Solved Transfer contents from laptop A with broken display to another laptop/desktop B

infinity · Apr 17, 2022

The easy way is to buy a m2 enclosure, rip out the drive to do the transfer. Is there a more direct way, like can I use a USB type-A to C cable to do the transfer given I cannot see anything on the broken laptop screen? IT does boot into windows though.

Bree · Apr 17, 2022

infinity said:
given I cannot see anything on the broken laptop screen? IT does boot into windows though.

Does the laptop have an HDMI connector? Do you have an HDMI cable and a TV you could use as a monitor?

infinity · Apr 17, 2022

yes it does, but I'm afraid it's more than a display issue. When connected to an external monitor, I can see the boot screen (i.e. an Asus logo with spinning wheels), but after it boots successfully into Windows (with the startup sound), there is no display at all (I can see backlight on the laptop, but no display signal on the monitor).

Bree · Apr 17, 2022

Laptops usually have a function key combination to switch between using the internal display and an external monitor. On my Acer it's Fn+F5, on my Dell it's Fn+F8.

For an Asus it is typically Fn+F8.

Note: The hotkeys functions may be different based on different models, please refer to the User Manuals.

Hotkeys Functions Required Driver & Utility
Fn+F9 Turn on/off touchpad 1. Install ATKACPI driver and ATK hotkey tool
2. Install the driver for touchpad
Fn+F10/F11/F12 Mute/Adjust volume 1. Install ATKACPI driver and ATK hotkey tool
2. Install the driver for Audio
Fn+F5/F6/F7/F8 Monitor brightness/on & off/Toggle Display mode Installation of driver & utility is not required
Fn+C Toggle "ASUS Splendid" mode 1. Install ATKACPI driver and ATK hotkey tool
2. Install ASUS Splendid
Fn+F2 Toggle Wi-Fi on/off 1. Install ATKACPI driver and ATK hotkey tool
2. Windows 8/8.1/10: Install ASUS Wireless Radio Control
Windows 7: Install Wireless Console3

[Notebook] Troubleshooting - How to fix Keyboard problems | Official Support | ASUS UK

FJRMarty · Apr 17, 2022

Try booting to safe mode until you can at least see something on the TV?

Fabler2 · Apr 17, 2022

Windows key + P then use down arrow blindly to get to 'Duplicate' then press enter,

infinity · Apr 17, 2022

-guys, the above solutions assume only the laptop display itself is broken. However, I'm not exactly sure what else is broken as I could still see the boot logo on my external monitor, which means the projection was already set to Extend in the first place.

In any case, I also tried Fn+F8 after it booted to Windows, but no dice too. Nothing happened.

Berton · Apr 17, 2022

I've used what @Bree said using the VGA port on some and the HDMI port on a couple others. Traditionally the VGA was intended for a Projector for use in meetings. Another choice may be a LapLink cable and software made for the purpose, the cable may be a cross-over rather than a straight-through and uses the Ethernet ports.

Fabler2 · Apr 18, 2022

infinity said:
-guys, the above solutions assume only the laptop display itself is broken. However, I'm not exactly sure what else is broken as I could still see the boot logo on my external monitor, which means the projection was already set to Extend in the first place.

In any case, I also tried Fn+F8 after it booted to Windows, but no dice too. Nothing happened.

Did you try troubleshooting before and maybe set the laptop to boot to safe mode via msconfig? If so then nothing will show on an external monitor after boot in safe mode on a laptop.

CornishRattler · Apr 18, 2022

Your OP says “the easy way is to rip out the drive”
Why can’t you do that? Seems to me that nothing suggested is working so the obvious thing to do is “the easy way”
Or is that too simplistic?

cereberus · Apr 18, 2022

Berton said:
I've used what @Bree said using the VGA port on some and the HDMI port on a couple others. Traditionally the VGA was intended for a Projector for use in meetings. Another choice may be a LapLink cable and software made for the purpose, the cable may be a cross-over rather than a straight-through and uses the Ethernet ports.

VGA might work as it kicks in at bios level. HDMI does not kick in until windows starts to load normally.

However, if problem is with say graphics card rather than display, then unlikely to work.

Any cable solution assumes you have setup pcs to communicate. Even using an ethernet cable requires a bit of setting up.

In the end, the only sure fire solution is to put drive in a usb caddy.

harisrehman27 · Mar 30, 2023

If you have a laptop A with a broken display and you need to transfer its contents to another laptop or desktop B, there are a few easy ways to do so:

Use an external monitor - Connect an external monitor or projector display to laptop A using an HDMI or VGA cable. This will allow you to see the contents of laptop A's screen and transfer its contents to laptop or desktop B.

Use a docking station - If you have a docking station, connect laptop A to the docking station and then connect the docking station to laptop or desktop B. This will allow you to transfer the contents of laptop A to laptop or desktop B.

Use a file transfer cable - You can use a USB file transfer cable to connect laptop A to laptop or desktop B. This cable allows you to transfer files between two computers quickly and easily.

Use cloud storage - If you have an internet connection, you can use cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to transfer files from laptop A to laptop or desktop B. Simply upload the files from laptop A to the cloud storage service and then download them onto laptop or desktop B.

In summary, you can transfer the contents of laptop A with a broken display to another laptop or desktop B by using an external monitor, a docking station, a file transfer cable, or cloud storage.

jimbo45 · Mar 30, 2023

harisrehman27 said:
If you have a laptop A with a broken display and you need to transfer its contents to another laptop or desktop B, there are a few easy ways to do so:

Use an external monitor - Connect an external monitor or projector display to laptop A using an HDMI or VGA cable. This will allow you to see the contents of laptop A's screen and transfer its contents to laptop or desktop B.

Use a docking station - If you have a docking station, connect laptop A to the docking station and then connect the docking station to laptop or desktop B. This will allow you to transfer the contents of laptop A to laptop or desktop B.

Use a file transfer cable - You can use a USB file transfer cable to connect laptop A to laptop or desktop B. This cable allows you to transfer files between two computers quickly and easily.

Use cloud storage - If you have an internet connection, you can use cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to transfer files from laptop A to laptop or desktop B. Simply upload the files from laptop A to the cloud storage service and then download them onto laptop or desktop B.

In summary, you can transfer the contents of laptop A with a broken display to another laptop or desktop B by using an external monitor, a docking station, a file transfer cable, or cloud storage.

Another option if it's easy to do -- just swap the HDD's !!!
Usually there won't be a problem with re-activation !!!.

If the old laptop is bust beyond repair -also no problem just rip the thing open to remove hdd /ssd / NVME. Connect to new laptop va SATA->USB device and boot from stand alone restore to restore old HDD to new one. !!!

BTW those SATA->USB adapters are very cheap and if you haven't got one are very useful anyway !!!!

Cheers
jimbo

BamaInArk · Mar 30, 2023

The easiest solution is to use a simple SATA to USB cable, no enclosure or docking station required. This works for most 2.5 inch drives, not 3.5 inch drives.
Simply pull the drive from the system that is failing and connect the cable and copy files to another system.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-SATA-USB-Cable-USB3S2SAT3CB/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23IM2PL6TKGDT&keywords=sata+to+usb+3.0+adapter&sprefix=sata+to+%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1

kelper · Mar 30, 2023

Or boot from an Ubuntu USB just in case Windows has messed up your video drivers. Linux seems more savvy sometimes.

cereberus · Mar 30, 2023

Posts 12, 13, 14, 15 are replying to a post a year old LOL. I imagine the OP has sorted his problem by now.

kelper · Mar 31, 2023

cereberus said:
Posts 12, 13, 14, 15 are replying to a post a year old LOL. I imagine the OP has sorted his problem by now.

And that makes you feel smug!

spapakons · Mar 31, 2023

Assuming only the screen is broken, connect to an external monitor, wait to load Windows and then press Win+P 2-3 times until you see a picture on the external monitor. You may have to login first. In that case pess TAB before typing your password and press ENTER to login. If the graphics card is broken, then no cable can help you because you still need to authorize access from the host to transfer the files. If you have TeamViewer or AdnyDesk installed on the host you can connect remotely, even with a broken graphics card and transfer anything you need. The alternative is to remove the hard disk and use an appropriate adapter to connect it with USB to the target computer. Your files will be in users\username folder.