I have an HP Dv5-1235 with a broken LCD. How can I use an external monitor?

[Mild47]

As the subject suggests I have a broken LCD (cracked when I closed it the other day) and I would like to still use the laptop. Now the monitor is useless, I can't make out any shapes or read anything at all. Because of this I cannot log on and was wondering if there is any way to hook up an external monitor without having to log on first?

I am the only user account on the laptop. I have also bought and replaced the entire display and now, while the screen isn't a Pink Floyd background of colors, it still only gives me an all white screen. I have a ton of things stored on the laptop I want to retrieve and am about at my wits end with all of this.

[Danjen]

There should be a VGA 15 pin (3 rows) trapezoid shaped connector. If you have an older style monitor with that connector, you can just plug it in.  Hold the FN (function key) down and then tap the F4 key.  It should toggle you between the notebook screen, external screen and both screens weather you are in window or not.

Note page 16:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01613382.pdf

I would open the screen again and double check the connection from the cable to the screen.  That top connection is the most common mistake people make. Make sure it is in correctly.

[Mild47]

I have tried that before and I tried it once again referencing the manual you provided but for whatever reason the monitor for my desktop refuses to accept the commands. As soon as I hook up the laptop the desktop screen says it's "Entering Power Saving Mode" and will not detect any type of connection.

Hitting FN and F4 doesn't do anything either. I tried using an HDMI and hooking it up the the TV but have zero luck with that as well.

[Danjen]

When you have the broken screen up, can you attach the external monitor to it or are you only trying after the machine is off?

[Mild47]

Yes, the laptop is on when I hook up the external monitor. I use the laptop keyboard to hold down the Function key and press F4 but still nothing changes.

This may sound dumb but I don't need the external monitor hooked up to anything other than a power source, right? I have it plugged in to the wall and am running an 15 pin to the laptop. It seems at this point the powers of the known universe just don't want me to retrieve my iTunes.

[Danjen]

Am I possibly wrong on which function key you are suppose to press? Does it show the symbol for two monitors in the F4 key? Maybe we should be pressing the F5 or some other key?  Try laptopscreen.com and take a look at their replacement screen for less than $60 which included delivery.  They show a video of what it will take to swap the screen and they do offer a service to do it for you for a fee.

[Mild47]

No, you are correct, the F4 is the proper key to press. It has the display icon and everything. I checked out the site you recommended and they don't seem to have a video on doing exactly what I need to do or on the exact model that I have.

With just about everything in my life, I fall into this dumb small percentage of rare things that occur and are unfixable. I am just going to chalk this up as another one of those. I really appreciate your help and thank you.