1 monitor hooked to two systems - is it possible

[bob733]

I have 2 desktop systems sitting side by side. Is it possible to have 1 monitor hooked up in such a way that if system A needs it, I can switch it over (A/B box?) to that system, or if system B needs it, I can switch it over there?

Thanks in advance.

[krohnjw]

You will need to get a KVM switch, that will allow you to use one monitor / keyboard / mouse with 2 computers.

You could also pick up an old box switch, which is just a simple mux, and hook the 2 up if you can dig up one of those That would require 2 Kb and mice though

[jmebonner]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...manual+2%2Dway


It'll switch your keyboard and mouse as well. There are better ones, but this one's pretty inexpensive.

[scarecrow1]

You could try using "Black Box"or switch box that allows you to use the same Monitor , keyboard and mouse with up to 4 computers, depending on the capacoty of the switch box.

[M_Six]

Yep. You need a KVM switch. It stands for Keyboard-Video-Mouse. It lets you share those three things between two or more PCs. The other option would be to run VNC, Radmin, or Remote Desktop on one PC and use one of those programs to connect to it from the other PC. In that case, though, both PCs have to be networked.

EDIT: ARRRGH!! THREE people beat me to it this time. I'm really getting slow in my old age.

[bob733]

Great... thanks a lot guys... I can go to the newegg webpage as someone suggested, but can I also just go to the Radio Shack around the corner and get one? (or Staples, Office Depot etc)

[jmebonner]

Staples:
http://www.staples.com/catalog/searc...IpClassCount=3

Office Depot:
http://www.staples.com/catalog/searc...IpClassCount=3

Conclusion:
Way more expensive. You may still want to check around if it's worth spending a couple hours of your day on.

g/l!

[Quidam]

A 2 port switch should set you back about $50. Be sure that the cables are included.

[bob733]

I opted for the 49 buck Belkin KVM from Staples over the less expensive one from Egghead because it would be easier to take it back if it did not work..

But it does and it is great.... solved my problem so thanks a lot guys for the quick excellent help.

[bob733]

This is a beautiful Catch 22 with the Belkin 2 port (cables included KVM switch):

system a has 2 monitors
system b has 2 monitors
hooked up a Belkin 2 port kvm to system b (because I wanted to share system b's second monitor with system a. (in other words, sometimes I want system a to have 3 monitors and system b to have only 1 monitor.

So far so good, it switche the monitors great. System a winds up with 3 monitors and system b has only the 1 monitor.

Here is the catch 22:

The Belkin KVM is powered by the keyboard of the system. Therefore, when I switch system b to only have one monitor, the keyboard goes away also! IN other words, if system a has 3 monitors, and system b has only 1 monitor, system b also does not have use of its own keyboard! aaarrrrggghhhhh

Does anyone know how to fix this catch 22?

Thanks once again in advance.