Samsung N350 VGA as primary display from boot

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nolash

nolash

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
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1,510
Someone gave me a Samsung NP-N350-JA04RU that has a broken screen. I need to get display before OS graphics drivers load, and saw somewhere that on some devices and in some BIOSes it's possible to select VGA as the primary video output. Problem is, I can't see the BIOS screen due to the faulty screen.

I don't really feel like spending the money for a replacement LCD, as I will be using the unit remotely through SSH etc anyway. So if anyone:

1. Can confirm that it's (im)possible to choose other display from boot on this unit, and if yes....
2. A description of the keystrokes needed in the BIOS to do it

... it would be much appreciated.

I tried to ask Samsung, but they said it wasn't possible, but at the same time they didn't know what BIOS was in there so how could they know for sure - when I asked that they hung up on me. (Maybe they just didn't want to tell me, of course)
 
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nolash

nolash

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
16
0
1,510
It's physically crushed, and the left 2/3 of the screen is just pitch black.

I wanted to enter the BIOS to, if possible, select VGA as the display output rather than the builtin lcd, so that already from BIOS I get display on my external monitor instead.



 
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nolash

nolash

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
16
0
1,510


You have the exact same model? Which exact BIOS is it? I thought I saw Phoenix SecureCore in a screenshot somewhere...



Yep, but best would be not to spend it :)



yeah but I wanted to embark on Linux From Scratch on it, and that's too risky without guaranteeing a working screen. Anyway don't want Windows.
 
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helpstar

helpstar

Titan
Dec 25, 2012
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Watched some N350 bios videos on youtube to verify your thesis. In the manual is nothing mentioned to switch between the display outputs.


You should get a self installing Linux distribution, so you wouldn´t have to enter anything. Try booting ubuntu live, as soon as the screen appears, you can install it.

 
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nolash

nolash

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
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1,510


Thanks for your efforts.

Yeah, I realize that getting a "simple" distro would solve the issue, but that's really not what I wanted to use it for. But maybe I can fix it with dual boot, and a lot of patience for trial and error :)
 
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nolash

nolash

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
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1,510
My BIOS doesn't seem to have these choices, or any choices relating to VGA.

Does anyone out there know of a BIOS update that would allow it, or hidden keystrokes to activate the external display?
 
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helpstar

helpstar

Titan
Dec 25, 2012
13,248
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83,840
The picture I linked is very old and such options were for different display versions (EGA, VGA are resolution related). I never saw a phoenix securecore BIOS with options to set the external port as primary display, sorry mate, but I reall don´t think you will find such a BIOS.
 
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nolash

nolash

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
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1,510


Ok helpstar, Thank you very much for your help!

Another question, out of curiosity; the strange display port used for the LCD display on the motherboard - are these usually standard connector port, or are there as many flavors as there are models and manufacturers? Thus; is one forced to use one specific display for the laptop (ignoring whether it fits the frame or not), or are voltages etc generic?
 
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helpstar

helpstar

Titan
Dec 25, 2012
13,248
776
83,840
The Panels are mainly equal if the technology like lcd/led and tn/ips... Is the same you wanna replace it with. Also it depends on the size of the panel.
The connectors can be different from brand to brand and if it's a touch panel, has a camera or some other additional features of the laptop.
 
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