Keep external monitor on when laptop is closed

I am running Ubuntu 12 on a 5 year old Sony Vaio laptop. The battery is totally shot and does not even register anymore, so I am using it as a desktop instead, with an external monitor. Unfortunately, I have to keep the laptop lid open.

I tried changing the power setting to Do nothing when the lid is closed, but the system does not respect that setting.

I am wondering if this is related to my dysfunctional battery. If anyone knows how I can overcome this problem?

2 Answers

This is often a setting in the BIOS for the laptop. Reboot the computer and press the appropriate key to get into the BIOS. It will usually say "press del for settings", "press F10 to edit BIOS" or something like that while it boots. Usually there will be an option in the power settings on what to do when the lid is closed.

Even after enabling it, some laptops won't boot at all with the lid closed (when they have power buttons accessible on the side) and you will have to open it, power it on, wait a few seconds, then close it. Some laptops just don't allow you operate the laptop with the lid closed at all too.

I used this solution for Linux Mint, it should be similar as both distributions are Ubuntu based:

1. Open the Main Menu
2. Type Power Management into the search field, then click it when it appears below
3. It should default to Power for the button group at the top of the Power Management window
4. Go to the Extra options section at the bottom
5. Disable the virtual switch for Perform lid-closed action even with external monitors attached