Laptop: Broken screen (Windows 7)

[nyjohn1]

IMO Windows is huge pain when dealing with more than 2 screens. At work I have 3 screens and occasionally when I take out my laptop from docking station, it messes up the settings. Takes 5-10 minutes get it back to my original.

But that is not my question. At home I have a cracked laptop screen that no longer works. I have connect this laptop to my tv and am trying to use it as a htpc. My issue is I have not been able to find settings that disable the laptop screen, and for windows to ONLY use my tv as primary screen. The reason I need to disable the laptop screen is that when I have my laptop open (I need this to use the keyboard/mouse of the laptop), the tv screen is OFF (windows is thinking I'm using the laptop screen that is dead). Essentially I'm in a situation in which if I want to use laptop/keyboard, the default setting is the laptop screen. Right now I have to get the laptop lid closed, but barely open it for me to use the touchpad/keyboard.

What I'm looking for...

-Registry setting or permanently way of disabling the laptop screen.
-Permanent setting that always defaults the tv monitor instead of the laptop screen.
-I'm only going to use XBMC (windows to boot directly), and would prefer not to have setup the settings every time I turn it on.
-If above is not possible, anyway of setting Windows to think the lid is always closed?

Thanks,
John

 

[Dude]

There is a switch in the laptops bevel, short it to have always closed , check power options to see if that helps

 

[Kari]

Hi John, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Are you saying that even if you select to use the secondary display only, the TV in your case, Windows does not keep that selection?

​

Kari

 

[nyjohn1]

Hi Kari - Thank you for the reply. I'm not in front of my computer right now, but I have tried that. Played many different combinations, and the settings never stick.

Dude - Are you referencing the always stay on option? I have set that up, so that when I close my lid, the computer does not sleep or shutdown.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

a possibly tangential solution, but what about getting a USB keyboard and mouse and keeping the lid closed?

If you just intend to use it with XMBC (that if I understand correctly means it's basically a media center) I suggest to get your hands on one of these.

Another option is disassembling it a bit to detach the screen cable, so that it no more detects a screen. It's usually relatively easy to reach that spot.

 

[Faladu]

I suspect Windows 7 is detecting the screen on every boot and thus adding it, so yeah pop it open and remove the likely flex cable to the built-in monitor, may need to remove some screws to get at it under the keyboard.

Whatever your laptop model is, I would look the info up and hopefully find one with some pictures to go by.

Otherwise, FN + F3 or whatever the laptop uses to switch monitors is what you will probably have to do or the other option of having the laptop monitor replaced.

Disable on-board monitor is probably not a bios feature.

 

[TVeblen]

Try this:
Open Device Manager > Expand Monitors > Find "Generic PnP Monitor" (that will be the laptop screen) > Right click on it > Disable.

Be sure the external monitor is working or you will have a very bad day.