How to setup an Acer W10 laptop as the *only* monitor for a W10 HP desktop?

[21rouge]

I recently took delivery this HP windows 10 desktop which is intended to replace a senior citizen's windows 7 machine. He is out of town and as his internet is slow I would like to have it fully updated (windows updates and the like) and set up for him (email, AV, games e.t.c.) before I bring it over. As I have no dedicated external monitor in my possession I need to use my Acer laptop as the only monitor for this desktop to do this setup. I would really would like to know, step by step, how to have this happen i.e. how to "project" the desktop to the laptop so I can see what's happening. Thanks for your experience.

[BeemerBiker]

This is going to be difficult if the desktop does not have a monitor.  You have to log into windows on the desktop and hit ctrl-p to select the external (wifi) monitor.  I went through this with another user last month and can find the thread if you are interested.

I think what you need to do is simply use remote desktop**

On the gentlemen's system, enable remote desktop connection and make a new administrator account for yourself.

On your laptop, connect remotely to his system.

** This assume both the laptop and desktop are windows "pro"

If one or both are "home" then download and install the free version of splashtop.  Put streamer on the senior's system and personal on your laptop.  You will have to configure the seniors system for autologin else you will have to guess blindly when attempting to login in without a monitor.  Autologin is not necessary with Windows remote desktop.

If you need a walk-through, post back here for help.

[itsmyname · Accepted solution]

@21rouge -- A "low-tech" option is available.

Do you have a "modern" TV, with multiple inputs, such as HDMI or DVI or VGA ports?

If so, what video-outputs does his desktop computer have? HDMI? DVI? VGA?

Hopefully, you can match the video-output from the computer to the video-input on your TV.

Then, on the TV, use the "source" or "input" button to select HDMI or DVI or VGA or PC input, to display the Windows Desktop on your TV.

QED

P.S. I often see pre-owned monitors at the local "Thrift Store" for $20. Buy one, and use it for a few days, and then donate it back to that store.

[21rouge]

@Itsmyname, I never thought of using my TV as the temporary external monitor. For sure our "smart" TV has an HDMI input as of course does the new tower. (The tower I purchased for him also has VGA. The VGA is convenient as we can still use his existing old monitor once we bring the new tower to his home). 

(The only inconvenience to doing it this way is that my TV is way large and so can't be moved which makes it problematic to type from the keyboard/use the mouse that came with the tower. Oh well it would be only temporary)

[itsmyname]

@21rouge -- inconvenience

How long is the HDMI cable between his computer and your TV?  🙂