Using an old iMac as a 2nd Monitor

[natedaag]

Hi
My mom is getting ready to get rid of an old iMac and I am currently in need of a second monitor. Is it possible to use an iMac as a second monitor without having to push buttons on a keyboard every time? Would it be possible to remove the hard drive or the OS and have it just work as a second monitor every time? I don't want to have to keep a second keyboard around just to put the computer in monitor mode but if I could just leave the thunderbolt plugged in and have it work, that'd be great.
Unfortunately, I don't know what exact year it is, or what exact ports it has on it - any of the stats, I couldn't tell you, but I do know that it's REALLY slow, and not worth using as a computer, anymore.
Anyway, thanks for reading and even more if you respond.

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

Only certain 27" iMacs can be used as a display wth another Mac in Target Display Mode, and both Macs require Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt:

How to Use Your Old iMac as a Monitor

Hope that helps,

C