Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: One Monitor, two computers. Possible?

  1. #1
    Your very own Pikachu! Banned Peegee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Posts
    19,488
    Blog Entries
    81

    Grin One Monitor, two computers. Possible?

    Well not simultaneously of course, but you know how there's the ability to have multiple input peripherals through the same...serial port? Is it possible to have multiple output (monitor specifically) into one output? I'm imagining a device where I just turn the knob and it flips between two computers' visual outputs. If such a thing existed it would make my life 0.00000002% (approx) more easier. As for my computer time, it would improve my productivity quite a bit, because every time I remove my monitor plug I risk hanging my machine

  2. #2
    Hypnotising you crono_logical's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Back in Time
    Posts
    9,313
    Contributions
    • Former Administrator
    • Former Cid's Knight

    Default

    I've seen such devices, they had one at a conference I was at once, where you had 2 laptops plugged into a projector via normal monitor ports, and just turned the switch to change which laptop was displaying on the projector. No idea what the thing is called Try looking in computer magazines on the ad pages, they tend to have more exotic equipment there.

    Or get a 22" monitor from Mitsubishi that has two inputs, and use the OSD on the monitor itself to switch between inputs


    Also, I don't see why a machine should hang if you unplug the monitor cable, the video card must be pretty ancient or something if it does that
    Problems playing downloaded videos? Try CCCP


  3. #3
    Your very own Pikachu! Banned Peegee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Posts
    19,488
    Blog Entries
    81

    Grin

    I also unplug the mouse and keyboard, but I don't think that does anything. I'm also at a loss as to why this happens, because my older computer doesn't hang. I have a Radeon 7500, which while older, is not ancient.

    So long as the device in theory exists, I will find it. Now to find the approx price

    thanks

  4. #4
    ORANGE Dr Unne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 1999
    Posts
    7,394
    Articles
    1
    Contributions
    • Former Administrator
    • Former Developer
    • Former Tech Admin

    Default

    I think unplugging a PS/2 mouse and/or plugging it back in will freeze a computer, yeah. Or at least the mouse won't be recognized. I think a PS/2 mouse has to be present at boot time in order for it to work. But don't quote me on that.

  5. #5
    Your very own Pikachu! Banned Peegee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Posts
    19,488
    Blog Entries
    81

    Grin

    I think that's all true (keyboard definitely needs to be present at bootup), except that I have this computer right here *pats* that can run days on end without anything plugged in except a CAT-5 and power.

    So I r confused

  6. #6

    Default

    It's called a KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) Switch. <a href = "http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=56&pcount=&Product_Id=134809#">Belkin</a> has one for $59.99. That's jus tthe first one I found, I don't know if that's the typical price.

  7. #7
    Hypnotising you crono_logical's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Back in Time
    Posts
    9,313
    Contributions
    • Former Administrator
    • Former Cid's Knight

    Default

    Unplugging the PS/2 mouse then plugging it back in used to freeze my PC when I had Win98 installed, but not after upgrading to WinXP - in WinXP, it seems to randomly allow the mouse to work again, or not recognise it until the next reboot, but never freeze. I've not tried booting WinXP without a mouse then plugging it in afterwards though.
    Problems playing downloaded videos? Try CCCP


  8. #8
    Jump In The Fi-yaaaaah! metCloud's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Monkey Cage
    Posts
    336

    Default

    Here is one for $49.99
    But I would go with the Belkin....Looks more solid.
    I'm Metcloud and I approved this message

  9. #9
    Got obliterated Recognized Member Shoeberto's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    THE OC BABY
    Posts
    12,018
    Blog Entries
    1
    Contributions
    • Former Cid's Knight

    Default

    <font color="#009999">
    I remember seeing them in a Tiger Direct magazine a long time ago.

    I wasn't able to find any on the website, but I'm sure if you ordered a magazine (which is free) you'd be able to find one.


  10. #10
    ZeZipster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    act or process of locating (lo-kashon)
    Posts
    2,303

    Default

    My step-dad uses a device to switch between a Win 2/k server and a Win 95 machine, it has a little knob that point towards A or B. It's a lot cheaper than an extra monitor.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •