two a31p used as dual monitors?

[ingber]

Hi. I have two a31p's, one running xp Pro SP3 (soon to be changed to Win7 Ultimate) and one running Ubuntu 10.04.

Can I use one of these, e.g., the Windows PC, as a primary monitor, and the second one as a 2nd monitor. I tried simply connecting the (blue) connectors between the two (which works OK with the Windows PC and a TV), and then setting the Display Properties -> Settings to
2. (Multiple Monitors) on ATI MOBILITY FIRE GL 7800
and checked
Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor
The primary monitor has resolution 1600 by 1200, and when switching to two monitors I tried settings like
2048 by 1536
1600 by 1200
etc., but I could not see anything on my Ubuntu screen (when logged in as a user, or not logged in).

Is this a possible setup?

Thanks.

Lester

[RealBlackStuff]

The VGA port only supplies a signal OUT, i.e. from the laptop towards an external monitor.
It cannot accept an input-signal.
You'll need to invent a different strategy.

[schen]

Hi. I have two a31p's, one running xp Pro SP3 (soon to be changed to Win7 Ultimate) and one running Ubuntu 10.04.

Can I use one of these, e.g., the Windows PC, as a primary monitor, and the second one as a 2nd monitor.

Your post reminded me of something I saw when I was surfing around one day. Here's a link that can get you started:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/usin ... timon.mspx

The first part of this article is the run-of-the-mill add a monitor to your computer stuff, but the second part of the article is interesting in that it uses some software to spread extended monitor functions through the network. It might work for you, but you'd have to get the software and probably dual-boot your Ubuntu machine.

Good luck with it.

[schen]

OK, here's another blog article that gives a overview of several products:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jonathanh/archi ... 85668.aspx

Also, here's a YouTube vid. that shows a demo using Xdmx on a laptop running Ubuntu, so that might be of great interest to you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOzRCBGDVaE

[ingber]

Hey! These are great leads. When I get a chance to try them, I'll report back here.

I have Wine running on Ubuntu PCs so that might help for the Windows stuff. I have Cygwin running on the Windows PCs, so that might help with the Linux stuff.

I have 4 old old a31p Thinkpads. I was looking at some new laptops, but even for stiff price I don't like them. I actually tried two HP Envy 17 with SSDs and returned them. The i7 chip is in the front left, and the left panel gets hot enough to literally fry an egg! (If I didn't return the suckers to HP, I would have made a youtube showing an egg fry.)

I'm disappointed enough to try to get two coupled-a31p's set up for my wife and I, using these 4 a31p's. At least we might enjoy the large screens. We need some Windows for some software, otherwise with all-Ubuntu we might be able to take advantage of two processors as well as two monitors.

Thanks.

Lester

[AMATX]

try MaxiVista. I allows one 'puter to drive multiple other 'puter screens.

RonS on this board is THE MAN when it comes to multiple monitor support.

Here's a thead/video demoing various approaches, including maxivista. Worth a look...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=84844

[crashnburn]

try MaxiVista. I allows one 'puter to drive multiple other 'puter screens.

RonS on this board is THE MAN when it comes to multiple monitor support.

Here's a thead/video demoing various approaches, including maxivista. Worth a look...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=84844

I think for what you want MaxiVista is the way. This is not just multimonitor, its using Multimachines as virtual monitors