Question about using same keyboard/mouse with two computers

Duvan · 12 Dec 2022 at 14:53

If you insert a wireless mouse/keyboard USB-dongle in your monitor, and you use it with two different computers (monitor inputs) - can you just by changing the input signal on the monitor, decide which computer currently uses the keyboard/mouse? I.e. you can leave the USB dongle in the monitor. Never owned a monitor with USB ports, that's why I don't know

I don't mean KVM by the way.

And do all computers support using mouse/keyboard through a monitor? I have a HP Elitebook Folio 1040 G3 laptop that is several years old, so a bit concerned about that one.

Captain_Bosh · 12 Dec 2022 at 14:57

If you are talking about plugging the mouse/keyboard into a built in USB hub on the monitor it will have its own USB connection to one of the computers, switching the monitor video inputs won't switch the USB hub to the other computer, you would need to use a USB switch to do that or switch it manually.

Duvan · 12 Dec 2022 at 15:28

Yes, exactly.
Ah, I see now that monitors that have USB A:s also have a USB-B port, so that is for connecting to the computer then? Wasn't aware of that detail

So if I want to do what I wrote, I need a USB-switch, and that would not be connected to the monitor at all then but to the two computers and to the USB keyboard/mouse dongle...?

Captain_Bosh · 12 Dec 2022 at 15:46

The USB switch would be from the USB hub and to both of the computers so 3 cables total.

Duvan · 12 Dec 2022 at 15:55

Which USB hub do you mean? The built in one on the monitor?
Why would the USB switch need to be connected to that one?

Captain_Bosh · 12 Dec 2022 at 16:20

Because you are plugging your mouse/keyboard into the monitor, so you need to use the switch to get the signal to both computers. They are pretty straight forward to work out.

Duvan · 12 Dec 2022 at 16:28

Hmm, maybe I'm missing something, but if my purpose is to be able to use the same mouse/keyboard USB-dongle on two computers sharing the same monitor, wouldn't it make more sense to connect the two computers to a USB switch that hosts the mouse/keyboard dongle, and leave the monitor out of the equation?

Captain_Bosh · 12 Dec 2022 at 16:45

However you want to do it.

mrk · 13 Dec 2022 at 02:42

KVM switch?

Alternatively Mouse Without Borders: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=35460

No need for extra connections and all that faff.

In your case you'd just switch input signal on the monitor and move the mouse cursor off screen to the other PC which will then use the mouse and KB still connected to the first PC.

Demon · 13 Dec 2022 at 16:21

I'm using mouse without borders in work, it's great, but needs both PCs on of course!

If you want to share a mouse/keyboard with 2 PCs and the master (one with the mouse/keyboard attached) may be switched off, then you'll probably want a basic USB Switch (I use a UGreen one for this purpose)..