How I did the second monitor from the laptop display

It so happened that I had a dead HP 625 laptop with a 15.6 matrix and an NTA92C VGA / DVI LCD panel controller. There was no desire to restore the laptop, so it was decided to duplicate the second monitor from the above parts, so that mounted to a VESA regular monitor. With minimal time and financial costs for me in the framework of the “weekend project”.

“Weekend Project” is what I do for a short period of time (weekends or within 1-2 weeks) in order to solve problems that are atypical for me. The main goal: to solve the problem, to gain experience and skills, to expand your "toolkit".

The ability to connect notebook displays to a computer (VGA / DVI / HDMI) is provided by various kinds of LCD panel controllers. The NTA92C controller was suitable for my display (you can buy it on ebay, aliexpress, etc.)

Starting materials

• 15.6 "display
• NTA92C controller
• Power supply for 12V 4A controller
• Metal profile for drywall 60x27
• Metal profile for drywall 28x27

Instruments

• Drill
• Riveter
• Thread Tap
• Scissors for metal
• Pliers and screwdrivers in stock
• Glue gun

Theoretical part

The display will be attached to the monitor in place for a VESA mount and stick out from the side like an ear. It does not weigh a little, which means that the monitor will skew. To avoid skewing, add a counterweight to the other side.





Having weighed and measured everything, I got this:

42cm * 920 grams + 28cm * 210 grams = 24cm * Xgrams

X = 42cm * 920 grams + 28cm * 210 grams / 24cm = 1855 grams

This is the figure I was guided by when collecting the counterweight. From scrap materials for the counterweight, I took the coins.

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Practical part

Display

The display from the laptop is removed together with the body part and hinges (so it is aesthetically pleasing). On the hinges there is a stopper for opening the lid of the laptop and it really hinders us, since now they will be open at angles greater than 140 degrees.





The limiter is a ledge in the frame. It can either be whipped off or hammered back, as I did.





Next, having made the case for the LCD controller from the case from the power adapter (yes, yes, I disassembled the power adapter), I attached the whole thing to the back of the display with a glue gun. On this with the display was over.

Frame

We assemble a square from profile 28x27. This is necessary firstly because the display hinges and the 60x27 profile are mounted on opposite sides of the square. And secondly, to increase the thickness of the metal under the thread for bolts. Profiles are fastened together in a square with the help of a riveter, then the thread for the bolts is cut.







In profile 60x27 we make 2 holes for VESA fastening (I have it VESA MIS-D, 100, C - that is, the holes are 10 cm apart) and fasten with rivets with a previously made square.

Power Supply

The power supply housing was disassembled for the subsequent placement of the power supply inside the 60x27 profile (it did not fit with the housing)







I made a body replacement (as insulation) from cardboard and stuck it with a gun on the profile. The power supply itself is glued to the corners of the cardboard.







In the end, I got this “spade”.

Installation and connection

We fasten the “spade” to the main monitor with bolts (from some furniture left) on VESA. Attach the counterweight. We connect DVI and power.





The display is not immediately determined. Go here: Control Panel → Screen → Screen Resolution Settings → Find and customize to fit your needs. Everything! Our second monitor is ready!

disadvantages

• Not a good matrix. Firstly, it is glossy and because of this glare. Secondly, not very good viewing angles (Fortunately, the hinges have not lost their ability to rotate the display at the desired angle).
  
  
• Due to the difference in the relationship between the sides of the displays (main 1920x1080, second 768x1360) there is no effect of a single display. Yes, I did a resolution of 768x1024, - much better with solidity, but the picture did not suit me in quality (the letters swam a little).
  
  
• My profile construction is not very good. it is poorly resistant to torsion, which arises due to its features and the method of application of loads in it. This problem can be avoided by fitting the second profile to the bottom two VESA mounting holes and riveting everything into a rigid structure.

By the way: I don’t know whose cant it is, but when I connected my display to the VGA output of the Samsung R519 laptop under Xubuntu, the colors on the display were very strange.

findings

The next “project” was completed and the final result was obtained.

The total cost of construction at the price of the matrix is ​​1000 ~ 1500, the controller ~ 900 rubles, the power supply unit with a cord ~ ​​400 rubles and consumables 50 ~ 100 rubles is 1950 ~ 2500 rubles. For this money (well, maybe just adding) you can buy a completely sane second monitor. I got the second display almost for nothing (having spent only 25 rubles for a small drill and coins for 150 ~ 200 rubles). All the rest somehow I had. It was necessary only to dig in the drawers of the table.



If I had to do it a second time, then I would use aluminum corners or squares.