Is it possible...

Stuff · 17 Jul 2011 at 23:51

... to have 2 computers access one 2.4Ghz receiver (and the wireless keyboard and mouse it picks up) at the same time?

Basically, 2 towers next to each other, each with a USB cable plugged in to a USB socket on each. Then the USB coming off and connecting to 1 female USB, which is then accessible from both systems... ? If that makes sense

paradisiac · 17 Jul 2011 at 23:52

so 1 keyboard and mouse running on 2 pcs at the same time via a usb splitter?
cant see why it wouldnt.

panyan · 17 Jul 2011 at 23:53

trying to control two computers with one set of wireless kb & m?

i imagine it is possible, but i think that method would pass voltage between the motherboards or even fry the reciever with double voltage

paradisiac · 17 Jul 2011 at 23:54

panyan said:
trying to control two computers with one set of wireless kb & m?

i imagine it is possible, but i think that method would pass voltage between the motherboards or even fry the reciever with double voltage

didnt think of that

Stuff · 17 Jul 2011 at 23:54

I ideally wanna do it without using a KVM switch... Anyone know for sure, or got a link please?

lord filbuster · 18 Jul 2011 at 00:00

Pretty certain it wouldn't work without a switch, the computers couldn't both communicate with the same device unless it was made to be able to do so.

Stuff · 18 Jul 2011 at 00:04

Ok ok, but I could get a KVM switch, plug in my receiver, and pick it up on both PC's that way?

ScratchFive · 18 Jul 2011 at 00:05

since the power to the mouse only has to come from one computer, you could only connect the +5v and ground (no sense in making a gnd loop) pins to one computer and the two data wires to both.

cant say this will or wont work but its worth having a go if you've got some old usb cables lying around and a soldering iron.

sorry, due to the master slave nature of usb this is unlikely to work very well, if at all

ScratchFive · 18 Jul 2011 at 00:07

sorry, posted in error

Stuff · 18 Jul 2011 at 00:07

ScratchFive said:
since the power to the mouse only has to come from one computer, you could only connect the +5v and ground (no sense in making a gnd loop) pins to one computer and the two data wires to both.

cant say this will or wont work but its worth having a go if you've got some old usb cables lying around and a soldering iron.

I'm afraid I'm not that handy

Kotu · 18 Jul 2011 at 00:19

would you be only using one system at a time? or is the intention to have the mouse/keyboard work on both while both are on?

It's probably not what you are after, but I use synergy to allow my mouse and keyboard to operate 3 pcs, the only downside is the pc which the mouse/kb are connected to has to be on for them to work on the other pcs.

Philtor · 18 Jul 2011 at 01:25

Computer says no.