Retrieving information from a laptop with a bad monitor

DallasCowboysFan · Dec 7, 2016

vanzandt said:
To get rid of Ghosty popping up, you were close when you found the 3 second setting. Its right above it. Uncheck that box (as I have below) right under "Purple Box".

View attachment 168630

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.....

stevegee58 · Dec 7, 2016

DallasCowboysFan said:
I looked at this closer and the SATA hard drive adapter looks like something on the back of my old desktop. But I don't have one of those on my laptop. Are you suggesting that if I removed the back of the laptop and removed the hard drive that I would be able to attach it ?

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.

H2O · Dec 7, 2016

DallasCowboysFan said:
I bought a new 15 inch HP laptop last night.
The monitor went out on the old one.......18 months old.
I am trying to set up the new one.
I got rid of all the bloat ware and I am trying to reset it with new subscriptions to MSFT Office, Malware Bytes, Spybot, RegSeeker, Google Ghostery and AdblockPlus.
And lots of bookmarks.

It takes a long time to set up a new computer the way you want it.

A few questions.....

2. Every time I type in a password Google asks me if I want to save it and I keep saying never. Their AI logarithm is not very bright because after 100x you would think it would learn. Is there any way I can permanently prevent Google from asking me...I will never want Google or anyone else to save my passwords. I searched but did not find the Wizard to tell me how to get rid of it.

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.

On your computer, open Chrome.
At the top right, click More

Settings.
At the bottom, click Show advanced settings.
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"

DallasCowboysFan · Dec 8, 2016

H2O said:
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.

On your computer, open Chrome.

At the top right, click More

Settings.

At the bottom, click Show advanced settings.

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"

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

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!

DallasCowboysFan · Dec 9, 2016

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.

ELo · Dec 11, 2016

DallasCowboysFan said:
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.

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)

DallasCowboysFan · Dec 11, 2016

ELo said:
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)

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

ELo · Dec 11, 2016

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.

DallasCowboysFan said:
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

........................ Thanks

ELo · Dec 11, 2016

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

DallasCowboysFan · Dec 12, 2016

ELo said:
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

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.