Using a computer as a monitor

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nepamac

New Member
I am looking to find out if there is hardware and software that I can use to use a computer as a monitor. I have an extra laptop laying around and am starting a business and would like a way to use that as a monitor for client's computers. Like a USB to DVI/DSUB Y cable where the USB would connect to the laptop and the DVI/DSUB would connect to the client machine. The software on the laptop would allow me to see whats going on with the client computer including boot sequence. I dont need to be able to interact as I would with a Virtual Machine, but that could be a nice feature.

Does anyone know of a systems such as that?
 
Any ideas anyone? I know it can be done via the network with a special program, but I'm looking for a hard wire connection that doesnt require any installation of a program on the host machine. That way I can view bios settings and all of that.
 
Thats not what I'm looking for. I'm a PC technician, so that may give you the level of familiarity that I have with computers. I am looking for a way to hook 2 computers together so that the video output of one shows up on the other. I have a laptop that I want to connect my client's computers to so that I can do repairs without the need for another monitor and the ability to configure headless servers without the need for a monitor to be hooked up.

The models of the 2 computers are irrelevant and the OS on the laptop is Windows 7 (but can be downgraded to anything). The client's computer's OS shouldnt matter as long as there is a standard DSUB or DVI video out.

I have thought of an alternative, but its not exactly what I had in mind. I could use a TV tuner card with a RCA input on it and DSUB to RCA adapter (alternatively, a DVI to RCA adapter for DVI connections) and connect them together. The TV tuner card would be installed in the PCMCIA slot on the laptop and connect to the client computer. That would solve the problem, but I wanted to find out if there was a product out there designed for this type of thing.
 
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the only way ive seen this done which isnt even really what your wanting is you have to actually modify the lcd and ribbon but that was actually so the monitor could be used as like a tv for a console.

my ? is if you have the computer close enough you can run a cable why not just put the computer in front of you and view it that way
 
JlCollins005 said:
the only way ive seen this done which isnt even really what your wanting is you have to actually modify the lcd and ribbon but that was actually so the monitor could be used as like a tv for a console.

my ? is if you have the computer close enough you can run a cable why not just put the computer in front of you and view it that way
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My previous post explained why. Its for clients who bring their towers to me and for headless server setups.
 
nepamac said:
Thats not what I'm looking for. I'm a PC technician, so that may give you the level of familiarity that I have with computers. I am looking for a way to hook 2 computers together so that the video output of one shows up on the other. I have a laptop that I want to connect my client's computers to so that I can do repairs without the need for another monitor and the ability to configure headless servers without the need for a monitor to be hooked up.

The models of the 2 computers are irrelevant and the OS on the laptop is Windows 7 (but can be downgraded to anything). The client's computer's OS shouldnt matter as long as there is a standard DSUB or DVI video out.

I have thought of an alternative, but its not exactly what I had in mind. I could use a TV tuner card with a RCA input on it and DSUB to RCA adapter (alternatively, a DVI to RCA adapter for DVI connections) and connect them together. The TV tuner card would be installed in the PCMCIA slot on the laptop and connect to the client computer. That would solve the problem, but I wanted to find out if there was a product out there designed for this type of thing.
Click to expand...

Remote Desktop Connection?

Frankly I don't see why you want to go through this much trouble. Why not just use a monitor?
 
voyagerfan99 said:
Remote Desktop Connection?

Frankly I don't see why you want to go through this much trouble. Why not just use a monitor?
Click to expand...

I manage a number of servers that are "headless" and I would rather not have to carry a monitor with me. I would rather just have a laptop and a cable that will do the trick. Also, I dont have a spare monitor. Its not really any more trouble than a monitor because I would have to transport a monitor, keyboard and mouse. Remote desktop is out of the question because I want to be able to modify BIOS settings and utilize pre OS key combinations. If someone hasn't developed this yet, it could be a fairly lucrative product.
 
Green dog252 said:
buying a small cheap monitor may be your only choice.
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I do have an old Pinnacle Dazzle 80 that I can use with a dsub to rca or dvi to component adapter. That will at least give me video. I may just have to get one of my programmer friends to work on an emulator and connector...
 
Would a KVM switch work here? I'm having a hard time visualizing how that would work, so I may be off-base..
 
I've seen this question asked a hundred times, and the simple answer is no, it's not possible. Yeah, theoretically it would be possible to make some sort of converter box with a VGA/DVI input and a USB output and then a piece of software that would display whatever is being inputted, but I really don't think that it's been done. I assume that the lag time that would be caused by such a device would make it impractical and nearly unusable especially if you were trying to control the computer with a mouse.
 
Bacon said:
Would a KVM switch work here? I'm having a hard time visualizing how that would work, so I may be off-base..
Click to expand...

No, a KVM would only work if I were trying to have multiple inputs into the same monitor.

Basically, picture this as a Virtual Machine using Virtual Box, but the video output that you see in the VM window is actually another physical computer, rather than just a virtualized one. I know that I could do this with remote desktop, but I want to be able to control the bios.
 
PohTayToez said:
I've seen this question asked a hundred times, and the simple answer is no, it's not possible. Yeah, theoretically it would be possible to make some sort of converter box with a VGA/DVI input and a USB output and then a piece of software that would display whatever is being inputted, but I really don't think that it's been done. I assume that the lag time that would be caused by such a device would make it impractical and nearly unusable especially if you were trying to control the computer with a mouse.
Click to expand...


I may try to find a PCMCIA Tv Tuner with an RCA input and a DSUB to RCA adapter...that may work. If I can play a PS2 through a TV tuner on my desktop, than this should theoretically work through a TV tuner on my laptop.
 
nepamac said:
I may try to find a PCMCIA Tv Tuner with an RCA input and a DSUB to RCA adapter...that may work. If I can play a PS2 through a TV tuner on my desktop, than this should theoretically work through a TV tuner on my laptop.
Click to expand...

Actually, yeah. There is no reason that shouldn't work.
 
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