Sony laptop with a cracked screen: can I switch to external monitor at boot?

**ilyaz** · 10-09-2014, 06:59 AM

I have a partially functional Sony PCG-7113L laptop. Partial since it seems to be booting but the screen is damaged so I can't see any output it sends there.

It has a standard VGA output that one can use to switch to an external monitor (like a projector) after it boots. But I want to do it right when I turn on the machine, for the external monitor to work as a replacement for the cracked screen. I tried the standard key combination but it did not work.

Question: is there any sort of trick to "blindly" switch to external output at boot? I googled it but did not find any definitive info that it can or cannot be done.

Thx

**t00nces2** · 10-09-2014, 07:15 AM

I have used my laptop as an input for my tv and as I remember, you just plug it in and it switches over to use the VGA monitor.

**afmedic279** · 10-09-2014, 07:21 AM

Have you tried to use the fn and f7 keys? During boot or afterwards? Also if it doesnt work try to power on laptop and close the lid with the external monitor connected

**ilyaz** · 10-09-2014, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by t00nces2

I have used my laptop as an input for my tv and as I remember, you just plug it in and it switches over to use the VGA monitor.

This was the 1st thing I tried. Did not work.

**ilyaz** · 10-09-2014, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by afmedic279

Have you tried to use the fn and f7 keys? During boot or afterwards? Also if it doesnt work try to power on laptop and close the lid with the external monitor connected

Tried both. No luck

**afmedic279** · 10-09-2014, 07:40 AM

What about replacing the lcd? Ebay and watch youtube for instructions.

**ilyaz** · 10-09-2014, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by afmedic279

What about replacing the lcd? Ebay and watch youtube for instructions.

Well, I have a dilemma. If only the screen is bad and everything else is fine then I might do that. But if it's bad in some other ways, it might not be worthwhile to fix the screen.

**miked** · 10-09-2014, 08:22 AM

Make certain the screen you are using is working. I know this is obvious and I am not intending to insult you but we all overlook things at times. Mike

**ryanw** · 10-09-2014, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by miked

Make certain the screen you are using is working. I know this is obvious and I am not intending to insult you but we all overlook things at times. Mike

I'll second that. A lot of the time, it's the cable that is the problem for me.

**ScrappinRed** · 10-09-2014, 11:38 AM

Most laptops have 3 monitor settings. Their screen only, output through their VGA/HDMI only, or output to both simultaneously. When you toggle between them you may not know where you are starting in that cycle, so be sure to toggle at least 3 times and be sure to pause for at least 3 seconds between each toggle. Also make sure the cable you are using is good, that one kills many times.

Not all laptops are function F7, so make sure the function key you are using has a picture that says CRT/LCD or a picture of a monitor...

And last but not least a lot of fancier laptops have a monitor out AND and monitor INPUT, so make sure you are connected to the monitor output of the laptop if it happens to have multiple VGA/HDMI connections.

**armygreywolf** · 10-09-2014, 08:03 PM

Above, but also, if the laptop has win 7 or vista if it was shut down improperly it will stop the booting process and ask you if you would like to start windows normally. you MUST press enter on some but not all machines or it will stay on that screen indefinitely, not all machines have a count down timer for this function. Start the machine, wait at least a minute until the hard drive activity ceases and press enter, it should then boot...that function key is probably not plug and play and requires the PnP feature with windows...just an fyi.

**ilyaz** · 10-09-2014, 09:16 PM

Good news: it worked. Not sure what I was doing wrong the first time I tried it, but pressing Fn-F7 finally worked. Seems to be a fully functional machine except for the screen.

By the way, elsewhere I was told that another way of forcing video output to the external port is by unplugging the cable that connects laptop's screen to the motherboard. Did not have a chance to try it so not sure whether that's actually true. But might give it a try next time.

**matador** · 10-09-2014, 11:50 PM

Some of those older Sony's have real finicky motherboard connectors. I did one in August that was just a loose cable. I'd check there before buying a screen from eBay. Also, take the old one out first. Sometimes, looking up the screen model on eBay is easier and will find better prices (Especially with Sonys- they seem to have two model numbers on some units).

Sony laptops are kind of weird.

**armygreywolf** · 10-10-2014, 01:00 AM

Now pull the screen and let me know what model the laptop is...I've been storing laptop screens...and I have 5 different sony screens

**ilyaz** · 10-10-2014, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by armygreywolf

Now pull the screen and let me know what model the laptop is...I've been storing laptop screens...and I have 5 different sony screens

Thanks army, but I've decided -- for now -- to sell it as is rather than fixing it. Just because I need to process a large lot of machines and I have bigger fish to fry that this one. But if noone buys it, I might reconsider, so I'll ping you if I decide to fix it.

**armygreywolf** · 10-11-2014, 10:03 PM

or sell it to me...

**ilyaz** · 10-12-2014, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by armygreywolf

or sell it to me...

Maybe next time. This one went pretty quickly on eBay

Sony laptop with a cracked screen: can I switch to external monitor at boot?

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