Latop screen and using it for a desktop

Someone out there has to have figured out how to convert a laptop screen to be used on a desktop. I've tried searching and I cant find a guide on this subject so can anyone help find one for me?

Thanks!

 

It's possible but is difficult and expensive.

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/98801

 

Yeah, the signal is not a direct correlation. If you want to do hardware, it's not worth it (cost of a comparable LCD is less than the time and parts to make it work)

The alternative is using software, which assumes the entire laptop is still working.
http://www.maxivista.com/

 

Hep great link thanks for posting it.

 

No problem. I came across the software years ago when I was thinking about doing the same thing, thought I'd share.

 

I've seen people post some instructions for doing this on Instructables.com. Such as this one that I quickly googled:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Laptop-Converted-to-2nd-Monitor/

However the few I've read through looked like fire hazards. Also it looks a bit technically challenging since it requires you to use pieces of the motherboard that may or may not be easily detachable, depending on the laptop.

I think it would be fun to try something like this, but I wouldn't use it, as I stand by my belief it's a fire hazard.

A side note, thanks for posting that link Hep!! I think I'll give that a try.

 

Gregory, you should go back and actually read the link you posted. All that guy did was repackage the laptop so it looked like an LCD, then installed linux and installed MaxiVista (the software I posted) in WINE.

Some info from the last page

People HAVE made boxes that convert an analog digital signal into the signal laptops require, but these require PIC programming IIRC, end up costing about 100 bucks to produce, are kind of hit and miss, and take a lot of time and knowledge to create. No instructables guide will outline this process though, it's too complex.

 

Oops . I had just googled and posted what I thought looked like what I'd read before. I guess that's a different one .

That guy sure did a lot of work just to ultimately use Maxivista...

Hmm you're correct it would be a bit too complex for Instructables. I must have misinterpreted what I had read in the past.

 

I think I know the one you're talking about, it was on hack-a-day a few years back.

 

Thanks for the help so far. I'm looking into this as apart of my Elec. Eng. Project for my undergrad work. I'm just beginning to understand the components and no doubt it will be hard to do, but if I understand the how to , I can take a LCD screen from anything and put it to good use.
Example: Pull a LCD screen from my kids busted portable DVD player and install it to a custom install mobile computer that can hijack wireless signal. Basically a car with internet access.
This is just one blind application to what I can do with this project. Any more help to point me in the right direction will be greatly appreciated.