1 Monitor, 2 PC's?

benjo · 30 Mar 2006 at 22:55

Hey all

I'll soon have an extra PC, but i dont wanna buy a new monitor for it as its only a test bed for new stuff etc.

I was just wondering if there is a type of switch box? The monitor plugs into this box, then two vga cables go into the PC's. And then i could alternate between them.

Do such things excist? If so what are they called? I cant find them anywhere...

Thanks

Rednut05 · 30 Mar 2006 at 22:59

You can switch pcs between one monitor. And using the current mouse and keyboard you can control it and then switch back to your main one.

Called a switch.

benjo · 30 Mar 2006 at 23:31

Rednut05 said:
You can switch pcs between one monitor. And using the current mouse and keyboard you can control it and then switch back to your main one.

Called a switch.

Well atleast i know they excist now...

But the word "switch" is a bit vague on google

Rojin · 30 Mar 2006 at 23:31

You could get a KVM switch, or maybe even look into remote control software such as VNC, or remote desktop if you are using XP.

Naffa · 30 Mar 2006 at 23:32

benjo said:
Well atleast i know they excist now...

But the word "switch" is a bit vague on google

maybe he thought youd look on a pc parts website

edit

L_D · 31 Mar 2006 at 00:40

naffa said:
maybe he thought youd look on a pc parts website

edit

using switch as a search term wouldn't get much further on a pc parts site either...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/cgi-b...:RANDOM&PAGE=SEARCH&SS=switch&TB=A&PR=-1&GB=A

KVM switch is what was being referred to as said. If it's just for testing then remote desktop/vnc or the like should suit well.

LoopyLee · 31 Mar 2006 at 19:15

Why note try a remote program like below

http://www.realvnc.com/

Very good and only need 1 moniter would save the cost of hardware.
Only let down is that you would need to network the base stations but very good program and easy to use.

Hope this helps

benjo · 31 Mar 2006 at 19:21

LoopyLee said:
Why note try a remote program like below

http://www.realvnc.com/

Very good and only need 1 moniter would save the cost of hardware.
Only let down is that you would need to network the base stations but very good program and easy to use.

Hope this helps

Judging by their diagram, i'll still need a kvm switch?

BigChin1 · 31 Mar 2006 at 19:39

benjo said:
Judging by their diagram, i'll still need a kvm switch?

No you can ignore the KVM-over-IP stuff, that's normally for server management (very useful).

If your PCs are networked then all you need to do is install the VNC server application on the PC you want to control, and the VNC viewer on the PC with the keyboard/mouse/monitor. Open up the viewer, type the IP address of the other machine, and voila you can control it remotely. You can add passwords and encryption if you wish, a good idea if you plan to control it over the Internet from a remote location (also a useful feature).

VNC is cool.

benjo · 31 Mar 2006 at 19:41

BigChin1 said:
No you can ignore the KVM-over-IP stuff, that's normally for server management (very useful).

If your PCs are networked then all you need to do is install the VNC server application on the PC you want to control, and the VNC viewer on the PC with the keyboard/mouse/monitor. Open up the viewer, type the IP address of the other machine, and voila you can control it remotely. You can add passwords and encryption if you wish, a good idea if you plan to control it over the Internet from a remote location (also a useful feature).

VNC is cool.

Ah i get it

Similar to remote assistance?

LoopyLee · 31 Mar 2006 at 19:49

I use it a lot as my mate into networking and its very good program. Also has an option to enable more experianced users repair problems if you let them (security).

This will be a lot cheaper then buying expencive swithcher.
Well im glad I can actualy help after all support OC provided me

benjo · 31 Mar 2006 at 19:51

LoopyLee said:
Well im glad I can actualy help after all support OC provided me

Hehe, thanks man. I'm gonna be trying that program out tomorrow hopefully.

Its gonna be for a download box *fingers crossed*

L_D · 1 Apr 2006 at 00:20

LoopyLee said:
This will be a lot cheaper then buying expencive swithcher.

cheam kvm switch = £10

but aye no need for it really.

8BaLL · 1 Apr 2006 at 02:04

Just use a kvm switch i bought one from overclockers all i do is double press scroll lock and it switches to other machine only need use 1 mouse and 1 keyboard also no easier way tbh

Jotun · 1 Apr 2006 at 09:31

There was a similar thread about this no long ago...

Evil-Penguin said:
What I used at work has the title "data transfer switch" on it, and it's made by Hills Components.

If you google, you can find one for £10, can't link as i think they're classed as a competitor.

Some pictures of what it is I used:

Easier to set up than a network i'd guess...

HangTime · 2 Apr 2006 at 01:04

A KVM switch also means that you don't need to mess about with cables etc when you need to get into the BIOS or commandline etc. VNC is a nice tool to use but it is dependent on being able to boot into your OS.

NickK · 2 Apr 2006 at 09:35

Main thing to check with KVMs is the maximum supported resolution and refresh rate.

Rojin · 2 Apr 2006 at 13:30

Well if it's a download machine then I'm guessing he'll have it networked anyway? I actually use a program called DameWare rather than VNC (and derivatives) as I find it more stable and better performance wise, it's also what I used at work for remote desktop assistance. My server pc is just chucked in the corner of the spare room with a wireless card, job's a good un.

If you are using XP on both machines, I would use remote desktop tbh.