Using Old Laptop as Second or Dual Monitor?

Question

How would I hook an old Laptop up to my desktop so I can use it as a second Monitor?

ie. being able to drag my mouse across the screen to it.

I'm really hoping that there's some sort of simple cable I can run between the two.

Answer 1

hmm seems to me there was a program that would allow this...it installed a basic os or something and connected via usb to allow the laptops screen to be used as a monitor.

MaximumPC I think had an article about it you could check their back issues online which are in pdf format.

Why not just buy a cheap 17" LCD? Probably get one for less than $100

Answer 2

I use "synergy", a virtual Keyboard/Mouse client/server sharing application where you install it on both PCs, and set up the "server" mode for the PC where you want to have the shared keyboard/mouse and set up the laptop as the "client" where it will take remote keyboard / mouse signals from your desktop pc.

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

If the computers are networked (i.e. plugged into the same network / subnet) then you only need to configure your local firewall(s) to share the proper ports.

There are also several other KM sharing applications that work similiarly, I use synergy to share between windows & linux PCs here at the office.

cheers