Laptop Converted to 2nd Monitor

Step 9: Completion

Well, it works. I'm actually surprised. I fully expected to fry something along the way. The final footprint ended up at 12x10x2 and it weighs in at 4.5 pounds. Not bad for a $40 investment.

So, how did this "re-cased" laptop become a second monitor for my main system? Easy! I cheated!

Once the monitor has booted Knoppix off of its CD, A program called MaxiVistaViewer (running under wine) takes over. The main system picks up the Viewer off the network, and with MaxiVIsta Server, creates the equivalent of a super fast RDP. The main system then stretches its screen onto the 2nd monitor. The second monitor runs well enough over the network that I can watch DVD's on it. Also, with MaxiVIsta I can "chain" up to 4 monitors together into one display, or even utilize it as a "Soft-KVR" using one keyboard and mouse to control all four systems.

Disappointed? Yeah, I was too when I discovered the limitations of laptop screens for desktop use. This just seemed the cheapest and easiest option available to me.

On another note, the screen made its first real appearance as a component of my 3D design final, once it had its "appropriate patina" (i.e. rust) and had been attached to its oh-so-crufty copper pipe mounting system!

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wesgir says: Aug 31, 2008. 7:48 AM

question: Is there any way to make it so I can plug my Apple PowerBook G4's Titanium Monitor into any computer. I dont want to have to mount it or anything.. I want to use it as is. I disconnected it from my laptop about a year ago when it crashed. I was hoping someone would know how. I don't know enough about hardware to understand if this is possible. and if it is I would love to do that. I have it mounted on my wall and at less than a quarter of an inch it would make a really sweet flat panel. i just dont know if it's possible. Thanks

sephirothx666 in reply to wesgirMar 9, 2013. 1:23 AM

You might wanna check out a controller similar to this, http://www.ebay.com/itm/NJY2261-V1-0-LCD-Controller-DVI-VGA-PC-Audio-LVDS-Jumper-Change-Resolutions-/271159830087?pt=US_Server_Boards&hash=item3f2262a647

AJMansfield in reply to wesgirFeb 20, 2013. 1:03 PM

What type of cables extend from it? Pics would be incredibly informative in this situation.

jpurkiss says: Apr 13, 2011. 4:56 PM

i think what every one is looking for is what this guy did to resolve the problem!

http://www.oldvcr.tv/projects/index.html?Mode=View&ID=20

The only catch is you need the right laptop screen and the right motherboard for it to work!

wamorita says: Jul 1, 2007. 11:20 PM

MaxiVista is an interesting program.
FYI there is an open source program that will do the same sort of thing.
Its called Synergy: http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/
If you are going to use knoppix, you might was well use an open source programs for the screen stuff as well.

drew.adc in reply to wamoritaJul 9, 2007. 11:48 PM

From what i can tell synergy is not the same thing. It doesn't not allow you to drag windows from one system to the other does it?

gilbert2048 in reply to drew.adcJan 4, 2010. 7:17 PM

In Linux there is a way to use Xinerama over the network, I do not currently know how to do this. There are a few tutorials that exist but currently I do not know were they are, there was at one point a 32 screen display mad using this I believe.

gilbert2048 in reply to gilbert2048Jan 4, 2010. 8:21 PM

It is actually using Xinerama over Xdmx, that allows it to be used over the network.

krazy in reply to drew.adcJul 11, 2007. 4:20 PM

i think most new computers come with duel monitor setup.. i have a toshiba satellite laptop and it has a duel monitor.. you plug in the second monitor and in the control panel you set up where compared to the default screen is the second one located and then you can set them up to work together so you can drag from one screen to another or you can set it up to be either/or monitor.. and a couple other settings that i have not used is there. i love connecting my 47in wide screen tv to my laptop..playing WoW on the tv and still having the laptop screen for the internet. its great. i might take some of my old laptop monitors and doing this!

SNiPERSeyes in reply to krazyDec 5, 2009. 2:10 AM

its a dual screen set up. a duel is a fight to the death or a challenge between two parties please know your english im not even american and i know that

robotguy4 in reply to SNiPERSeyesJan 4, 2010. 10:25 PM

"you am not use capping or punctuantions"
-The Grammar Communists

(Also, if the English speak English, shouldn't Americans speak American?)

I think the idea of monitors that fight to the death is a bit amusing. I think someone should develop a duel screen... (Or would that be a monitor one can use to fight someone with? Hmmmm...)

Hycro in reply to krazyNov 15, 2009. 9:06 AM

Even the right old Toshiba Satellite Pro Notebooks had the ability to have dual display, all you had to do was plug in a VGA monitor into the VGA socket on the back, and work a couple settings, and voila ...(I think that last word is spelled correctly, the only suggestions I'm given for it are viola, which is a flower, and some voile, whatever that one is.) But I see the point of buddy who replied to your comment before me, it is more fun to do it using software on a second computer to have it behave like a second monitor connected using Ethernet...

robotguy4 in reply to HycroJan 4, 2010. 10:33 PM

Just a quick note:
You got the word correct. Well, close enough...

It is actually voilà. There is a French accent grave (`) over the "a".
A voile is, apparently, a light semitransparent fabric.

What if you need to connect to the internet via Ethernet?

Hycro in reply to robotguy4Jan 6, 2010. 8:25 AM

I know there's supposed to be one there, but I keep forgetting how to insert an "a" with the accent grave over it, but wasn't sure on the spelling...lol.

drew.adc in reply to krazyJul 12, 2007. 12:37 AM

yeah, but this isn't making a dual monitor setup using vga. This uses software on a second comp to make it act like another monitor that's hooked up using ethernet.

lsymms says: Oct 21, 2008. 6:26 AM

Pretty impressive but you need to introduce yourself to taps and dies. I'm pretty sure you can get them piecemeal (a 4-40 die and some steel rod will make your life easier). Or if you wanted to go the other way you use this opportunity to justify (keep that WAF above 80 son!) a mini lathe/mill and get a threading attachment for it. And yes, you need a pneumatic nibbler. I cut out a grid pattern in a PC case for cooling purposes in about an hour and it looks pretty damn good. Tools are what separate us from animals.

ljohnso16 says: Jun 27, 2007. 9:45 PM

wait hold on do i need to have a keyboard to set up MaxiVista ? because according to the specs there is no more keyboard no more mouse or did i miss that?

punish3r (author) in reply to ljohnso16Jun 28, 2007. 1:47 AM

Technically, no. I built a "custom" Knoppix CD on my main system that auto-boots MaxiVista, which I then used to boot the 2nd monitor. If you wanted to build the image on the 2nd monitor itself you would need a keyboard/mouse, but only for the setup portion. Once the program is running on the second monitor everything is controlled from the main system.

infraredman21 in reply to punish3rAug 10, 2008. 3:42 AM

Hey what's up? I'm Chris, I have a laptop and I'm trying to do what you did right now but I don't have a working hard drive in my laptop is ther any way the you could make me a copy of your disk and mail it to me I would love to have my laptop up with my other computer I bolt my laptop for $30.00 dollars from a friend and i've never goting a hard drive for it, i am willing to pay 2 ship the cd i really need it please let me know later Chris....

punish3r (author) in reply to infraredman21Aug 11, 2008. 11:56 AM

I would feel bad making you pay even shipping on an otherwise free product. Secondarily, MaxiVista installations are keyed, so the copy on my disc would be unable to "talk" with any copy you might have. The network settings would also be wrong...etc, etc... Long story short, you're better off remastering a fresh copy of Knoppix. The ISO's are available for free through Knopper.net and the process of remastering your own copy proves quite educational for the Linux neophyte, while also allowing a high degree of customization for your particular application. Remastering techniques and guides are available through Knoppix.net

infraredman21 in reply to punish3rAug 15, 2008. 11:28 AM

Hey well if you just made me a copy of Knoppix on cd wouldn't that boot my laptop?? that should work let me know..

punish3r (author) in reply to infraredman21Aug 15, 2008. 11:33 PM

Yes, a totally stock copy of Knoppix would probably (but not definitely) boot on your laptop. The stock image is available as an ISO file from www.knopper.net

This is a direct link for the Knoppix 5.1.1 download. It is 696 megabytes, and can be burned directly to CD via a program like ISOBurn for Windows.

This process would create a disk identical to anything I can provide for you at no cost and in much less time.

infraredman21 in reply to punish3rAug 16, 2008. 1:37 AM

i can't download it it say 49 hrs and 30 sec and i'm on dial up and at 696MB that would crash my computer lol the time thing don't bother me if i sent you a blink cd in the mail with the staps to send it back would you make a copy of Knoppix for a cd-rom??

infraredman21 in reply to punish3rAug 14, 2008. 10:23 PM

Well i don't no how or what to do when it comes down to makeing a disc like that is ther any way that you could tell me how to do it i'm lost lol umm i wish that it was just so easy for me but i dont no how to do programing or nothing like that how would i put the maxivista on the same disc and the Knopper and how do i make it bootable i dont no have to do none of that so let me know i wish that you could just make it for me and send the file to me that way i could burn it onto the disc but you would have to tell me how to burn it to the disc i'm useing vista and its a little crazy sometimes umm may be we could use the remote access and you could come on my computer from your computer and make the disc software i needed and then tell me how to burn it? let me now if you have yahoo carrock19 i hope to some how get the software to do this let me no... chris.

earlvanze in reply to infraredman21Oct 16, 2008. 2:26 PM

I would ask someone nearer to you, a computer geek preferably (I am one myself), who would know how to do all this. Just show him (or her) this Instructable, instead of some random guy over the internet. Most likely they would not be able to help you like this, having to mail a CD and all. If you could download it, it would be easier.