It’s an old Dell that was kindly given to me, but the screen is now completely dead (was going dim tbh). I have hooked it up to an external monitor, but it’s configured to use 2 screens in extended desktop mode, not in mirroring mode!

Oh, Woe is me… 😥

I really need this for work tonight.

Trouble is, external monitor is recognised, but I can’t login to the lappy, so it’s stuck in the Windoze login screen.

HEEEEEEEEELLLPPPP!!!!!!!

there’s normally a blue function key + another key on the keyboard to swicth between screen settings on dell.

you could also try F1 when booting and manually switch it on the bios to the extrenal monitor?

Bury it. It’s dead.

(Sobs uncontrollably)

Function button + F4 should toggle between modes for your external monitor.

Also, you should be able to log in still – your id should default so just type your password and press [Enter]

Which Model is it ?

As wwawas said, press and hold the FN key (usually blue and bottom left of the keyboard) and look for the Function key which has either LCD\CRT or a picturre of two screens on it. Press that also.
F2 or F4 as i recall, this should toggle between Dual Monitors (with extended desktop) Laptop screen only, or External Monitor only.
Each time you do it, it may take a couple of seconds for eather screen to respond.

If you’ve not yet re-booted the thing yet, I’d also do that as these keys mean different things once the machine has re-booted with the external monitor plugged in.

Cale

Fn and the F key with a picture of a little monitor or similar on it

it’ll toggle between 3 modes ie. lcd only/lcd+output/output only

Tried the Fn+ monitor/ LCD/CRT thingies, not working.

HEEEEELLLPPP!

Can I get itno the bloody thing, using my other PC?

only if it’s setup to allow remote desktop access which if you’ve nto done it before is unlikely.

restart with the screen plugged in

if that fails restart whilst pressing f8 (select safe mode if prompted). this will start it in a very basic mode (no support for split destktop)

On my Dell laptop it’s F8 for the CRT/LCD switch, with the blue FN key.

Open window, pick up laptop, throw laptop out of window, sorted.

How are you typing this then ?

GaryM’s option is soooooo tempting…

taki; on me Mac, iinnit??!?!

I have several computers. ATM, looks like I might have to drag a bloody great iMac down to work…

Hang on a minute lads, I’ve got a great idea….

PANIC OVER!

I managed, somehow,to be able to login, but the thing was set to ‘extended dekstop’, so I couldn’t access the Control Panel! Had to open a new folder on the extended space, then somehow mmanaged to access the CP that way, don’t ask me how…

Switched off the ED feature, and hey presto! All on the big screen!

I’m using a projector anyway, so it’s actually easier like this.

Thanks for all those who offered help, though.

Not PeterPoddy, mind, because that was not helpful at all, and quite frankly, rather silly and immature.

Actually, I think now might be the time to reveal that the screen died, due to, erm, a slight accident… 😯

I managed, somehow,to be able to login

This translates to ‘I wasn’t logging in right in the first place and then noticed I was doing it wrong’ 😉