Arch Linux

soupdotdev

Member

Registered: 2024-07-13

Posts: 2

Using another laptop to mirror a screen

I'm currently installing Arch linux on a laptop I'm intending to turn into a server. However, the screen is broken and I have to plug it into an external monitor to be able to see anything and thus use the laptop. Due to circumstances, it would be much easier if I could use another laptop as a screen for it. Is there any way to do this via usb/hdmi/both or wirelessly? Both laptops are running Arch Linux, but I'd like to avoid relying on software on the host as that wouldn't allow me to see anything in the boot menus or UEFI, but using anything on the end client is fine.
Anything to avoid paying for an external screen or capture card helps, thanks!

Last edited by soupdotdev (2024-07-13 14:22:41)

soupdotdev

Member

Registered: 2024-07-13

Posts: 2

Re: Using another laptop to mirror a screen

Here's an idea that I've thought of if anyone wants to validate if its possible:
Connecting a hdmi output from the host, into a usb-c adapter on the other laptop. I don't know if this would be possible, nor what software i would need on the other side, but it would work without software being needed on the host.

Head_on_a_Stick

Member

From: The Wirral

Registered: 2014-02-20

Posts: 8,999

Website

Re: Using another laptop to mirror a screen

Can you not use ssh from the second laptop? The Arch ISO image has a daemon running and it will connect automatically if an ethernet cable is present.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Instal … ux_via_SSH

The only manual step on the target machine is to set a root password, which could be done without a screen.

EDIT: or use a bootstrap image and modify it on the second laptop before running the target machine.

Last edited by Head_on_a_Stick (2024-07-13 15:07:52)

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Trilby

Inspector Parrot

Registered: 2011-11-29

Posts: 30,456

Website

Re: Using another laptop to mirror a screen

laptop hardware is not configured for this to be possible.  There are potential software solutions like ssh above or remote desktop tools, but something must be running on the external laptop.  There is no way to just plug into the monitor of a laptop from some other video source.

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"UNIX is simple and coherent" - Dennis Ritchie; "GNU's Not Unix" - Richard Stallman