Booting without LCD possible?

[beGi]

So my R60 is no longer mobile, my battery died (on 50% capacity, I found out later it was on “defective list”, but it died 3 years too late), and much bigger issue, my LCD assembly is half broken (it fell twice from over a meter in height, once with no issues, second time hinge broke off along with metal part inside assembly) so I have to be extremely careful if I want to change screen angle.

The rest of machine is in almost flawless state. I will probably buy a new machine (and that depends if I get the new job), but I would like to make use of this and give it to my parents.

Currently I’m still running mental cost-benefit analysis should I repair it or do the following if possible.

I would like to completely remove LCD assembly, along with LCD, its cable and inverter card, so that only the “base” of the R60 remains. Next, I would like to buy an external monitor and connect it to R60s VGA out, and use it like that. I think that would be best alternative for them, since they would have a nice keyboard with “embedded system” that takes minimum of room, and bigger display (4:3 15” at the moment is too small for them).

So my questions are:

Will it work, or to be more precisely, will it boot without built-in components but with external display? Do I need a dock to do that?

Are there other issues that I should consider? Like indicators (which are on inverter card, IIRC) alternative, or where to put antenna?

Any other advice is appreciated.

Btw, I have posted this here since I think it is general question and can be use of to other members that do not own R series, but other (T or X). But mods can move it if they find it more appropriate.

[RealBlackStuff]

It will boot fine without the whole LCD lid.
You would have an issue with wireless, because you'd lose your wifi antennas.
You could use sticky tape and put them on e.g. the back of the new monitor, with the wires going inside where they are now.
A better solution would be to remove the wifi card as well (generates heat) and lay an ethernet cable from your router to the laptop.
No need for a docking station either.

[ajkula66]

Would you be able to re-attach the lid if you had a set of "fresh" hinges?

[beGi]

Thanks guys, that is good news...

George, "fresh" hinges would not help, since the thin metal part that goes along the whole LCD length is broken, and the "thread" behind the hinge broke off (it seems that whole thing cracked once, and grinded itself for some time)...so no help there...

But the fact that it will boot is good enough for me...


I'll post here once I get it done...