Laptop Screen As Secondary

Kornowski

Kornowski

VIP Member
Ok, So I've got an old laptop, but I want to use the screen off it as a secondary monitor. I'm not sure how I'd do this though, I don't want to have the laptop simply sitting on my desk as it'll take up too much room. I want to remove the screen and put it on my wall maybe. However, I know it has a VGA port, I'm not sure how I'd power it?

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks! :D
 
With a lot of difficulty. Don't quote me on this one but to do so you would need a 12v source of some sort to power it.
 
Yeah, I'd somehow have to replace the power that it draws from the laptop into a mains plug some-how. I don't know if it'd be too much messing around for what it's worth... It's just a pain to use it with the laptop as it takes up too much room and it seems a waste to buy a new LCD since I have on here.

P.S. Did you get my PM about the E6300.
 
So space is an issue you don't want a 12v car battery then? :D..You could strip the charger for the laptop down and with a voltmeter/fluke test to see what one gives you a 12v feed.

Another thing...How do you plan on attaching a VGA connector?

P.s.
Yea I did...Didn't I PM you back?
 
Yeah, probably a little too big for my liking :P I guess I could do that, but it'd be a little hard to get it to plug directly into the monitor, as I think the power goes into the motherboard and then into the inverter and screen. Hmmm. It has a ribbon cable going to a VGA port, so that should work, I think.

P.S. Nope, I didn't get anything back.
 
One or two ways to go for the power....

1, Strip the cable before it goes into the laptop and crimp it onto the power for the screen. Easy if you know what you are doing I suppose.

2, Find the loop that connects the laptop to the power and rip it out and bodge it.

You say it is going to the VGA port on the side? Isn't that an output not an input?

Edit:
PS
Sorry don't know what happened there, will re send it now.
 
Well, I've plugged it into my computer before when the laptop has been on and used it as a secondary screen then, it worked great, but like I said, took up too much room.

Number one sounds like it could be the easier way to do it... I'll have to look into that! Thanks!

P.S. Ok, Thanks.
 
Oh right got you sorry. I wouldn't mind doing the same as you. I have an old laptop screen I could use. If you get any further PM me.

No problem,
 
Sure thing, Yeah. If I find out anything, I'll drop you a PM. It's sounding like it could be a lot of work though.

I'm thinking, I could maybe live with having the laptop screen all the way up, and like sliding it down the back of my desk, so that just the screen is on show. Taking the HDD and DVD drive out the computer and just turning it on when I need the other monitor. If that makes sense?
 
Haha classic from you! :D

But then you couldn't use your laptop :confused:

Well, you'd first need to find out how much power the LCD screen takes. You would then have to find the 3 power cables that power the monitor (which would be very small I guess) Then find a way to connect them to an outlet.

That's my guess, I'm no electronics pro! :P
 
Yeah, It sounds like it's going to be a real pain in the ass to figure out... I don't know if I should just leave it and maybe just run it with the laptop there when I need it...

Oh, The laptop is kind of dead, so it isn't a problem ;)
 
It's VERY difficult to do. I've posted and looked around regarding the same question and the answer is that it's almost impossible, and even if it can be done, the adapter would cost nearly as much as a new monitor itself.
 
Yeah, it's looking that way. Also, the adaptor doesn't seem to be available on the net any-where, or if it is, you have to order like 100+

Seemed like a good idea at the time, LOL.
 
Hi, I have an old Dell laptop that is pretty much useless. I would like though to keep the screen and use it as a second monitor. A 12V power supply would be easy to pick up. It's just a matter of connecting the correct wires coming from your laptop screen to a VGA socket - might not be the prettiest connection ever but it should work. Am I wrong?
Only thing is though I wouldn't have a clue what wires I would be looking at coming from the laptop.
If anyone does though, here's the place to let us know!

Found on wikipedia (for VGA connector)
Pin 1 RED Red video
Pin 2 GREEN Green video
Pin 3 BLUE Blue video
Pin 4 N/C Not connected
Pin 5 GND Ground (HSync)
Pin 6 RED_RTN Red return
Pin 7 GREEN_RTN Green return
Pin 8 BLUE_RTN Blue return
Pin 9 +5 V +5 V DC
Pin 10 GND Ground (VSync, DDC)
Pin 11 N/C Not connected
Pin 12 SDA I²C data
Pin 13 HSync Horizontal sync
Pin 14 VSync Vertical sync
Pin 15 SCL I²C clock
 
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