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M15X how to add second screen/external monitor

post #1 of 35
7/29/08 at 12:00pm
Thread Starter 
Hey all,

I have just received my AW m15x and so far, I'm really satisfied. But I do have one problem:

I have an external monitor, and I want to connect it to my m15x. Now, the screen only has a VGA port, and the laptop has only got a HDMI port...
Is there a way to connect those?

Kind regards
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post #2 of 35
7/29/08 at 2:00pm
Thread Starter 
And oh, I dont know if this helps, but I have an Express Card...

Please help me
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post #3 of 35
7/29/08 at 7:14pm
in theory, an HDMI to DVI cable with a DVI to VGA adapter would work. but i never tested it on my m15x, eve ything has at least a DVI input.
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post #4 of 35
7/30/08 at 7:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by marker01 View Post
eve ything has at least a DVI input.
Hm what do you mean everything? My screen has no dvi input... And it's not that old..

There is one wierd thing: on the back of the lcd screen, it indicates the following:

power - audio - dvi - dsub

But under the dvi marking, there's nothing...just metal.. no port..

Anyway, is there a reason why the 2 converters wont work?
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post #5 of 35
7/30/08 at 10:23am
DVI / HDMI have been the standard for many years now. DVI shortly after HDTV was released in the US, a decade ago.

the monitor you have has (had) the option for a DVI port but it was removed.

did you try the HDMI to DVI cable with a DVI to VGA cable?
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post #6 of 35
7/30/08 at 11:52am
There are HDMI to VGA adapter cables. You can find them at any computer accessories or electronics store.
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post #7 of 35
7/30/08 at 11:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip.Joris View Post
Hm what do you mean everything? My screen has no dvi input... And it's not that old..

There is one wierd thing: on the back of the lcd screen, it indicates the following:

power - audio - dvi - dsub

But under the dvi marking, there's nothing...just metal.. no port..

Anyway, is there a reason why the 2 converters wont work?
The two converters should work if you get the right ones.
Let us know how it goes.

Out of curiosity, what monitor do you have?
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post #8 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by marker01 View Post
. did you try the HDMI to DVI cable with a DVI to VGA cable?
Thank you for the history

But no, I did not try it. I'm going to. I need to get to the store first and get some cables
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post #9 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottwmp View Post
The two converters should work if you get the right ones.
Let us know how it goes.

Out of curiosity, what monitor do you have?
Okay, great!

I have an AGM A19-S . Dunno if this helps you
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post #10 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip.Joris View Post
I have an AGM A19-S .
Is this the adapter?
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post #11 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by moidock View Post
There are HDMI to VGA adapter cables. You can find them at any computer accessories or electronics store.
Really ? I called a store nearby (FNAC) and they said it was not possible to get VGA to HDMI. But I dont quite believe them (and I seem to be correct after reading some posts)

Thank you anyway. I'll go and have a look!
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post #12 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottwmp View Post
Is this the adapter?
No thats the screen. Tha brand is AGM, and its a 19 inch, type A-19s
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post #13 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:21pm
Got it, thanks.
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post #14 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:30pm
Maybe try this cable:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

with this adapter:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Comments?
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post #15 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottwmp View Post
Yes, I was going to try something like that...
Sure hope it works or I'm wasting my money
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post #16 of 35
7/30/08 at 1:48pm
At least from monoprice, it costs around $10 for the cable and adapter plus s & h.
That's not too bad.
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post #17 of 35
7/30/08 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottwmp View Post
At least from monoprice, it costs around $10 for the cable and adapter plus s & h.
That's not too bad.
s & h? (shipping and ?) ?

No you're right, thats not much
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post #18 of 35
7/30/08 at 3:21pm
shipping and handling=S &H
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post #19 of 35
7/30/08 at 5:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by littlefrankus View Post
shipping and handling=S &H
ok thank you.

Anyone has an idea if the 2 adapters will work?
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post #20 of 35
7/31/08 at 7:44am
You are wasting your money. It will not work

There is no way any adapter cable or cables can take a purely analogue signal (VGA) and convert it in to a purely digital (HDMI) format

There are 3 types of DVI connector, DVI-A, DVI-D and DVI-I

DVI-A has only the pins for the anaolgue connection
DVI-D has only the pins for the digital connection
DVI-I has pins for both analogue and digital

Your suggested connectors are HDMI to DVI-D and DVI-A to VGA

They will not even physically plug together as not only does DVI-D not have the analogue connection it does not even have holes for the analogue pins on DVI-A to fit into.



It is possible using a VGA to HDMI converter box for a few hundred dollars, for example
http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...186&lid=121454

Here is everything you ever need to know about DVI
http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html#Page06
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