I have a Gateway Convertible laptop (TA1 model). My monitor is completely broken. Til recently I was still able to work on the computer when the monitor was propped up against something...but unfortunately that solution doesnt work anymore. I have other desktop monitors that I could connect the laptop to if it's possible. I tried doing some research but most sources say something like I have to go to properties and select second monitor, which I cant do since I cant log on to my computer with nonfunctioning monitor. So my question: is there a way I can connect my laptop to a regular desktop monitor that circumvents having to actually log on to my laptop and select a different monitor? Thanks in advance!!!

Read your manual. There is most likely a keystroke/s to enable a second display. Look at Page 56 of the link below. http://support.gateway.com/s/Manual...

Connect a monitor to the VGA port when the laptop is not running, then boot the laptop - in most cases the video on the external monitor will automatically work. If the display on the external monitor is fine, there's nothing wrong with the display (video) adapter on the laptop. "...Til recently I was still able to work on the computer when the monitor was propped up against something..." There are two common reasons the LCD display on a laptop won't work or won't work properly after the laptop has been used a lot. - the wiring between the base and the display assembly in the lid is damaged due to wear, often right where the wiring passes through the hinge. That wiring is a frequently replaced item and not all that expensive. In that case, the LCD display MAY work for a while when the lid is in certain positions, not work when it is in other positions, before you get no video all the time. - the backlight (CCFL) in the display assembly in the lid is in the process of burning out, or has burned out completely, or the voltage inverter module that provides high voltage to the backlight is failing or is dead. If you have noticed an overall colored tint, e.g. pink, to the display before you got no video, the backlight is probably burnt out. For some info about replacing a voltage inverter or backlight, and what some typical symptoms are, see response 5 in this: http://www.computing.net/hardware/w...

The desktop monitor works but the orientation and sizes are off, and I cant figure out how to fix it. I tried everything under the properties/settings and cant get it to work. Please help!!!

Best bet is get the Laptop fixed you could hane LCD Screen wires/connections interfering with display signals. Check you manual for the FN fKey compo that turns off the LCD. There is nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.

You set the position of the image and the vertical and horizontal size of the image on the external monitor itself - e.g. by pressing some button to pop up configuration settings, and adjusting settings. Once you have set that for a particular computer's particular video adapter, you usually don't need to fiddle with that again. If Windows has the monitor set to Default Monitor in Control Panel - Display Properties - Settings, you will have fewer resolution and numbers of colors choices in Windows. In that case, go to Control Panel - Display Properties - Settings - Advanced - Monitor and change the Driver to Plug and Play Monitor, or use Have Disk and load the specific drivers for the monitor model (recommended and important for LCD monitors) - they're usually on the CD that came with the monitor, or are usually available to download from the monitor manufacturer's web site - Windows is looking for an *.inf file - you may need to change the folder it looks in to find that. You set the resolution and number of colors in Control Panel -Display Properties - Settings in Win 95 thru XP. The resolution determines the default size of the icons on the screen and how many will fit on the desktop screen. There are standard 4:3 ratio resolutions (e.g. 800x600, 1024x768, 1280 x1024) and sometimes wide screen ratio (e.g. 16:9 ratio; 1280x768) resolutions to choose from in Windows. The monitor display is either the standard 4:3 ratio display (if it is more than about 4 yearsold) or a widescreen ratio display (if it is newer than about 4 years old). If you choose a standard resolution for a widescreen display, either the display will look stretched horizontally, or there will be black areas right and left. If you choose a widescreen resolution for a standard display, either the display will look stretched vertically, or there will be black areas top and bottom. If the monitor is LCD, all LCD displays have a specified "native" or "optimal" resolution they look best set in when set to - other resolutions will not look as good, the most noticable thing being the text on the screen will not look as clear. Turn on Clear Type in Windows XP or Vista - makes type/fonts on LCD screens look clearer. http://www.microsoft.com/typography... .......

Thanks everyone...Problem solved