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LCD Displays That Fit In A 5.25" Drive Bay?

Posted by timothy on from the entrepreneurs-take-note dept.

An anonymous reader asks: "Several years ago, I saw several manufacturers that sold LCD displays that slid out of the 5-1/4" bay, flipped down, and allowed you to have a minimal monitor that stored in the case. Since it slid out and flipped down, that meant it easily fit into 1U and 2U rack mounted hardware. Now that I'm about to get charged beacoup bucks for having a monitor at the CoLo where I have my servers, I'm looking for something like this again. (SSH doesn't help with hardware and BIOS settings.)" Read on for some details on what he's looking for -- you may be after the same thing (or better yet, have such screens to sell).

"Yes, I have tried Google, but no one seems to be making these anymore. There's scads of links to projects where people mount their own LCD display vertically in 3 unused bays in a normal PC case, but I need something that will hide in a normal bay (just like a CD-ROM drive), and there obviously aren't 3 unused bays vertically arranged in a 2U rackmount case.

Anyone know of a manufacturer? Got an old model that works that you want to sell? I might even throw one in my car since then I could hide the display when I'm not using it, and it'd give me a minimal monitor for that SBC-based portable server I've been meaning to build, and it might be good enough to play some games on in a mini-portable system, etc., not to mention the sheer cool-factor."

15 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. Something different by addaon · · Score: 5, Informative

    This isn't at all what you want, but may work better for your purpose.

    --

    I've had this sig for three days.
    1. Re:Something different by orangesquid · · Score: 2, Informative

      I can vouch for how much fun---errr, how useful Weasels can be. Watchdog, separate CPU with flashable reprogrammable system code, full BIOS access, intelligent serial passthrough, remote reboot! Depending on exactly why you need an LCD, a Weasel might be an alternative. There's a weasel in my server right now. I can see his little tail poking out of the rear case fan.

      --
      --TheOrangeSquid Is it any wonder things seem so awry? We swim in a sea of confusion and don't have to think to survive
  2. A few places by kylus · · Score: 1, Informative

    You can try any of the ones from the LCDProc hardware page. These include CrystalFontz, Matrix-Orbital, and CwLinux to name a few. The first two of these companies have a pretty good selection of LCDs in different colors and with different viewable areas.

    --
    --Kylus
    Idiot-proof something, and Life will build a better Idiot.
  3. Another alternative by crow · · Score: 4, Informative

    I've seen a 1U pull-out tray that has a LCD, keyboard, and mouse. I think they're expensive, and you'll have to pay for an extra 1U (if that's how they charge). Still, it may be cheaper than a monitor.

    A quick Google on: keyboard mouse lcd 1u
    revealed several such solutions. It looks like they cost on the order of $3000.

    With prices like that, you're probably better off bringing a monitor in with you when you need to use it.

    1. Re:Another alternative by addaon · · Score: 2, Informative

      On a similar note, I got just a pull-out monitor (1U, 15.1" LCD) on Ebay for $300. Still, you'll have to pay for the 1U of space.

      --

      I've had this sig for three days.
  4. Serial Over Lan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Try Intel Server Motherboards, you can access the BIOS settings / powerup / powerdown your machine remotely with Serial Over Lan functionality

  5. Lousy Colo by stef0x77 · · Score: 4, Informative

    All the Colo's I've hosted at have had monitors (along with keyboard/mouse) on wheels, which you pull it over to your rack and plug it in.

    I'm suprised your provider doesn't have something similar.

  6. Re:two words... by eht · · Score: 2, Informative

    i'm just wondering if you even read to the point where he said "(SSH doesn't help with hardware and BIOS settings.)"

    guess what? serial console doesnt do diddly for BIOS setting either

  7. Here's what you're looking for by MrResistor · · Score: 4, Informative

    earthlcd.com

    They have kits with small LCDs and driver cards. There's a 6.3" monochrome with an ISA driver for $199 and a 7.8" color with a PCI controller for $299. Their outlines are 8.11" X 5.74", which should fit fine as a 5.25" bay is actually 5.875" wide. If you've got a few more bucks in your budget, or maybe don't have a free ISA or PCI slot, there's also an analog color 6.5" for $695 that's 7.04" X 4.99".

    You're going to have to rig up some sort of mounting bracket for it. I'd recomend looking up a small machine shop in the phone book to do the fab work. Usually small shops have pretty good machinists who will be able to give you some useful suggestions on the design of it, and I highly recomend taking advantage of their expertise if you want the bracket articulated in any way. Stay away from places that specialize in automotive machining, as they are generally considered to be the machining equivalent of an MCSE.

    --
    Under capitalism man exploits man. Under communism it's the other way around.
  8. Re:Dell has LCD/keyboard in 1U for $1400 by dynoman7 · · Score: 2, Informative

    ive used several of these...the trackball in the kb sucks.

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    Blarf.
  9. Re:Get some real hardware support by aderusha · · Score: 4, Informative

    i manage around a hundred remote compaq servers, and every single one of them has a remote insight board installed. it gives you remote key/mouse/video through any java enabled browser. it has it's own network interface and power supply, so it works even when the host system is powered off or completely broken. you wouldn't want to play quake through the thing, but slapping one of these in your boxes means you'll probably never have to physically touch that system again except for hardware replacements.

  10. Re:why not serial port console? by cowmix · · Score: 2, Informative

    A bunch of BIOSes support serial consoles now.. On full screen stuff, like text editors, the screen redrawing works kind of funky. It does work however.

  11. This is what you were looking for.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.logitec.co.jp/products/monitor/lcmt041a .html

  12. Here's what you want.... by penguin_nipple · · Score: 2, Informative

    Rackit Technology
    What you're looking for is a KVM over IP technology. There are numerous solutions out there for remote administration of multiple servers. The link provided is one vendor, but alot of vendors exist.

  13. it always amazes me.... by penguin_nipple · · Score: 3, Informative

    within the sheer numbers of Slashdot readers that so many people have so little experience. KVM over IP solutions will allow an administrator to have complete BIOS control over servers located at a NOC. Additionally these systems can be integrate into keypad lockable cases and power management systems for a very slick remote management system.