Connect a laptop screen panel to a DVI / VGA output?

[CurseTheSky]

Hey guys,

I currently have a secondary, portable computer that I lug around from time to time to do diagnostics on computers for friends, family, and clients. Generally I need something that I can open up and install their hardware into to diagnose if the problem is their memory, hard drive, graphics card, power supply, etc. While a laptop is the most portable option, it simply won't work.

The problem is, once in a while I run into someone that doesn't have a spare monitor I plug in temporarily. Lugging a monitor around with me really isn't an option, so I was looking for a way to use a regular monitor or laptop screen panel, use a custom bracket / housing to attach it to the computer's case, and plug it in to the computer's graphics card. It would have to be something small and thin enough to keep from compromising the portability.

Can this be done? Is there any sort of adapter that will let me plug a laptop screen into DVI / VGA and a regular power cable?

If there is such a thing, I think it would be a pretty fun project for an upgradeable, portable gaming computer too.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Hey guys,

I currently have a secondary, portable computer that I lug around from time to time to do diagnostics on computers for friends, family, and clients. Generally I need something that I can open up and install their hardware into to diagnose if the problem is their memory, hard drive, graphics card, power supply, etc. While a laptop is the most portable option, it simply won't work.

The problem is, once in a while I run into someone that doesn't have a spare monitor I plug in temporarily. Lugging a monitor around with me really isn't an option, so I was looking for a way to use a regular monitor or laptop screen panel, use a custom bracket / housing to attach it to the computer's case, and plug it in to the computer's graphics card. It would have to be something small and thin enough to keep from compromising the portability.

Can this be done? Is there any sort of adapter that will let me plug a laptop screen into DVI / VGA and a regular power cable?

If there is such a thing, I think it would be a pretty fun project for an upgradeable, portable gaming computer too.

Using a laptop screen is probably a no. They don't use traditional VGA or DVI, and instead use some other acronym (which is escaping my recall right now). This, in order to be used externally, requires a specially designed converter board, one that is usually specific to each laptop model. So, you might be able to find one for a certain model Thinkpad, but it won't work for Acer laptops for example.

Your better bet is to get a regular LCD and either mod it into the sidepanel of the case (heck, if you wanted to get adventurous, you could make it so when you pull the side of the case you can then do 'something' to make the display stand up), or even just leave it in the trunk of your car in case you need it.

So, you use this extra computer to diagnose hardware issues with a client's system. What is their system doing in the meantime? If the answer is "Nothing since it is off because I pulled the RAM", then there is your spare monitor right there.

 

[CurseTheSky]

It really varies from person to person, but I often have people show up to random locations with a just a desktop tower asking me to take a quick look (family get-togethers on holidays, for example).

The regular LCD panel does sound like a decent option. I even have a few that (I think) have blown inverters and need to be taken apart anyway. I'll look into that as an option - thanks for the info.

 

[kami333]

Yeah, not worth it, I've played around with it about 10years ago when LCDs were still ridiculously expensive. Have to get the right controller and right LCD panel, etc, Earth LCD is a good place to look around if you are interested.

I have an old 8inch LCD that I bought I eBay a long time ago with a bunch of dead pixels that I keep around for diagnostics.

 

[Brainonska511]

Your best bet would probably be some kind of video capture card which you would use if you wanted to hook up something like an X-Box to play through your laptop's screen and then you could hook up your client's computer to your own computer's monitor.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
It really varies from person to person, but I often have people show up to random locations with a just a desktop tower asking me to take a quick look (family get-togethers on holidays, for example).

yeah, id tell my family to get a clue. who would just show up at a holiday get together and expect someone to spend time doing tech support while everyone else is having fun (or, depending on the family, drinking and yelling, whatever)

if you have to have one, yeah, just get a cheap lcd and keep it in the box, and keep the box in the car. i checked on ebay, theres some small car LCDs (like 7 or 9 inches) that take vga input, but there wasnt any technical details that i saw as to the resolution and they had no manufacturer name. several under $100, but theres no telling what youd get with that.