Linking a second computer as a separate dual screen?

Bry · 18 Oct 2008 at 19:50

Hi, I have my main pc setup and a laptop which i use a lot. the laptop is right next to my main pc.

What I have been thinking about lately is a feature that I do not know exists and was wondering if anyone knows about something like this.

Basically what i want is, both my laptop and pc to be on and running their own separate instance of windows (as they are atm) but I want to be able to share files/programs/mouse/keyboard as if the laptop was merely a second monitor for the main pc.

So for example I have firefox running on my main pc, I could then open up notepad on my main pc and drag it fof screena nd have it appear on the laptop and continue typing in the noteoad document from the keyboard attached to my pc.
(obviously the keyboard/mouse inputs would have to be sent via the network)

Has anyone even heard of some software like this before?

Nick644622 · 18 Oct 2008 at 20:04

You seem to want different things, "as if the laptop was merely a second monitor for the main pc" then "both my laptop and pc to be on and running their own separate instance of windows" contradict one another. Maybe VNC would do some of what you want, controlling the Laptop with your Desktop PC keyboard/mouse & minimise the window to revert to controlling the Desktop PC with them. (It is free)

MikeHiow · 18 Oct 2008 at 20:25

http://www.maxivista.com/

dave-lew99 · 18 Oct 2008 at 20:29

Alternatively you could use Synergy - no moving of apps between displays but it's free and does support keyboard/mouse sharing as if it was an extended display.

Bry · 18 Oct 2008 at 20:32

Nick644622 said:
You seem to want different things, "as if the laptop was merely a second monitor for the main pc" then "both my laptop and pc to be on and running their own separate instance of windows" contradict one another. Maybe VNC would do some of what you want, controlling the Laptop with your Desktop PC keyboard/mouse & minimise the window to revert to controlling the Desktop PC with them. (It is free)

yes and No, basically im not confused I want to be able to mix these features

MikeHiow said:
http://www.maxivista.com/

The third function, multiple computers, one mouse,keyboard looks pretty close to what i am after. At least I think as far as will be possible. Thanks

Bry · 18 Oct 2008 at 20:34

dave-lew99 said:
Alternatively you could use Synergy - no moving of apps between displays but it's free and does support keyboard/mouse sharing as if it was an extended display.

thanks for that will check that one out as well

Mercutio · 19 Oct 2008 at 14:06

Synergy is good enough to use as such. It's clever enough to work with overlays etc too (so if you want to game on one and work on the other it will move the mouse flawlessly into the directx overlay).

Tiny amount of setup required but i'd really doubt it will take much to do.

Dracata · 21 Oct 2008 at 09:40

Maxivista is too slow I found, it's based on the VNC concept but doesn't neccesarily provide quick updates.

Synergy is awesome