/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>2010793
Its possible but it would depend heavily on what panel is used in the display. You would need a separate control board to get it working but its not impossible.

>>2010805
would that be something like an arduino or is it commercially available? maybe something salvaged from another monitor? do you have any other resources for that sort of thing?

>>2010813
EBay and Amazon has controller boards like that. Just look up the lcd model that's in the laptop.

>>2010824
Do you mean something like this? How does it work? would the touchscreen functionality be maintained?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lcd-Controller-Board-Arcade1Up-mod-TMNT-Marvel-NBA-JAM-screens-DV170YGZ-N10/284131781830?hash=item422792ecc6:g:IlEAAOSwyd1eaQNx

>>2010840
Yeah, those are what most people use. The touch screen functionality seems to be hit or miss, but the screen I used didn't have the function to begin with.

>>2010881
hit or miss how so? Is there something specific I'd have to do to maintain it?

>>2010793
you'll need to use the external video output connection on the working laptop (I'm assuming HDMI) to a converter/driver board for the extra LCD.
Laptop LCD's 99.99% of the time use "LVDS" interface, or Low Voltage Differential Signal. So you'll need to get an "HDMI to LVDS" driver board. What laptop are you ripping apart? You'll need to find a part number on the LCD so you can find the proper LVDS driver board. >>2010840 is the correct type of board you're looking for, but it may not be for your LCD specifically.
You will also need to make sure you have power for the external LCD. Most LVDS connections for LCDs will supply the power along with the signals for the image all in one cable. However, there is a chance that you'll need extra power cables in case it doesn't. We can get to that point if necessary.
What you'll end up doing is ripping out the bare LCD, getting the correct HDMI to LVDS driver board, and constructing a case to your liking. You'll connect an HDMI cable between the good laptop and the new driver board. You will also need to supply power to the driver board, similar to you plugging in the laptop to work. You can use batteries for portability, but that's further down the line. A power supply for the board will most likely be a cellphone-like charger that you plug into the wall, then the HDMI-to-LVDS board to function. The exact voltage and power rating will depend on the LCD screen and driver board itself.
At this point, you've pretty much made a basic monitor. Touchscreen will be trial-and-error. Depending on the touch interface (probably usb), you'll connect it directly to the main laptop via usb cable, and have to use software within the PC to calibrate it to function on that screen. If you were to plug the touch screen directly into the host laptop, it would act like a huge mouse touchpad and control the mouse on the laptops main screen.

>>2010976
The junk laptop is a Toshiba Satellite C55t-B5249. Checking the monitor under the device manager tab just tells me it's a generic monitor model sdc4146, I haven't torn it apart because I want to make sure the new one isn't gonna shit the bed immediately and I'll still have something for school.
I didn't realize I would need a second battery pack to power it. Do you think I could perhaps use the battery from the old laptop itself and integrate that into its case? Otherwise, it sounds like this project might become annoying and fiddly if I'm trying to build the monitor to come along with me to school and such.
Do you know what sort of software I could look into to get the touchscreen operational?

>>2010793
just search for an LVDS controller, which will effectively turn your LCD panel into a regular monitor (multiple inputs, OSD controls, etc)

typically you will find 2 types of controllers:
- some are already configured for a specific LCD panel, just find which one is in your old laptop and search for that

- some have jumpers to set the LVDS mode (resolution, color depth, no. of channels)
you then need to find which mode your LCD panel uses and make sure you have a matching cable as well

>>2011265
if you want to make it portable and have things like touchscreen working, then the project will take some work
power is not a big deal, you can easily get some LiPo cells, a boost converter to 12V and a charge controller so you can recharge over USB
touchscreen might be way more difficult, depending on the specific interface used

if for you, that counts as "annoying and fiddly", then perhaps it's not the best project for you

in any case, carying around a 15" secondary monitor is pretty retarded

>>2010793
You should just be able to hook an HDMI cable between the two and set your working laptop to extended screen mode.

>>2011310
this is useful, thank you
>>2011318
I think the monitor itself seems pretty straightforward, just the touchscreen seems annoying. in any case, the touchscreen is more optional so I don't expect it to be a big deal. It is kinda retarded, but I figure a laptop monitor is thin enough that I can just throw it in a bag alongside my laptop and have a more comfortable setup for long hours of studying. do you think it's possible to get the second monitor to run directly off of usb power instead of needing extra batteries and such?
>>2011320
typically, but I would have to get the other monitor to a point where it could even be plugged in first.

>>2011699
Mate.
https://www.hanselman.com/blog/use-a-second-laptop-as-an-extended-monitor-with-windows-10-wireless-displays

Take the overheating laptop apart, clean the heatsink, apply new thermal paste, put a 15 dollar 60gb ssd in it (cannibalize the larger one thats already in it if applicable).
Install windows and follow this guide.
You will have 2 working laptops that have some resale value, and wont have to resort to any of this sketchy bullshit.
Those ldvs contollers are usually shit, plus the whole setup will be a fragile mess.

>>2011703
perhaps, but the old laptop has been a piece of shit since I got it. might just take the hard drive and leave it there if anything. would at least be a backup, but where's the fun in it?

>>2011707
True, cant put a price on the project aspect of it.
Its the easiest option though, so at least you have that to fall back on.
Good luck, and have fun anon.

>>2011699
>do you think it's possible to get the second monitor to run directly off of usb power instead of needing extra batteries and such?

you can easily find boost converters from 5V (which you get through USB) to 12V which likely the LVDS controller will expect

the question is how much power will the controller+LCD draw and how much can the other laptop's USB ports provide

>>2010793
Do you have a desktop or other backup machine ready if your main dies this minute? If not I'd repaste the old one (useful practice) and reload it either for screen sharing or since most dual monitor setups are used with different applications, just use it as a second machine next to the first. You can set up shared directories and network them if that matters.

>>2011703
is a good idea.