Laptop LCD damaged - External Monitoring

[rygf]

Hi-I have a dell laptop thats LCD screen is almost completely white with colored pixel lines both vertical and horizonatally.

However, i am able to use the laptop with an external monitor via VGA connection just fine.

I have no need for mobility so this external moinitor setup will work for me.

I am concerned though, will it be possible to use my laptop like this indefinetly? Or without the display on the laptop itself am I just setting myself up for disapointment when I need to configure or troubleshoot the laptop at a later time? What steps should I take to assure I can use it this way?

Besides replacing the screen itself, is there some way to reset or refresh the screen. or is it indeed dead for good??

 

[rygf]

Let me add.. generally, are all monitors plug and play? If for some reason the display output setting need adjusting, do you think I will always be able to do so with an external monitor and not have to depend on the laptop display?