Retrieve files from a laptop with damaged screen
Recently dropped my Dell inspiron 1150 laptop and now when i turn it on all i can see is 10% of the screen on top left h.side….good news is i didn’t damage my files but how do i go about retrieving files if i cannot see what i am doing and what steps do i need to take to attach to another computer monitor? knowing i don’t know much about tech stuff.
Connect an external monitor (LCD or CRT) to the laptop using the VGA port (D-shaped connector with 15 holes) and restart the laptop. Most likely the laptop will detect the external monitor automatically and you’ll get external video. Now you can retrieve/backup files.
If the external monitor has no video, hold down the Fn key and at the same time press F8 (CRT/LCD). It should switch video from the internal LCD to the external screen.
Alternatively, you can remove the hard drive from the laptop and install it into an external USB enclosure. Then connect this enclosure to any other working computer via a USB port. If there is nothing wrong with the hard drive, it should be detected automatically and it will pop up in My Computer. Access the hard drive and retrieve files.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I have a Gateway Laptop. About six mmths ago I notied a vertical line on the screen (white). Now I have 3 vertical lines on the screen a neon green, purple and white. If I push on the top of the laptop they disappear but come back as soon as I let go. Is there a way to fix this?
April 13th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
[...] you connect this enclosure to the home computer, access the hard drive and get all your pictures. This post explains how to retrieve files from a laptop with damaged [...]
May 30th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Hi, my gateway md2614u laptop will not show anything on the screen, I can turn it on but the screen is completely off, It worked just fine untill friday night, I used it friday noon and about 3hrs later nothing was showing, is there any way I can transfer my files? if I take it to a technician will charge me between 50 and 100dlls just to check it up and at this moment can’t afford to pay that, please if u can help me out at least to recover my files or if its worth it pay to get fix, THanks