Can use my laptop as an emergency monitor for a desktop? 2

[hallux]

Hello,
Sometimes it is incovenient to lug a monitor to a windows machine that is having trouble (and the monitor is broken). I don't want to mess with a web of cables to disconnect and reconnect a monitor when working in data centers with tight space, or a monitor may not be available. I have always wondered if I could use my laptop monitor as a monitor for a windows machine. Something like connect a cable from the USB port on my laptop to the vga port on the desk top. My first guess is that what I propose is going to put a lot of electricity through the usb port and probably blow something up. That is the ease of solution that I am looking for. Is there such a hardware/software solution available? Or am I in a fantasy land and should just plug in my ipod nano as the display like everybody else does
Maybe there is a portable mini display available and I'm just the last one to find out.

Thanks

-Hallux

 

[vacunita]

This might not be the solution your looking for, but if the desktop your going to is networked you can always use Remote Desktop to connect to the machine. If both of them Are WinXP.

If not well I suppose something like this might be what you are looking for:

http://www.epiphan.com/products/product.php?pid=1&gclid=CLi67r221ogCFSZmYwodqzMbaA

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[IPTnewbie]

nice answer Vacunita!


i was gonna same the same thing. RealVNC works nice also.

 

[hallux]

Thank you Vacunita,

The VGA2USB device is exactly what I was looking for, thanks for the url.

-Hallux

 

[vacunita]

Your welcome, glad I could help.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[gbaughma]

Typical results are between 28 and 2 frames per second...

Well.... *THAT* narrows it down.

Looks like a neat device, though.



Just my 2¢

"When I die, I want people to say 'There was a wise man' instead of 'Finally, his mouth is shut!'" --Me
--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[profunctional]

Have you tried a KVM? There are quite a few for under 100 that might do the trick. I use it to monitor a few systems at work. I know there was one at best buy that ran about 50 bucks.

 

[vacunita]

There is no monitor at the location. and the OP wants to use the laptops screen as a monitor how is a KVM switch gonna help?

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[franklin97355]

I think this would be a better choice.

http://www.epiphan.com/products/product.php?pid=27&PHPSESSID=c3l77qj86uip33seq5qnt2fsi0

The answer is "42"

 

[vacunita]

How'd I miss that??? Same link i gave ony a little lower on the options menu.

I'm starting to want one too.

Good find Franklin you get a star for poinitng it out.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.