2 PC's to one monitor

Baby_Mechanic_1

Afternool all.

I am a Luddite, proud of it, and will be extremely grateful for any help and assistance made available to me.

I'd like to be able to use the same monitor, keyboard,mouse and speakers etc for two PC's, as the older PC runs a game I enjoy playing that I can't run on the newer PC.

I'd like to avoid disconnecting and reconnecting cables each time I swap between the two, and Google suggests a KVM Switch device.
My question is - is that my best option ?
And if it is, what's the easiest one to set up and use ?

Thank you kindly

pramsay13

KVM switch is a good option so just pick one and try it out.
Are you sure you can't run the game on the newer PC? Normally it's the other way round that you can't run a newer game on an older computer.
Another option would be setting up the old computer to run remote desktop so you are on your new computer but accessing the old one. 

victor2

A KVM switch should do the job, so long as the video output is the same on both computers - e.g. VGA. The keyboard and mouse should be the same too, but as most have been USB for years, that shouldn't be an issue.
Each PC will need its own speakers though.

km1500

what is the game and what make and  model is the new PC?

Baby_Mechanic_1

Thanking you all for your comments.
To clarify - The game runs on both PC's - Microsoft Combat Simulator - it's the Microsoft Sidewinder that's recognised by the newer PC, but doesn't function with the game. Tried loading the Sidewinder from its CD, but still no joy.
Both work fine on the older PC, hence my question.

debitcardmayhem

victor2 said:

A KVM switch should do the job, so long as the video output is the same on both computers - e.g. VGA. The keyboard and mouse should be the same too, but as most have been USB for years, that shouldn't be an issue.
Each PC will need its own speakers though.

I had a kvm with a 3.5 mm jack plug which allowed the sound from either, and a kvm by definition is one mouse one keyboard and one video. I am not at home at the mo so I can’t check which I used.

alan_d

Many monitors have built-in KVM, so you can hook up 2 or 3 computers to it and switch over using a button on the monitor.

grumbler

Baby_Mechanic_1 said:

I'd like to be able to use the same monitor, keyboard,mouse and speakers etc for two PC's, as the older PC runs a game I enjoy playing that I can't run on the newer PC.

I'd like to avoid disconnecting and reconnecting cables each time I swap between the two,

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/products/keyboards/mx-keys-wireless-keyboard.html

Pair your keyboard with up to three devices and switch between them with the press of an Easy-Switch™ button.

Their Mx Master and Mx Anywhere mice have a button at the bottom for switching between computers.

Both the keyboard and the mice are pricey. And do your own research.

getmore4less

grumbler said:

Baby_Mechanic_1 said:

I'd like to be able to use the same monitor, keyboard,mouse and speakers etc for two PC's, as the older PC runs a game I enjoy playing that I can't run on the newer PC.

I'd like to avoid disconnecting and reconnecting cables each time I swap between the two,

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/products/keyboards/mx-keys-wireless-keyboard.html

Pair your keyboard with up to three devices and switch between them with the press of an Easy-Switch™ button.

Their Mx Master and Mx Anywhere mice have a button at the bottom for switching between computers.

Both the keyboard and the mice are pricey. And do your own research.

I got a cheaper version and happy.
Rapoo have a good range of options

Like new from stockmustgo.

https://www.stockmustgo.co.uk/products/rapoo-8100m-multi-mode-wireless-mouse-and-keyboard-black


Ended up just using 2 mice as it's a pain to use those with button on the bottom.

IvanOpinion

Like any good company our laptops are totally locked down for security purposes.
When COVID lockdown came and I started to work from home I didn't have space for both my laptop and its monitors, and my home computer and monitors.  So I got one of these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/DEPZOL-Keyboard-Peripherals-Computers-922HUA-3/dp/B07T3R92F3?th=1
It supports 2 computers sharing 2 monitors, keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphone and camera.

The box is quite small. took 5 minutes to wire up, and has worked flawlessly for me. To switch between computers you either press the button on the front or double click the mouse wheel (no messing about). The switch takes a couple of seconds unless the laptop has decided to go to sleep in which case it is the same amount of time as you expect for it to wake up.

Due to lack of sound jacks on my laptop I also use a USB to sound adaptor, again with no problems
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8?th=1

I notice you mention gaming, so not sure if the video outputs on this one would meet your needs but hopefully it gives you somewhere to start.

frostysaver

By "Microsoft sidewinder" I'm guessing you've got one of these basic flight joysticks https://dosdays.co.uk/topics/Manufacturers/microsoft.php ?

If so, it's probably easier and cheaper to either:

1. Get it to work on the new computer (what operating system and specific sidewinder model do you have?)

2. Or just replace the joystick, and sell the old PC