Laptop screen failure - getting an external monitor running?

[Mr_Sukebe]

My sister has just called to say that her Sony Viao laptop has suffered screen failure (well outside warranty).
A potential workaround is to plug in an external monitor. However, on boot up, the output to the external monitor seems to be disabled within the Windows options.

Anyone know of software that would allow a reboot into Windows to reset the video options and output to an external monitor?

 

[ShakenNstirred]

most laptops have a key called "FN" and the row of extra symbols on the F keys, one of them being the monitor switch.
hold the FN key down and press the F key with the little monitor symbol on and it should change over

 

[Dano]

most laptops have a key called "FN" and the row of extra symbols on the F keys, one of them being the monitor switch.
hold the FN key down and press the F key with the little monitor symbol on and it should change over

Both my Vaio's have this.

 

[fendi]

Any my Toshiba, F9.

 

[atomiser]

you may also be able to pick up a 2nd hand screen of the bay. i've just upgraded my d600 from a yucky 1024x768 to a glorious 1400x1050. managed to talk the guy down from £90 delivered to £75 too, result.