M17X R3 won't work without the LCD?

Hi, I have an Alienware M17X R3 that has been disassembled for a project and while giving it a test go, I could not get the computer to do anything else but turn on. Nothing displayed on my monitor, none of the activity lights lit up, etc. Heck, the fans didn't even spin. After attaching the original LCD onto the motherboard though, the computer operated just fine.

Is there a bypass that must be done or does the LCD have to be attached at all times?

Thanks in advance.

 

I had a similar problem with an acer computer I tried to turn into a headless laptop after the screen snapped. The machine would refuse to boot when the display was disconnected even if there was an external connected. I never found a work around and ended up pulling the controller board of the display and connecting that back to the laptop, it wasn't as clean and the laptop believes it still has the internal screen attached, but it does get the job done. Depending on how the LVDS works on the m17x there is probably a pin which could be soldered to allow for booting without the screen, but as I have never disconnected my screen I do not know.

 

Sweet. Thanks so much for the insight. I'll most likely just remove the controller board from the LCD so that I always have an easy way of reverting back to a laptop if needed.

 

I hate this solution, my M14x has the same issue, even though I've ordered a new screen, this is a pain.

 

I found on an M17X R3 that it wasn't even a requirement of the screen being attached it simply needs the cable plugged in, can be just the cable with nothing else attached. Haven't tried cutting just the plug off and seeing if that works but I feel like it may be a physical switch or pin that gets triggered by the plug being in and not an electronic connection.