Windows 7: Using a second PC as an external monitor?

luckyrick · 22 Dec 2012

So, I have a laptop and a Lenovo Ideacentre, which is a standalone desktop.

The laptop screen is very small. However, the laptop's specs are waaay better than the Ideacentre.

How can I use the Ideacentre's monitor as a display for my laptop?

Should I buy a HDMI-to-HDMI cable?

TVeblen · 22 Dec 2012

If the monitor on the ideacentre has an input then you should be able to do that. You could use a VGA, DVI, or HDMI connector depending on what is available. If it does not have additional ports for input then you won't be able to do this.

The HDMI receptacle on the PC portion is for output.

I have 2 PCs connected to one monitor here. I can switch between them with an input button on the monitor. That would also be very important to have. Standard PC monitors have these. I'm not sure about All-In-Ones.

bobafetthotmail · 22 Dec 2012

In case you don't have any input in that ideacentre, you can install some softwares (a free one, a paid one with more features) that disguise themselves as a video card and pass the screen data through LAN, so it will totally suck for decent games but will be fine for everything else (well maybe HD movies may suffer, don't know, you can try the free one and see).

luckyrick · 22 Dec 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by bobafetthotmail

In case you don't have any input in that ideacentre, you can install some softwares (a free one, a paid one with more features) that disguise themselves as a video card and pass the screen data through LAN, so it will totally suck for decent games but will be fine for everything else (well maybe HD movies may suffer, don't know, you can try the free one and see).

Thanks. Both computers have HDMI ports.

Is any additional software required?

linnemeyerhere · 22 Dec 2012

You shouldn't require any software, just hook up the hdmi cable to the screen set the input source and configure the 2nd screen showing now on the lappy and dial in the settings till you're happy !

luckyrick · 22 Dec 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by TVeblen

If the monitor on the ideacentre has an input then you should be able to do that. You could use a VGA, DVI, or HDMI connector depending on what is available. If it does not have additional ports for input then you won't be able to do this.

The HDMI receptacle on the PC portion is for output.

I have 2 PCs connected to one monitor here. I can switch between them with an input button on the monitor. That would also be very important to have. Standard PC monitors have these. I'm not sure about All-In-Ones.

Cool. But the problem is that since the Ideacentre is an all-in-one PC, my laptop monitor may end up displaying my Ideacentre desktop, but I want it to be the other way round.

mmkarimi · 22 Dec 2012

i think there would be some problems
first check if the HDMI is an input port on lenovo, the hdmi port on your lenovo may be an output port the same as HDMI port on your laptop.can you take a photo from the back panel of your lenovo here?

linnemeyerhere · 22 Dec 2012

If you have an HDMI cable give it a go and report back what happens.

TVeblen · 22 Dec 2012

You will probably not be able to use the HDMI port on the computer section to do what you want.

Using a second PC as an external monitor?-capture.png

luckyrick · 22 Dec 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by mmkarimi

i think there would be some problems
first check if the HDMI is an input port on lenovo, the hdmi port on your lenovo may be an output port the same as HDMI port on your laptop.can you take a photo from the back panel of your lenovo here?

sure.

Windows 7: Using a second PC as an external monitor?

Using a second PC as an external monitor? problems?