using external monitor with Inspiron 1150

Hi,
I have decided to use my Insprion 1150, as a backup, and since the screen does not come on I have attached it to an external monitor. This set-up works fine, except that the monitor only comes on when the system is booting into windows, not allowing me to access the bios. Is there a way of getting the monitor to kick in right from the get go?
Thanks,
....... john

 

On some older machines like the D600 or D800, the system will default to an external display if you disconnect the internal display. I don't think such is the case for all machines of the era, but it's worth a try.

If that doesn't work, just spam F2 while it's booting, and it'll go into BIOS. Give it a minute or two and use the ext/int display toggle (Ctrl + F8 I think?) to push the output to the external display. Hopefully that'll work for you.

 

Hi Commander,
Thanks for the suggestion, but it didn't work ...... the screen just remains black. The screen will automatically start when windows starts, if I don't push F2.
Thanks,
..... john
P.S. You're close. The command is Fn + F8

 

Hi Tina,
When I press F2 the machine does not enter windows, but wouldn't that be because it goes to the bios?
..... john

 

Hi Commander,
I found a sort of solution to my problem at.......
Re: No Display on external monitor for Inspiron 1100. - Laptop Video Forum - Laptop - Dell Community I tried the magnet thing and it did indeed allow me to get into the bios, although it wasn't just a matter of sticking it onto the right spot.
.... john