2 PC's 1 keyboard & 1 mouse???

trackerman

Whats the best way to set up a two PC workstation with just one monitor, one keyboard and one mouse?

There are commercially available "switch over" units but I'm sure it must be possible with advent of wireless keyboards and mice.... anyone tried this approach?

My monitor already has dual inputs, so I really only need to switch the keyboard and mouse.


Ray

Hal1

It be a KVM switch that your looking for. Expansys sell them or pc world.

trackerman

Yep seen that option, but it's a bit of overkill for my needs, my monitor already has a switch on he front for two inputs.

I was thinking that there must be a way to do it with wireless, i.e. one wireless keyboard/mouse and two bluetooth dongles, after that it's all software.

I have also seen virtual control solutions that use ethernet, but that requires a master slave configuration, so the master must always be powered on.

So I'm looking around for a wireless solution, if it exists.

Hal1

Oh right I read it too quick. Yeah its possible to get them wireless kvms too see here. Komplett or expansys might have one. Wait a second there is an app I found there a while back that can do the job over IP its called synergy and its opensource.

p.s. There is a client and host software for it that you will need to setup. Host on your primary pc and client on all other pc's.

dubdvd

maybe if you you just got a second receiver for the keyboard and mouse and plug it into the second PC that way the mouse and keyboard would work on both PC's but it could be confusing as each command would be going to both PC's at the one time .I know it doesnt make much sense but TBH i'd gowith the wireless KVM if i was you .Or why not do this send a remote assistance request to the PC without the keyboard and mouse and leave it open 24/7 and then you can control the second pc with the mouse and keyboard from the first PC .lol

hopeful

Hal1 wrote:

Wait a second there is an app I found there a while back that can do the job over IP its called synergy and its opensource.

p.s. There is a client and host software for it that you will need to setup. Host on your primary pc and client on all other pc's.

Thanks for this link. I've been looking for ages for something that will do this. I didn't want a KVM as I use one monitor but two PC's. Works well but not the easiest to set up...or maybe I was tired

Saruman

But thats precisely what a KVM is for! ONE monitor and 2 PC's (or more) with ONE keyboard and mouse

hopeful

True...but this solution does not have the mass of cables....and is free!

Conor108

Yeah Synergys good and it can work with multiple OSs! Check out this setup using Synergy!

http://lifehacker.com/photogallery/mitry/1804767

dathiultaigh

Does anyone know does synergy also you to connect to the other systems to view say the bios settings?

In the past I have used products like VNC in the past to view multiple desktops whilst only using 1kb and mouse but of course the VNC service only operates with in win32 enviorment so any one know of tools capable of connecting to a system say that would be halted at a post bios password authentication screen (pre-windows boot) OR connecting to a system to enter the bios on boot?