Connecting PC (base unit only) to a Laptop?

going2die_rich

Can you connect a PC (just the Base Unit) to a Laptop and run the PC on the laptop screen? I don't think you can, but I thought I'd ask.

I basically have a base unit that needs setting up, but I don't have a monitor for it, but I do have a laptop, and was hoping to try and set it up by using my laptop screen to view it, rather than have the hassle of getting access to a monitor to do it (which will be a bit difficult right now)

The base unit is to be formated etc for someone else, and they'll be buying a monitor, so I only need a short term solution with my laptop to do the necessary install of Windows XP and a few other applications. I do own a KVM switch, but I don't think that will work either.

Anyone got any ideas, or is not possible?

Tyro_2

yes it is relatively easy.

UltraVNC is a powerful, easy to use VNC client, that can display the screen of another computer (via internet or network) on your own screen.

Download UtraVNC

You need to ensure that it loads at startup, and you need to know the user pasword of the base unit. Other than that, I found that you need a reasonably fast computer to get good performance.

HTH

Tyro

going2die_rich

Had a quick read of the software you mentioned, does it need to be istalled on both the base unit and the laptop?

If so, I can't install it on the base unit to begin with, so this wont solve this issue. The base unit doesn't have a password on it, just XP, which I think needs redoing as it was giving a lot of errors.

Good software though if I hadn't already bought a kvm switch previously.

Chippy_Minton

I don't think you can do it.

Yes, the VNC software has to be installed on both machines.

You could conceivably run the Windows XP Setup CD 'invisibly' on the desktop and use one of the online guides to install XP to see what keys to press etc., however this would be prone to error.

The easiest way is to find or buy a cheap 14" CRT display.

TimothyEBaldwin

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

You could conceivably run the Windows XP Setup CD 'invisibly' on the desktop and use one of the online guides to install XP to see what keys to press etc., however this would be prone to error.

Scripting the install would be a better solution to that problem, a technique often used by people who want to install software on lots of computers.

Tyro_2

oops no ultravnc wont allow you to install windows - it needs to be installed on to windows

epz_2

you could install a slipsteamed xp cd like some corporations roll that do the install automaticlly, there has got to be some guides or at least hooky images about.

pity you are using windows ive installed linux on a mates pc 3 miles away using ssh and x forwarding, way easier. also it meant i could keep my 6 year old dell flying allong till i broke it by running everything except the front end on an amd64, the network speed wasnt an issue and it beat the hell out of running apps on a 20gig laptop disk.

AndysDad

Hi, You could always try and get one "Free" off your local "Freecycle" site (Always available on my local site) and when you are finnished with it ,either keep it or pass it on to another free-Cycler.

going2die_rich

Thanks for all the help/info.

I can probably get access to a monitor from somewhere to get XP put on it. It's just a bit of hassle having to borrow someone's monitor to do it since the PC I am sorting out is quite old so probably have issues with drivers etc, so will be time consuiming, hence the reason I was hoping to connect it to my laptop to do in my own time.

I'll just do XP at a friends then install that VNC to do the other programs off the laptop.

Thanks for all the help though.