and it does show the boot screen. This computer system cost way too much to just scrap it or throw it out, when all I need is to be able to see the screen from an external monitor from start up. PLEASE HELP.