Two PCs, One Monitor

m5rcc

Is it possible to connect two PCs with one monitor without a KVN switch or similar.

Is there some sort of "virtual monitor" that exists if I plug the second PC to the first PC via VGA>DVI?

mr_fishbulb

You can get a monitor with different inputs. Put the DVI from one and the VGA from the other. You can switch displays by pressing the Input button.

For sharing keyboard and mouse, look at something like this - http://synergy-foss.org/

m5rcc

I don't have that luxury at the moment, I know it could be done like that but I'm not currently in a position to do it as so....

My monitor has DVI-D only.
My main PC can accept any DVI
The other PC I want to hook up is VGA only.

Leo2020

Have you thought about remote access software? http://www.realvnc.com/index.html

You will need a monitor connected to both PCs to set-up the software but once set-up you can just use your "main" PC to access the other one.

m5rcc

My monitor ONLY has DVI-D Dual-Link output.
My main PC has 2 x DVI
The 2nd PC has VGA.

I have 1 x DVI-D to DVI-D cable which I currently use
I have 1 x VGA to DVI-I

With purely the above, can I connect two PCs to the monitor - that is the question....

banger9365

look at KVM switches and do it the old way

m5rcc

banger9365 wrote: »

look at KVM switches and do it the old way

OK the answer is no then, as per post #1 I asked it it can be done without a KVM.

almillar

No. Your PCs have OUTputs and the monitor has INputs. No software can change that.Your best bet is above, use VNC or some other remote access programme (Windows 7 at least has one built in) to access the less used computer from the most used one. If it logs in automatically you can simply switch it on and login to the VNC after a couple of minutes.
You don't mention what your monitor is, but I guess if it's 19 inch or something, you could spend very little money buying the same size with VGA AND DVI and selling your old one.

m5rcc

almillar wrote: »

No. Your PCs have OUTputs and the monitor has INputs. No software can change that.Your best bet is above, use VNC or some other remote access programme (Windows 7 at least has one built in) to access the less used computer from the most used one. If it logs in automatically you can simply switch it on and login to the VNC after a couple of minutes.
You don't mention what your monitor is, but I guess if it's 19 inch or something, you could spend very little money buying the same size with VGA AND DVI and selling your old one.

OK INput then. I'm not asking for any software to change that.

My monitor is a Dell 3007WFP. It only has DVI-D Dual-Link input.

I know it can be done with other cables etc, but as I've said and asked before can I do it with the current hardware that I have presented to you? It would appear the answer is no, UNLESS VNC can work if the 2nd PC is plugged directly into the main PC with a VGA to DVI cable. Can it?

bazster

m5rcc wrote: »

OK INput then. I'm not asking for any software to change that.

My monitor is a Dell 3007WFP. It only has DVI-D Dual-Link input.

I know it can be done with other cables etc, but as I've said and asked before can I do it with the current hardware that I have presented to you? It would appear the answer is no, UNLESS VNC can work if the 2nd PC is plugged directly into the main PC with a VGA to DVI cable. Can it?

If you are using Windows you don't need VNC, it already has Remote Desktop built-in (cue someone telling me that home versions don't...).

Howsoever, with either VNC or Remote Desktop the 2nd computer doesn't need to be plugged into the main computer at all (except that they both need to be on the same network, which they already are if they are connected to the same router).

I used to do it like this, but now I use a KVM switch, which frankly I find is far less hassle.

m5rcc

bazster wrote: »

If you are using Windows you don't need VNC, it already has Remote Desktop built-in (cue someone telling me that home versions don't...).

Howsoever, with either VNC or Remote Desktop the 2nd computer doesn't need to be plugged into the main computer at all (except that they both need to be on the same network, which they already are if they are connected to the same router).

I used to do it like this, but now I use a KVM switch, which frankly I find is far less hassle.

Won't I need the 2nd PC to accept a Remote Desktop access? If so, how, as I cannot plug it directly into the monitor which is the problem in the first place...