Compaq 610 motherboard not displaying with VGA port

lb2001

Commendable
Aug 23, 2016
32
0
1,540
Hi there, i've removed a motherboard from a compaq 610 laptop, with the idea of building a funny case for it and use it as mini-pc. The MB does still work, but when I connect an external monitor to it, nothing happens!! Please note that I don't have a HDD connected to it, and no keyboard either. I don't have spare displays and laptop keyboards btw. The monitor is working (tested on another pc). What can I do to let the VGA port do something? Maybe some cable hacks?
 
Solution
Hello there.

Some laptops need you to manually turn on the monitor output at startup, using the Function keys. It is possible it is simply deactivated because you didn't do that Function + Monitor key.

Another possibility is that the output resolution for the VGA output in the BIOS is too low for your monitor. Some monitors will not display a picture at resolution of 640x480, which is most probably what the Compaq 610 outputs at. Try a CRT monitor, or one that is tested to work at 640x480.

My suggestion is to buy and connect the keyboard of the original laptop, then try activating the Function + Monitor key. Try this with a monitor you know supports low resolutions.

Most probably though, if you install windows on the HDD, the VGA...

Natsukage

Estimable
Oct 28, 2016
1,264
0
2,960
Hello there.

Some laptops need you to manually turn on the monitor output at startup, using the Function keys. It is possible it is simply deactivated because you didn't do that Function + Monitor key.

Another possibility is that the output resolution for the VGA output in the BIOS is too low for your monitor. Some monitors will not display a picture at resolution of 640x480, which is most probably what the Compaq 610 outputs at. Try a CRT monitor, or one that is tested to work at 640x480.

My suggestion is to buy and connect the keyboard of the original laptop, then try activating the Function + Monitor key. Try this with a monitor you know supports low resolutions.

Most probably though, if you install windows on the HDD, the VGA output will work once in windows.
 
Solution