Try this:
1. Connect your laptop to your CRT/LCD monitor
2. Turn the power on
3. Close the lid immediately.

If it displays on the monitor, then your only problem is to find some way to start your Laptop without opening your lid, assuming the power button is only accessible by opening the lid.

Most laptops come with external serial/USB/PS2 ports, so it shouldn't be a problem to connect everything & run your laptop as a CPU alone

...actually, I've done this before Connect my monitor, keyboard & mouse to the laptop & set the BIOS to 'turn on with password', meaning the Laptop turns on when I key in a certain key sequence on the keyboard. Sweet, huh? B)