Retrieving information from a laptop with a bad monitor

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by DallasCowboysFan, Dec 6, 2016.

  1. 1. Thanks, it seems to be working now. I must have checked that site 5 times. That takes care of this problem.

    5. I figured this one out too. It was the control panel not my pc.
    I went to all apps, windows system, expanded and then pinned to start. Too easy. But then, everything is easy if you know how to do it.

    6. I went to this link on youtube and learned how to stop the tiles from appearing on Google.

    That takes care of number 6.

    ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG1WZr4d_jI





    Half way there.....
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2016
    #11     Dec 7, 2016
  2. All the laptops I've worked on are HP. These have a little hatch on the bottom of the case that's easily opened with a Phillips screwdriver. The hard drive sits in the well under the hatch and can be lifted free and disconnected by just unplugging.
    If the laptop is old enough it may not be SATA.
     
    #12     Dec 7, 2016
    DallasCowboysFan likes this.
  3. H2O

    H2O

    Stop Chrome from asking to save passwords
    By default, Chrome offers to save your password. You can turn this option off or on at any time.

    1. On your computer, open Chrome.
    2. At the top right, click More [​IMG] [​IMG] Settings.
    3. At the bottom, click Show advanced settings.
    4. Under "Password and forms," uncheck the box next to "Use Smart Lock for Passwords to remember passwords for apps and sites" or "Offer to save your web passwords"
     
    #13     Dec 7, 2016
    DallasCowboysFan likes this.


  4. Thanks, I've been there a thousand times and never paid attention to that box.
    I go there (Settings - Advanced) 2,3 times a month to clear my history, delete unnecessary search engines and content settings. It's amazing how many cookies find their way to our computers. I feel like I gotta clean it out from time to time, to keep it in top form.

    Anyhow,

    I returned to Best Buy to get the model number of the computer and a new graphics card.
    I can't read the model number on the back of the laptop because it is scratched and faded, so Best Buy researched it on their network for me. I honestly don't understand why the manufacturers have a landscape that is 15 inches diagonal and then choose to print the model number and serial numbers in font size 1. Then print it on a surface that is flush with the table you are using, ensuring the details will be damaged.


    I'd still like to replace the graphics card : AMD Radeon HD 8400. Best Buy did not have any, they don't have any online and I can't find a similar one on Amazon. I know they frequently change model numbers when they change a characteristic of the components, but it should still be something similar. How can I cross check to see which graphic cards will fit the laptop?


    If I am going to go to the trouble of replacing the graphics card I may as well upgrade the RAM as well. It's currently installed with 4GB DDR3L SDRAM (1DIMM). With 2 user slots. It has the capacity for as much as 8GB. Is this what I need, assuming I can find the graphics card? It doesn't say L, but I can't find anything identical to the RAM that was described.

    PNY - Performance 2-Pack 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SoDIMM Laptop Memory Kit - Green

    $ 44.99


    [​IMG]
    PNY - Performance 2-Pack 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SoDIMM Laptop Memory Kit - Green
    PNY Performance 2-Pack 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SoDIMM Laptop Memory Kit: Compatible with Mac and Windows; 8GB DDR3 So...

    I know the laptop is quite basic, but I have never replaced or upgraded anything on a laptop and it would be a fun project if I can find the right components.

    Thanks!
     
    #14     Dec 8, 2016
  5. Well, I twittered HP and they told me that I can't replace the graphics card , I have to replace the entire motherboard. Wayyyy, too much trouble for the value of the laptop.

    So, I can forget about the graphics card and the new RAM. It's too bad, it would have been a fun project to do.

    I guess I'll just transfer the files and trash it.

    Even if it was a low end laptop, it should have lasted more than 16 months.
     
    #15     Dec 9, 2016
  6. ELo

    ELo

    What model is your old laptop ?
    Do you have a VGA out ?
    Do you have a hot key to switch external monitor on ? (usualy FN+Function Key)
     
    #16     Dec 11, 2016
    DallasCowboysFan likes this.
  7. It is a 15 inch HP 15-f305dx


    Product Name 15-f305dx


    Product Number N5Y24UA

    Microprocessor 2.0GHz AMD Quad-Core A6-5200 APU

    Microprocessor Cacje 2MB L2 Cache

    Memory 4GB DDR3L SDRAM (1 DIMM)

    Memory Slots 2 user accessible

    Video Graphics AMD Radeon HD 8400 graphics

    Display 15.6-inch diagonal HD BrightView WLED-backlit display (1366x768)

    Hard Drive 500GB 5400RPM hard drive

    Multimedia Drive SuperMulti DVD burner

    Network Card Integrated 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet LAN

    Wireless Connectivity 1x1 802.11b/g/n WLAN

    Sound HD Audio with stereo speakers

    Keyboard Full-size island-style keyboard with numeric keypad

    Pointing Device Touchpad supporting multi-touch gestures without on/off button

    External Ports

    Multi-Format Digital Media Card Reader

    2 SuperSpeed USB 3.0, 1 supporting USB Boost

    1 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0

    1 HDMI

    1 RJ-45 (LAN)

    1 Headphone-out/microphone-in combo jack

    Dimensions 0.89 in (H) x 15.18 in (W) x 10.16 in (D)

    Weight 4.82 lb

    Power 45W AC adapter 3-cell 31WHr 2.8Ah lithium-ion polymer battery

    ID Mech Description Front facing VGA Webcam with integrated digital microphone

    ---

    No VGA out

    I tried a couple of things while I was hooked up to the tv including WIN+P but nothing worked.


    I tried turning my laptop back on this afternoon just in case it 'healed itself' and was working for me today unlike last week. It still was not working....I tried flipping the lid up and down numerous times hoping that if there was a short, that I would be able to find a point where everything connected. It didn't work.

    But I did notice that if I looked very carefully I could see all the shortcuts on the desktop. They looked like shadows on a dark night. But I could see enough to see the pointer , settings or other details that I needed to transfer the data.


    Thanks
     
    #17     Dec 11, 2016
  8. ELo

    ELo

    Have you tried pressing the key with the monitor icon ?
    To toggle between built in display and external display.
    You may or may not need to press the FN key.
    [​IMG]

     
    #18     Dec 11, 2016
    DallasCowboysFan likes this.
  9. ELo

    ELo

    From the User Guide
    -----
    1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the computer.
    2. Connect the other end of the cable to the high-definition TV or monitor.
    3. Press f4 to alternate the computer screen image between 4 display states:
    ● PC screen only: View the screen image on the computer only.
    ● Duplicate: View the screen image simultaneously on both the computer and the external device.
    ● Extend: View the screen image extended across both the computer and the external device.
    ● Second screen only: View the screen image on the external device only.
    Each time you press f4, the display state changes.

    User Guide
    http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04784770
    Repair Manual
    http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04763999
     
    #19     Dec 11, 2016
    DallasCowboysFan likes this.


  10. I tried hooking it back up to the tv again but I never got the laptop to view on the tv.
    I tried pushing F4 like you suggested but nothing happened.

    I could hear a humming sound when I pushed it but that was as close as I could get to success.

    I wonder if my problem is related to having a crappy low end laptop or if the problem could happen to any laptop.

    Generally, speaking I think that more money is a better product but it is not always true. I read on a forum recently that 1/10 motherboards will be bad when you pull them straight out of the box.

    The guy at Best Buy told me that the laptops from HP and Dell were both made at the same factory in China. I don't know, but I don't doubt it.

    Maybe reliability is not a function of spending more money, maybe it is just luck. Dependent on what kind of a mood the guy in China happens to be in when our laptops get assembled. My laptop was not assembled by Foxconn (Apple) but the environment is probably not any better.

    My first laptop lasted 4,5 years. This one lasted 16 months.

    I don't expect to be using my new one for 5 years unless it becomes a backup, but I certainly hope it lasts longer than 16 months.




    Thanks for your help.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2016
    #20     Dec 12, 2016