Instructables is an amazing platform to share knowledge, experience and cool stuff, so use it! How to connect a second monitor to a laptop using HDMI. If you have an FPGA, a CE degree and a bunch of free time, you can indeed make your own controller board. Laptop Screens and LCD Displays. If you really don’t see any purpose of your old laptop, how about making use of its screen by creating a digital frame? My experience has been bad with the remote display functionality in Windows 10. It is powered by a 9th generation Intel Core i9 processor, with 8 cores running at up to 4.8 GHz. Any reason you can’t just canibbalize the ancient laptop? If for any reason privacy is a high concern of yours and you don’t trust standard browsers, public software, or even internet provides, you can always use your old laptop for secured privacy. If you try it, something goes wrong or you didn't liked the result, I have nothing to do with it. Ripping off a laptop’s LCD display screen and converting it into a monitor is next to impossible because it employs a lot of cabling, soldering and converting digital signals into analog for input support. You can get a great frame size and a pretty good quality, and if you’re up for some DIY action – you can get it sorted out very simply by following some of the tutorials available on the internet. 4.1) The pins should be facing down. It uses the power of the laptop’s processor to help any analyze radio telescope data. If it's not working, it's probably bad news ): 1) You have damaged the LCD panel during the disassembling; 2) You have connected the flat cable upside down: and it probably damaged either the controller board or the LCD panel; 3) You sent the wrong Model Number; 4) The power supply you acquired doesn't match the board requirements (and it damaged your board) 5) You didn't pressed the ON button; 6) You forgot to connect the power supply; 7) Your cat disconnected your power supply; 8) Your HDMI/VGA/DVI output is not working properly; OK, nothing in this world is perfect, so maybe your board or your power supply is not working. This time, I show you how you can use your old laptop as a second display for your existing desktop PC or laptop. One obvious way to peruse old monitors for sale is by brand. Lot of people will tell you it is impossible, but it is not! Make sure that the pins are facing the correct side! How to connect to an external display in Windows. Every time I'm doing projects like these, I always assume that I did something wrong. I mean, the monitor uses most of the power anyway, so I may insulate the back of the screen (maybe corrugated plastic or aluminum to allow some radiant heat loss) and then velcro the bits and wires to the back. ... Docking Station, MCY 12 in 1 Triple Display Laptop USB C Docking Station Dual Monitor USB Type C Hub with Dual HDMI VGA … 4) Share your experience! Entertainment Center. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family Might not be the most useful tip you were looking for, but you still have a way to use your old laptop to help. Q: My old laptop's screen backlight has blown out. While it can protect your privacy, it’s also not gonna go hard on your old laptop. Whatever your needs are, you don’t need to throw away or sell your old laptop straight away. 49 Tips to Speed Up Your Old [Windows] Laptop Right Now. 8 weeks ago. Reply 6) Be amazed. But the LCD was still OK, so, why not make an second monitor of it? You can think of it as cloud storage, where in this case the storage is physical. With the 10 tips, you’ll find in this post, you’ll never think of selling your old laptop again since we’re sure that there will be at least a few suitable ideas for everyone. Browse 4,896 old computer screen stock photos and images available, or search for retro computer screen or vintage computer to find more great stock photos and pictures. So I guess the backlight is working anyway? 2 years ago. It’s a perfect way to use your old laptop to keep an eye on your dog or cat, monitor kids, your driveway, or just anything that comes up to your mind. Another great option is to turn your old PC into a home entertainment center. Maybe get fancy with a mesh, zippered access cover (no I don’t see). BUT, I didn't have the opportunity to 3D print these pieces yet, so I don't recommend using them, because I'm not sure if the board is going to fit and if the structure will hold the monitor. Once you see your laptop's desktop and icons (or some variation thereof) appear on the monitor's screen, you can proceed with setting up your laptop's display settings. After turning down brightness, the color starts to look weird. Hp envy touchsmart 2011 something...I mean I like what I’m seeing, and have found similar advice elsewhere. Declan chalmers, Answer With the help of privacy software, you get the chance to turn it into a full privacy laptop that will have you protected during browsing the internet. If the external display works fine, it is an issue with your laptop display. 4. BUT, keep in mind that you have to be very CAREFUL! Yet still, I … Dario is a writer at NetbookNews.com. Performance-wise, it’s capable to handle almost anything, just like Windows or any other operating system, with many improvements, of course. Just like the screen, your old laptop probably has a webcam. Depending on the quality (if it’s anything better than VGA), you can use it as a webcam and set it anywhere you’d like...a perfect way to use your old laptop to keep an eye on your dog or cat, monitor kids, your driveway, or just anything … It's something that I learned from Engineering School: "the compiler is always right", "your code doesn't have a bug, YOU implemented it", "the signal doesn't look right because YOU made a bad soldering", and so on... Now we have to build some structure to make all this electronic look nice! 6. I had a similar problem and, at the end, I found out that I forgot to plug one connector of the power controller board on the LCD screen. If you're not sure if your display is compatible with the control board used in this guide, search the model of your LCD and the word "datasheet". Can you connect it without using a controller board? With tips like these, you still have plenty of versatility and the choice is all yours, Whether you’re going to make use of it by. I recieved my controller and just connected everthing for test. The controller board is awesome, it is everything that I was looking for! So, my laptop got old and suddenly stop working. Without spending extra money to purchase suitable adapters to expand your home internet network, you can turn your old laptop into a hotspot and expand the reach of your home network at no cost. The Environmental Protection Agency offers a list of computer manufacturer and retailer programs that do just that. Anyone know where i can get a converter for the oem multi touch screen? Use this adapter to connect your laptop, gaming system, or TV box to your older monitor. on Introduction, I can not locate my screen model no at back of screen there are several codes there. This is a pretty expensive laptop, but there are a few reasons for that. For far too long I possessed an old Dell Studio laptop. If you're hooking up a VGA connection, which is a blue connection and has 3 rows of holes, you will likely need to … Re-purposing An Old Laptop Display. Lot of people will tell you it is impossible, but it is not! Do I need some sort of cooling fan/system for the boards? Left clicking depicts the picture as a choice within the usual Microsoft pictures of snow and water. The Amnesic Incognito Live System (known as TAILS) is a great software based on one of the Linux’ software called Debian. But I can't. I've made two things in tinkercad.com: the case for the board (if you acquired from e-qstore) and a very ugly structure for my LCD, so it stays vertical. Windows OS already has integrated feature, while there is also a software called Connectify which is made for firing up a hotspot. Depending on the quality (if it’s anything better than VGA), you can use it as a webcam and set it anywhere you’d like. If you choose to buy from them, send them a message with your Model Number (you can even send them a picture)  and they will make sure that they will send the board with the correct firmware. Mine is a SATA/USB interface, hopefully I'll make another Instructable for this. 4 years ago, Yes,you can but it's very diffycult to use from a laptop(sorry for bad english), How to turn any laptop screen into a monitor, Tape Measure Yagi Antenna with 3D Printed Couplers, Portable Auto Height Adjust Stand for Multipurpose, How to Teach an Online Circuits Class With Tinkercad. Breathe new life into your dusty relic of a portable PC. Therefore, your old laptop will be considered as a storage unit that will just need to be constantly running. How do I connect another laptop to recover the photos and e-mails from this "dark" computer? Secondary monitor . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *I'd recommend to buy the controller board + power supply from this e-bay store: http://www.ebay.com/usr/e-qstore Why? A: You don't need another laptop… But display is not coming in Laptop Screen. 7. Some of the tips make more sense than the others, and you’ve probably had some of them in your mind, but one thing is for sure – you will be surprised with some of the tips. And if your old laptop is using Windows operating system, you’ll have a very easy way to turn your old laptop into a secondary monitor for your PC or primary laptop. In that case contact the seller, maybe you guys can figure this out. There are hosts of refurbishers that recondition and upgrade old computers for resale, or for use by people in under-served communities. I bought the right control board, have the right power adapter. How to shop old monitors for sale by brand. [email protected] is a scientific experiment which involves computers all around the world connected to their network. You just need the right parts (: Refer to this YouTube video for furth… I played with all the settings but still couldn't make it to look nice. In today's project, we'll be turning an old laptop and a Raspberry Pi into a magic mirror . can I use the laptop motherboard instead of the controller board? Anything’s better than just having the old laptop sitting in your drawer. But, now, what YOU need to do: 1) Look at the LCD panel, find the model number; 2) Buy* an Controller Board that meets your LCD model (and you will probably need an power supply that meets the controller board specification);      2.1) If you make your own board: Congratulations! With software such as iSpy, you get to turn your laptop webcam into video surveillance and cut costs on purchasing a CCTV. Most laptops utilize on or more of the following connections: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or USB-C (Thunderbolt 3).Some older laptops use VGA.These various connections are shown in the images below. Just some simple tips from the top of my head: 1) Remove the battery; 2) Don't touch the circuit with your hand or with the tools: you can manipulate this parts grabbing them by the sides; 3) Be sure that you are not "electric charged": statics can damage your LCD panel and other components that you may want to use; 4) Remember: there is always an hidden screw, so double check that you remove them all; 5) I SAID DON'T TOUCH THE CIRCUIT! It served me well for a good 5 years with a number of service centre visits, battery and hard disk replacements, formats and OS upgrades. 2. Now, you can look behind of your LCD panel and see the MODEL NUMBER! We’ve looked into many different options and did a lot of brainstorming sessions to come up with the best 10 tips to present to you. Otherwise, I permit you to forget about that old laptop and buy a new, monitor, for no less than, say, $80. Here's his video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n5qWv6Hijk Thank you e-qstore! When I turn it on all I get is a bright white screen. But when i connect it with external monitor it working fine. Avoid the Trash Heap: 15 Great Uses for an Old PC. 3 years ago. But you need some hardware that interfaces the HD and the USB. This tip is for everyone who cares about making the Earth green and contributing to the cause. The brightness is very high at 50%. I upgraded my laptop to Windows 10 and my remote display with the Samsung TV stopped working. But the LCD was still OK, so, why not make an second monitor of it? Even if the main computer is broken, you can extract the display panel, and reuse it. No matter what type of laptop, smartphone, or tablet you have, you can find a replacement screen for it. Reply I've tried using the VGA, DVI and HDMI connections - they all do the same thing. (: 6) Have fun! First things first: I'm really wanted to show how you can build this board using micro-controllers, like Arduino for instance, so you can build and modify it yourself. If you like the specs of the old laptop, but don’t want the dual displays, here is the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2. If you aren’t familiar with Linux, it’s just another operating system that’s based on open-source code, so there are many different versions (we recommend going for some of the most popular ones). Odyson - Complete LCD Screen Display Assembly Replacement for MacBook Air 13" A1466 (Mid 201… Because of the price, they had the cheapest controller board that I found. It's really delicate (refer to the YouTube video in Intro). Windows does this extremely well – the Windows Store allows you to download apps for all kinds of streaming media and then displays them on a … In this section, I'll just say some words about this magic piece of hardware. Don't trash it. The purpose here is to remove as much hardware as possible while still maintaining your PC's ability to power on. And I’m going to see if I can’t can I Alize the boards on my laptop to use as the controllers. After normal setup of new computer and registering with Microsoft, one picture I used on desktop is displayed on my new computer. He is at the same time an avid technology addict that loves reviewing gadgets & devices, and then writing useful reviews. Click Windows Start followed by the Gear icon. Also tried changing to different resolutions. 5) Feedback! You can use it as a External HD for backup. Have you succeed with this? Start your computer with essential hardware only. You just need the right parts (: Refer to this YouTube video for further information: How to turn any laptop screen into a monitor Important note: I'm just showing you guys what I did and how I did it. If an external monitor also doesn't work with the laptop and you read through the page linked above, the internal graphics card or cable is defective. And if the position of the flat cable is different than mine, you will need to make it different. on Introduction. Recycle your old laptop. The display resolution or display modes of a digital television, computer monitor or display device is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. Plus, you're talking in the hundreds … Old computer was killed by ransom-ware. Rick Broida. I am wondering if it is because there is nothing covering the back of the screen, or just my screen or controller isn't good. This is a super simple but also very awesome project. Old Computer Recycling We accept old Mac & PC computers and monitors to be recycled, at a cost of $5 per unit. You may need to have the graphics card or motherboard replaced. You will need this number so you can buy the correct CONTROLLER BOARD. There also some parts that you still can use, like the Hard Drive! How to Use Your Old Laptop Screen with Raspberry Pi or Your Computer After reading an article on Liliputing about using Raspberry Pi Zero with Motorola Lapdock, I decided to look for clones for the device since Motorola Lapdock is now hard to buy at a decent price, if at all, since the product has been discontinued for a while. 5 years ago, idk it would be cool if you could that would save a lot of money, Reply Resolution . Please, share your solution, your approach, anything, it would be REALLY useful! Intresting, maybe the polarizing screen is missign, check that if you can. If you think your old laptop has given its last breath a long time ago, you better think twice. We understand that everyone is concerned about privacy nowadays, and that’s why this just might be a perfect option for you. December 26, 2013 [Tim] found himself with a laptop that had a good 18.4″ screen, but otherwise didn’t run properly. I believe it's very, very difficult, but if we can do it, we can make it better, we can let people from anywhere in the world to build what they need. With that being said, you might not get as much money by selling it as you’ve expected. Do I have to put a opaque plate at the back of the screen to let the colors look properly? 14 hours ago, Answer I'm saying this because I'm sure that is a lot of countries that just can't buy the board (not because they don't have the money, it's because the store don't ship to them) and sure they have those display lying somewhere... UPDATE: Apparently, they do ship worldwide, but still, depending where you live, it will take a long time and it may become really expensive. This is especially important if you plan to use the monitor with an existing computer. From the past few years I have ditched the old laptop for a Macbook. ..you can turn your old laptop into a hotspot and expand the reach of your home network at no cost…. We’ve all felt the pain of slow WiFi connection at least once in our life, and what’s even worse is when it happens in your own home. ..a perfect way to use your old laptop to keep an eye on your dog or cat, monitor kids, your driveway, or just anything …. 12 Comments . He also said LCD and display … Obviously, this is a little bit different of an option than using your laptop as a monitor, as instead, you’ll be using your laptop to have complete control over your main PC. To connect the external display to a laptop, locate the correct port on the body of your laptop. Why not bacon??? by: Phillip Ryals. Connect the mouse and keyboard to your laptop. 1. It’s a network where you will be able to access, add or remove files directly from any device or computer connected to your network. Any idea what's going wrong? Still it's very lightweight, so I don't fell comfortable using it... Ok, there's a couple things that you can do to help with this Instructable (: 1) Make your own controller board. Screen resolution is the number of pixels on the display listed as the number across the screen by the number down the screen. Iam using 5 years old Dell Vostro 3550 Laptop. This piece of hardware does all the magic, and turn you useless LCD panel into a real monitor! Home » Tips & How-tos » Top 10 Ideas To Do With Your Old Laptop. Hey man whatever phone/camera you took this photo with has a pretty solid Zoom LOL. If you've ever wanted to play with a touch screen PC, or wanted a tablet for light reading—but didn't want to spend the money—you can actually turn a lot of old laptops into touch screen tablets. Using your existing, old laptop, you can get the seamless experience of a second monitor (sort-of) at only $29–39. 2) English is not my first language. We’ve written a post that explains everything in details, so we recommend checking it out since it might be a suitable option for many of you out there. Laptops decrease in value as they age, just like vehicles or any other products that are made to last for long. HDMI, which comes from High-Definition Multimedia Interface, is a technology that allows electronic devices to transport both video and audio streams to compatible computer monitors, TVs, video projectors, and other similar devices, using dedicated cables.. An Arduino or other microcontroller wouldn't be the tool for the job in this case.That being said, it is definitely cheaper and easier to just buy a ready-made control board. You can turn any modern laptop screen into a monitor with the proper driver board. 7 cool ways to reuse an old laptop. turn your old laptop into a secondary monitor, Turning it into a useful gadget such as a hotspot. It’s a great option for old laptops because it can overwrite your current OS and yet provide a faster booting, better virus resistance, and even Windows-like environment. Links:Board CaseVertical Holder UPDATE: The case don't fit, so I have to change some of the parameters before printing a new one D: But the "Vertical Holder" works as expected (com'on it's not high tech or something!). Suddenly it is showing no display (blank Screen). I'd love to have something that looks like a real product to use (:     3.1) Don't like 3D Printing? The idea is very similar to installing Linux as OS, just in this case, the Chrome OS is powered by Google and is perfect for someone who cares only about the web browsing and staying connected with Google Apps. 1 year ago. If your computer is relatively new, though, you might consider selling or trading it in instead. Old Laptop Screen Into Monitor: So, my laptop got old and suddenly stop working. I used a Samsung TV with both my Laptop and a Phone (both with the "old" kernel). Ok, everything should work as soon as you get everything connected! Share it with us! I went to the local shop, He said that it was motherboard problem. How to Reuse the Old LCD Screen of Your Broken Laptop. So, I know there is a lot of errors, some expressions that don't make sense... Tell me what is wrong (: 3) Make some 3D Printable model for the LCD + buttons + board, so it looks nice! If your computer still isn't displaying anything on your monitor, proceed to Step 12. 10 months ago 3) Again, DON'T TOUCH THE CIRCUIT: grab everything from the side; 4) Connect the flat cable controller board - LCD panel. You may be tempted to junk that ancient laptop or desktop, but if it was created any time in … Your old laptop might be slowed down with the latest OS updates, but what many people don’t think of is that the screen is still as good as it was the first day. Another option you might prefer is to use your laptop’s display (and its keyboard, mouse, trackpad) to control another computer. Add some tape to this connection to make it stead and less likely to be damaged. Plug your laptop and monitor in. While it is possible to run at a lower resolution, doing so creates an extrapolated display. The same thing happened after I upgraded my Nokia 930. But you're all smart guys, you already know this (: OK, so you have your old laptop and you don't mind remove the warranty seal, taking off all the screws... Look at the front panel, there may be some pieces of plastic covering some of the screws. How to connect an external display to my laptop. The easiest option is to extend your laptop’s display across multiple monitors, which is a great way to boost your productivity. Just like the screen, your old laptop probably has a webcam. I think I can make this Instructable better, but I need to know what you think! Laptops don't last forever, but the screens inside them usually do. Reply 2 months ago, Tip Installing such an operating system in your old laptop will revive it and bring more life to your web browsing and light software use. chromebook laptops are Google laptops that come with limited processing power, yet an operating system that is very light and doesn’t require a lot of processing power. I really can't go through disassembling it because it may be different for each type of laptop. Well, there’s is still hope and we definitely think there are a lot more useful ideas than selling. But you can buy from anyone else or do it yourself! What’s great about old laptops is their build style which allows users to access the components, make changes, repairs, and even replace or upgrade everything all together. I have found the controller but i want to get the oem multi touch screen working as well. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Power on your computer and log in. According to the EPA "recycling 1 million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year." 5. 3 months ago They heat up over time while in use, and I'm concerned that after a long period of use, it could damage the boards. 1. Check the display connection on your laptop and monitor. Whether its an LCD or LED screen, you can have a brand-new display and be on your way to watching your favorite movies, writing that novel youve been putting off, or simply surfing Facebook to keep up with family and friends. Its already on it and it only needs a converter to usb and drivers of course but it seems like it would be easy enough for a guy in the biz of making controllers to hdmi. In that case, you either want to buy the same brand or a compatible brand of old computer monitor for sale to make sure it will actually work. People will want to know if you could get this working, if you fail for some reason and you solved the problem, you know, this kinda of stuff. Welcome to NetBookNews, your ultimate web resource for all things mobile computing! Did you make this project? These will be PDFs with way more information than you will ever find useful. I also had some questions about what to do, how to do and they explained to me everything I wanted to know, so, thank you guys from e-qstore, you guys are awesome! I have an hp envy with a touch screen monitor. Connect the laptop to the monitor using an HDMI cable or HDMI cable and adapter. Question 5) Connect the power supply to the board and your PC, XBOX, PS3, BlueRay player, whatever... to your board. Thank you UC Berkeley for opening my eyes for the Maker Movement! Thank you YouTube user "Victorforu" for showing the right direction! That's ok (actually, it's not, but don't mind me...), you can make it from any material you are comfortable with! 3. Reply But no actual picture. Question If your laptop is very old and is struggling to run even some of the lightest operating systems – upgrading it has always been a possibility. If it wasn't for his video, I would never knew about the controller board and probably would be thinking that is impossible to do this. If you’re looking for a new laptop yet don’t know where to start, our article offers high value so we recommend you read it! Don’t throw your old TV or monitor out just yet. In case your old laptop features a very large hard drive that you could benefit from (and save yourself some money by avoiding the purchase of a new HDD), you can use your old laptop to create network-attached storage (NAS). ---- UPDATE: Dealing with Statics (Credits: TCSC4 and Tazmjm69) 1) Use a anti-static mat and/or an anti-static wrist strap; 2) Use your PC cabinet: have it perched on your work bench and keep touching the grounded metal case every few seconds or even lean on it as you work. Laptop displays look best when graphics are run at this resolution. However, if your laptop has really given its last breath a long time ago – recycling is a great way to go green and have someone take care of your laptop since the laptop has been taking care of you for so long. If your computer starts normally with only essential hardware installed, proceed to Step 11. … The question of what to do with the old laptop still remains, right?