Controlling two computers with one keyboard/mouse

Wahzy · 8 Feb 2016 at 20:18

Hey guys,

I have two computers on my desk. With two monitors. I use my main rig for flightsim only. My other rig does everything else; email, apps, web browsing, YouTube etc.

I read somewhere it's possible to ditch my second keyboard and just have one set of peripherals controlling my actions on the monitors.

What do I need and is it something you guys recommend doing?

Cheers,

Alex.

OracIe · 8 Feb 2016 at 20:19

You need a KVM.

dalepearson · 8 Feb 2016 at 20:19

Check out http://synergy-project.org/

Wahzy · 8 Feb 2016 at 20:35

I'll check out the Synergy software.

If I had a more powerful rig I would sell my second PC. It's just convenient bring able to multitask on two systems.

Calculus · 9 Feb 2016 at 10:22

I've used Multiplicity software for many years. It costs but I don't think much, in the £20 region.

Glanza · 9 Feb 2016 at 10:28

KVM switch.

Confused Stu · 9 Feb 2016 at 10:47

Input Director works brilliantly in my experience:
http://www.inputdirector.com/

Works similarly to Synergy from what I can see on Syngergy's website, but is free.

Install on both PCs, configure one as the slave and one as the master, set them both to run at startup, then ditch the slave machine's keyboard & mouse and you're done.

TWiNKLeT0Es · 9 Feb 2016 at 12:06

Micosofts offering https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=35460

Rroff · 9 Feb 2016 at 12:09

Assuming you don't need video switching if you want cheap and cheerful that actually works with a wide range of peripherals without any fuss give the Aten US224 a whirl.

TWiNKLeT0Es said:
Micosofts offering https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=35460

That looks pretty useful if the file dragging, etc. really works properly - I've tried a few of the software based solutions in the past and while quite good I've never found one that for serious work doesn't have any potential downsides with latency and/or if the master system crashes or you just want one system booted up, etc.

Rilot · 9 Feb 2016 at 12:18

TWiNKLeT0Es said:
Micosofts offering https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=35460

Brilliant piece of software. I use it all the time.

Wahzy · 10 Feb 2016 at 17:20

Thanks guys.

I am using the Microsoft one, easy to setup and works great!

Wahzy · 10 Feb 2016 at 17:21

Now I've got this app installed, can I hear music/sound from the other computer, on my main one. Is that even possible?

Akagi · 10 Feb 2016 at 17:24

My solution for this problem is to run secondary PC's headless, and RDP to them.