How do you connect your laptop screen to Windows 7?

Recently, I had to reboot my PC, as it was too slow. To my unfortunate surprise, the next time I turned on my computer, the HDMI didn't work. I have no computer screen except for my laptop, and I need to know how to connect the two. The problem, I ume, is that I got one of those screens where there's a countdown, and I need to press Enter while highliting "Start Windows Normally", but I can't with the TV, as it remains with No Signal in any event before the computer is fully started. It doesn't do it automatically either. So, please, help me.