We often get this problem at the free repair shop: the screen of a portable or all-in-one is broken and you can’t configure an external monitor (HDMI, VGA, DP) because the main screen isn’t working…
A very few models had the external monitor already activated (perhaps by a user).
My question is whether there’s a distro (preferably a popular one) that defaults to having an external port ready-activated for 2-screen working. Or, failing that, does anyone know if it would be possible for someone (not me) to diddle the code of the ISO file so it installs in 2-screen mode?
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@crl
What would be the cost of a new or used screen or is it replaceable.
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I think it’s generally acknowledged that - at least here in Europe - the cost of a replacement and of its installation by a professionel is rarely justified, even for a fairly new computer.
The computers and other household items we see in the free repair shop tend to be quite old. Some people give us equipment to pass on to the less fortunate, though computers older than the SATA disk revolution (about 2007) are rarely worth the trouble.
Quite often an old VGA monitor with perhaps an external keyboard is an acceptable solution for a portable.
All-in-ones are top heavy and fragile. If I could get an external monitor to work with the one I have in the workshop right now, I’d just glue it to the broken screen.
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Linux mint is your answer
You plug in a second screen and mint identity automatically without user interactions
You can get a boot usb from the website
Create your usb
Plug and go
I use it all the time
Failing that usually there is a function key between internal screen. External screen or both depending on make f6 or f7
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