Hp pavilion dv5 how do I set external monitor as default screen? Broken lcd

Ok so someone gave me a pavilion dv5 laptop because the screen was cracked and for some reason a new laptop screen for this model cost over $200 which does not make sense at all. There are some brand new laptops that don't cost that much like a chrombook. Ok so I want to use it on my external monitor. I see the hp logo and can get to the bios through a vga cable. But the second I try to do anything that doesn't have anything to do with the bios the screen the monitor goes black. There is no default monitor settings in the bios and I have tried removing the screen entirely but it does not change a thing. I just want it to act like a desktop computer. I have tried some fn keys and then f4 but that does not do anything. The hard drive in it is one of my formatted ones so I cant install windows because I need a screen. It seems like is would be so simple because its just a motherboard in a case when you think about it. I unplugged the lcd from the motherboard. just to be sure still with no luck. What can I try? And yes the f4 key does have the |[]| symbol. Thats the key people say help by pressing fn then that but it does not do anything for me.

 

Plug in external monitor, keyboard and mouse. Turn on power and immediately close the lid, then it should default to external devices.

keep fn pressed while you press the monitor symbol, not one by one.