Broken laptop screen- Switch to external monitor?

Willbbz

Hey guys

I got my hands on a Compaq laptop but it's in bits as you can see in the picture

I can't see anything on the screen from boot as some wires are torn connecting the screen to the mobo (or wherever it connects to)

It's running Windows vista and has 1 account on it.
After I turn it on I can hear vista start up and then after I put in the password and hit enter I can here it log on to the profile

Now with no screen it's hard to navigate to the switch to external display but I've pressed the Fn + F4 keys which should switch it to the external display but nothing happens

So that leaves me lost

If anyone can give me any tips to change the display I'd appreciate it!

Also if I boot in safe mode will the external display come on itself?
I'm having trouble getting it into safemode as well so all feedback welcome

Thanks

Capt'n Midnight

Plug the monitor in before you power on the laptop

might also be other faults with the laptop

if you wait until the OS starts the resolution may be too high for an external monitor