Running two PC's with common keyboard/mouse/monitor

LucianH

Has anybody got experience of using KVM switches or other ways of running two PC’s from a common keyboard/mouse/monitor?

My 9yr old Windows XP PC is about to go into semi-retirement. I’m about to get a new PC but I will want to keep my old one running for occasional access to some programs that I believe will only run on Windows XP.

I’ve not decided on the new PC yet but it will be mid to high end (Video/Photo editing, running multiple apps). I’m happy with current monitor and therefore just looking at a base unit.

The monitor is a Samsung SyncMaster 226BW which as a DVI-D - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) and a VGA 24 pin digital DVI. My existing PC has a Connect 3D ATI Radeon X1600PRO graphics card. Now a simple solution would be to use both of the Video-Ins of the monitor and switch the video source – then I’ll only need to share the keyboard and mouse. However, using a KVM to switch the video as well would be neater (single switch).

One factor that may prevent the use of a KVM switch is that I want to separate the PC’s by about 4-5 metres (the new PC adjacent to the desk but the old one some way off). Can DVI/VGA work OK over this distance?

Also, another option would be to use my old PC as some sort of server (eg, for backing-up). I suppose ideally it would be nice if I could fit a wireless card to my old PC and then find some way of accessing some of the programs via the new PC – hopefully working transparently so the programs would work OK . Would I be able to do this and keep XP running on the old PC?

My electronic engineering background (and I’m talking DTL/TTL technology for those old-timers!) means I can understand good old wires and switches but as soon as networking and servers come into play then I’m completely out of my depth. Any suggestions would be welcome?

rich_jtg

I used to use one when I had both a Mac and a PC.

At first tried lots of cheaper ones such as Belkin. These would either randomly flick between the two computers, or have video/audio interference.

Eventually spent extra and bought an Aten one that was solidly built, and worked reliably. Obviously, try to look for a DVI one rather than VGA.

Lincoln_Imp

Had it set up on mine years ago when i used to have 2 desktops
you can get long enough cables ,some bloke on ebay selling 5m and 10m
Bearing in mind it was a few years ago i had it set up with cables you could probably do it wireless nowadays ?

Another option is remote access ,something like Team viewer would work ,you can set it up so the 2nd pc only has to be turned on and not even logged in so no need to worry about keyboard/mouse

Fosterdog

I've used quite a few through work. I've used the switch boxes for up to 8 PCs and found that they can be temperamental but I've regularly use a Belkin one for two PCs and it's great, never had any issues with it. Although the one I use is around £50 the cheaper ones in any make tend to be a bit crap. I've been using this one for over three years and it's still going strong even with me constantly changing the PCs connected (I use this system for machines I'm repairing) they have at least one different one connected each day.

smileygill

I once used a program called Synergy to share keyboard, mouse and monitor between a Mac mini and a PC. Bit fiddly, iirc, but might be worth a look - and free. Don't have time to find it right now, sorry!

Mobeer

If the PCs are networked, have you thought of using Remote Desktop (in Windows)?

A slightly OTT guide is here:
http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/cs/remotedesktop.html

victor2

I set up an old XP machine and new Win 7 one with the following KVM switch last year:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aten-CS22U-2-Port-Cable-Switch/dp/tech-data/B002NTIZCG/ref=de_a_smtd

Works fine. The old XP machine had a PS2 connector for the keyboard but accepted USB with no problem. It switches between the two machines with no fuss.
Only thing we found was that if you boot the Win 7 machine without the KVM switched over to it, it will default to a lower resolution display, as it can't detect the monitor connected. Not a problem once you realise and the Win 7 computer is the one predominantly connected to anyway. You just have to remember to switch back to it before you shut it down, which you usually do anyway.

As for transferring files, both machines plug into the same broadband router, so it's easy to share files or folders.

LucianH

Thanks everyone.

Victor2 - looks like the same setup I'm thinking about and the KVM switch is not a bad price.

Lincoln Imp - I vaguely rembemer reading about Teamviewer for accessing a PC over the internet - I wonder if it has to go via the Internet when the two PC's are connected to the same router. Looks worth investigating.

GunJack

LucianH wrote: »

I vaguely rembemer reading about Teamviewer for accessing a PC over the internet - I wonder if it has to go via the Internet when the two PC's are connected to the same router. Looks worth investigating.

If I get chance later, I'll try it with two of mine and let you know

closed

install vnc

victor2

If you're going to go the TeamViewer/vnc route, check that the old machine will actually boot without a keyboard, mouse or monitor connected. You don't want the old "keyboard not detected - press any key to continue" error!