(Desktop with two monitors) + Laptop

Greetings,

This is my first time posting on this forum. I consider my computer literacy to be "moderate".

I have a desktop (Windows 7, 64 bit), which is currently connected to two monitors. I have no use for this desktop, as I have my own laptop (also Windows 7, 64 bit). However, I would like to make use of one or both of the desktop monitors with my laptop. For bureaucratic reasons, I do not want to "significantly alter" the desktop setup, such as unplugging the monitors from the desktop and connecting them to my laptop (which would solve the problem). Is there some "simple" way I can connect my laptop to one or both monitors through the desktop, merely use the desktop as a sort of "hub"?

Thank you, Andrew

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

You could try using Remote Desktop Connection to connect to the laptop from the desktop. That would let you use the monitors of the desktop to interact with the laptop.

See the steps in this tutorial:
Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) - Network

Dear UsernameIssues,

Thank you for this information. I have considered the remote desktop option and will look into it further. Is there any way to achieve the same effect by physically linking the two computers, such as an Ethernet cable?

Regards, Andrew

PS: Was this thread moved to the Graphic Cards section? Unless I am mistaken, I posted it in the Network & Sharing section.

There are KVM switches...
...but I would not consider that as simple of a solution as using remote desktop software.

I'm not sure where your original post was - but the Graphic Cards section seems like a good place.

Dear UsernameIssues,

Thank you again for this additional information. I am able to successfully establish a remote connection from the desktop to the laptop. However, only the primary desktop monitor displays (and has the incorrect screen resolution). When I go to the Screen Resolution page to extend to two-monitor display (and correct the screen resolution), I receive the message: The display settings can't be changes from a remote session. Thus, I am stumped. Any more suggestions?

Thanks again, Andrew

I don't have a setup like you have so that I can test where to make the changes - but my guess is that you would want to look on the remote desktop settings before you establish a connection to the laptop. Maybe these setting:





The computer that I took those screenshots from only has one display - thus the option to "use all my monitors..." is greyed out. Hopefully you will be able to place a check mark by that option.

Brief update:

UsernameIssues: Tried the "use all my monitors" option, but it still did not work correctly. The second desktop monitored became "active", but I could not get the laptop (which was being remoted into) to recognize it.

AddRAM: Connecting the laptop directly to one of the desktop monitors using this monitor's second input cable worked well.

Thank you both!