Can I use a laptop as an external monitor - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ptownsean · 09-07-2004, 11:11 AM

Okay. I'm looking to go wireless with my home network. I have a lot of external USB devices that I normally connect to my laptop via hubs. I would like to buy a cheap box and fill it with USB cards then connect the box to my wireless router. That way I could go anywhere in my house and have access to my USB drive, printer, etc.

My question is... can I somehow connect my laptop to the PC box and use the laptop as the monitor. It would save me from having to find space for a monitor that would only be used during setup and maintenance of the box. Is there anyway of doing this or should I try something different?

Cynthetiq · 09-07-2004, 11:24 AM

laptops have VIDEO OUT not video in, usually. so you can't use that option. You'll initially need a monitor to setup the box. Borrow one from a friend, or have it setup already with PC Anywhere or other RPC type software.

I use VNC to connect to my box that has no monitor, keyboard, or mouse. works wonderful and i connect to it via my palm or laptop wirelessly around the house.

mikec · 09-07-2004, 12:31 PM

yes, most laptops don't have a video IN signal, at least for CRT/DVI connections.

You can do what cnthetiq does, and use VNC, which is sweet, because you connect with the same permissions as the logged on user. I use VNC to connect to my server when I need to run something w/full admin rights. However it tends to be a bit slow. If you're running XP on your network, you can use remote desktop to connect. A LOT faster, and it works great!

and yeah, only power and network need be plugged in the PC box. I'd recommend booting it one final time w/a monitor attached, and change BIOS to halt on no errors, otherwise it will stop booting every time, when there is no keyboard attached.

ptownsean · 09-07-2004, 12:38 PM

Great info guys. Thanks, that will help me out a lot!

steveincolumbus · 09-09-2004, 03:43 AM

Get a video card with a composit output that way you can hook it to a tv for those emergenies when vnc don't work.........

urbandev · 09-09-2004, 03:10 PM

VNC: www.tightvnc.org
VNC drawbacks: configured for shitty JPG compression by default, slightly slow refresh, and doesnt show video or anything partitially transparent

09-07-2004, 11:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
ptownsean Upright	Can I use a laptop as an external monitor Okay. I'm looking to go wireless with my home network. I have a lot of external USB devices that I normally connect to my laptop via hubs. I would like to buy a cheap box and fill it with USB cards then connect the box to my wireless router. That way I could go anywhere in my house and have access to my USB drive, printer, etc. My question is... can I somehow connect my laptop to the PC box and use the laptop as the monitor. It would save me from having to find space for a monitor that would only be used during setup and maintenance of the box. Is there anyway of doing this or should I try something different?

09-07-2004, 11:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	laptops have VIDEO OUT not video in, usually. so you can't use that option. You'll initially need a monitor to setup the box. Borrow one from a friend, or have it setup already with PC Anywhere or other RPC type software. I use VNC to connect to my box that has no monitor, keyboard, or mouse. works wonderful and i connect to it via my palm or laptop wirelessly around the house. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

09-07-2004, 12:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
mikec I flopped the nutz... Location: Stratford, CT	yes, most laptops don't have a video IN signal, at least for CRT/DVI connections. You can do what cnthetiq does, and use VNC, which is sweet, because you connect with the same permissions as the logged on user. I use VNC to connect to my server when I need to run something w/full admin rights. However it tends to be a bit slow. If you're running XP on your network, you can use remote desktop to connect. A LOT faster, and it works great! and yeah, only power and network need be plugged in the PC box. I'd recommend booting it one final time w/a monitor attached, and change BIOS to halt on no errors, otherwise it will stop booting every time, when there is no keyboard attached. __________________ Until the 20th century, reality was everything humans could touch, smell, see, and hear. Since the initial publication of the charted electromagnetic spectrum, humans have learned that what they can touch, smell, see, and hear is less than one millionth of reality

09-09-2004, 03:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
urbandev Insane Location: Dayton, NV	VNC: www.tightvnc.org VNC drawbacks: configured for shitty JPG compression by default, slightly slow refresh, and doesnt show video or anything partitially transparent __________________ Raoul Duke: "I wouldn't dare go to sleep with you wandering around with a head full of acid, wanting to slice me up with that goddamn knife." Dr. Gonzo: "Who said anything about slicing you up, man. I just wanted to cut a little Z in your forehead."

09-07-2004, 12:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
ptownsean Upright	Great info guys. Thanks, that will help me out a lot!

09-09-2004, 03:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
steveincolumbus Psycho Location: BFE, Kentucky	Get a video card with a composit output that way you can hook it to a tv for those emergenies when vnc don't work.........