I have a 10 year old HP laptop that I have used off and on, and it has my camera pictures, music files, some videos, etc.  The screen finally crapped out the other day.  I've tried hard restarting the laptop, but it may or may not get to the login spot.  I tried plugging an HDMI cable to the laptop and TV, to bypass the screen, but I don't know if I have to be logged in first.

 

Is there a way to see on the laptop without the laptop's screen before I move on with it?

 

The other option I'm hoping works is that I have the internal hard drive put in one of those console containers and turn it into an external hard drive.  Would that work on a laptop that old?

On 8/24/2022 at 8:22 AM, mr_hunt said:

does anyone know of a good, reliable, FREE app for doing a video conference (like on teams or zoom)?  i have 1 guy in my fantasy league who will be out of town so i wanted to see if there's a way for him to follow the draft & make his picks remotely.  zoom only gives you 40 minutes for free. 

Too late now, but someone with a GMail account can set up a Google Meet, and it is unlimited time.  You can send it to non-Gmail accounts.  I've done Google Meets with friends in other states for the NFL Draft before.

8 hours ago, xzmattzx said:

I have a 10 year old HP laptop that I have used off and on, and it has my camera pictures, music files, some videos, etc.  The screen finally crapped out the other day.  I've tried hard restarting the laptop, but it may or may not get to the login spot.  I tried plugging an HDMI cable to the laptop and TV, to bypass the screen, but I don't know if I have to be logged in first.

 

Is there a way to see on the laptop without the laptop's screen before I move on with it?

 

The other option I'm hoping works is that I have the internal hard drive put in one of those console containers and turn it into an external hard drive.  Would that work on a laptop that old?

I'm pretty sure it can be done without having to log in. I used to be able to do it on one of my old laptops. You have to hit the FN key and then it's something like F4 which has a symbol with 2 screens. You can normally keep bashing that button and it will change it over from dual to mirror and you should be able to log in under mirror. 

36 minutes ago, Mat said:

I'm pretty sure it can be done without having to log in. I used to be able to do it on one of my old laptops. You have to hit the FN key and then it's something like F4 which has a symbol with 2 screens. You can normally keep bashing that button and it will change it over from dual to mirror and you should be able to log in under mirror. 

Thanks, I'll give that a try

On 9/22/2022 at 9:30 PM, Mat said:

I'm pretty sure it can be done without having to log in. I used to be able to do it on one of my old laptops. You have to hit the FN key and then it's something like F4 which has a symbol with 2 screens. You can normally keep bashing that button and it will change it over from dual to mirror and you should be able to log in under mirror. 

I actually was able to get the screen working, after I had gotten the screen to work on the TV with the HDMI cable.

 

Now I have to figure out what cartridge fits the internal hard drive when taken out and used as an external hard drive

On 9/24/2022 at 2:52 PM, xzmattzx said:

I actually was able to get the screen working, after I had gotten the screen to work on the TV with the HDMI cable.

 

Now I have to figure out what cartridge fits the internal hard drive when taken out and used as an external hard drive

If the screen is on you can always look to back it up to another drive first? 

Plug it in with a HDMI and set up screen mirroring on your TV so if it drops out you can at least see how the transfer is going.