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| Thread ID: 46988 | 2004-07-12 07:24:00 | Seeing two computers on the one monitor | rugila (214) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 251704 | 2004-07-12 07:24:00 | It seems there are KVM switches that you can use for this. I haven't tried one, don't know if the're worth the trouble/cost or even if they are available here. My situation is I have a computer used mainly as a server but a few other uses. I want to look into it occasionally, too occasionally for the cost and space another monitor would take up. Just how do KVM switches actually give displays? Do you have to switch entirely from one computer to the other, or can you get a windowed display of both on the same screen at the same time? If KVM switch doesn't do this, is there any way of achieving this? Have XP Pro installed on one machine and XP Home on the other. |
rugila (214) | ||
| 251705 | 2004-07-12 07:29:00 | > Have XP Pro installed on one machine and XP Home on > the other. If running xp, and the two PCs are networked, you could try running remote desktop connection (use netmeeting RDC, it works very well). No KVM switch would be required. Mike. |
Mike (15) | ||
| 251706 | 2004-07-12 07:32:00 | Download VNC (http://www.realvnc.com) | wotz (335) | ||
| 251707 | 2004-07-12 07:41:00 | You can use KVM switches for this - I used one for some time before buying a second Keyboard/Monitor/Mouse and it worked very well. Depending upon what KVM you get, you just hook up the monitor, keyboard and mouse to the KVM switch. From the KVM switch there are two sets of monitor, keyboard and mouse connectors - each set plugging into the two computers. To switch between computers you just need to power on one up to the desktop, and then using the switch keys (in my case it was just using scroll-lock, scroll-lock, ESC as hot keys on the keyboard) and then boot up the second computer. You then can switch between the computers by merely hitting the hot keys again and the other computer's desktop appears on the monitor. If it is for a server, you might be able just leave the 2nd PC running, and just switch to it when you wish to do some task. It does not matter if the first PC gets powered off at any stage. This is the same model of KVM switch that I used - here (www.dse.co.nz) (mine was not from DSE tho, they have just added their logo to the same product) |
Jen C (20) | ||
| 251708 | 2004-07-12 07:46:00 | Simple mechanical KVM switches just create the connection that displays when that PC is selected on the switch (pretty crude really but it works). The newer electronic KVM switches emulate a monitor/keyboard/mouse on the unused circuits then when selected the KVM grabs the selected PCs output and displays it. I purchased an electronic KVM (4-way) a while ago but you cannot use it to display multiple desktops. I never found one that would do this (I was looking for one). The other posters to the thread have already identified the only way to do multiple displays in windows that I know of. It is worth the time to learn how to use say VNC if you really need multiple display capability. VNC is well respected and there is heaps of help available online. |
John Grieve (367) | ||
| 251709 | 2004-07-12 08:25:00 | rugila I've had a KVM for some few months now ( DSE KVM Switch PS/2 Auto V2, Product Code XH4512 ), and I'd hate to be without it . I use it daily to switch between my regular machine and an older spare that I use for experimenting with . The space saving in not having two monitors keyboards and mouses clutter my desk is a real bonus It's particularly useful when someone calls up needing help with a bust PC . . . . I get them to bring the box only and it can be hooked up in seconds without have to crawl around the floor unscrambling cables and then reconnecting afterwards . You can monitor only one PC at a time ( i . e . not split screen )but the switching is instantaneous . brig |
brig (1359) | ||
| 251710 | 2004-07-12 09:12:00 | I also have the same KVM switch from DSE as Brig . Like Brig I hook up another computer to my keyboard, mouse and monitor to repair it whilst still being able to use my own PC for researching the computer's problems on the internet . To switch between each computer I tap the Scroll Lock key twice then the Esc key . One thing I have noticed is that the mouse is very slightly less responsive when hooked up to the KVM switch so I have the mouse speed cranked up to High . It is a really good gadget for doing what I do but you might wish to investigate the VNC option first . |
Susan B (19) | ||
| 251711 | 2004-07-12 19:18:00 | " One thing I have noticed is that the mouse is very slightly less responsive when hooked up to the KVM switch so I have the mouse speed cranked up to High. " Thanks for that Susan, I had been wondering why my mouse had become less responsive so that I'd had to turn the pointer speed up to maximum. brig :) |
brig (1359) | ||
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