Using iMac with a broken hard drive as a monitor for Mac mini

[Katz&Kimchi]

i have the 2012 27" with a broken hard drive and a small crack in the upper left corner. When I took it to a service center they told me that to repair the hard drive they would have to remove the screen and that would likely cause the screen to break and I would have tore place that too. This made it not cost effective to fix the computer, so I bought the new Mac mini. Now I'm trying to find out if I can use my broken iMac as a monitor for my new Mac mini. The only information I have seen on connecting the two requires me to switch display mode on the iMac, which I can't do. Is there another way to use the iMac as a monitor?

 

[Richdmoore]

Haven’t tried it, but maybe this?
https://github.com/duanefields/VirtualKVM

 

[c55]

I'd sell it as is and buy a proper monitor, preferably one that doesn't have a crack in it

here is what Apple says about this: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19038?locale=en_US

 

[hfg]

You might be able to boot/run your iMac from an external disk or SSD unless the internal failed disk prevents it from booting the external drive. A small 2.5" bus-powered external could be stuck to the back of the iMac stand so as to not be noticeable. Thus you wouldn't have to endure the stress of opening the case and possible further damage to the display.