Comments

Woodenmike wrote on 2/3/2014, 1:45 PM
I'm currently using an IOGear one touch 2 port USB KVM switch between my new Win8.1 build and my old XP machine, sharing keyboard, mouse, and one of two monitors. I use the XP machine as a production server for a Rimage 2000i DVD duplicator and only need the one monitor. I mounted the switch next to my keyboard tray and click between the machines as needed. the setup was pretty straight forward and other than about a 1-2 second delay, it works well without any issues. they make models for multiple monitor setups, but this one works fine for what i'm using it for.
Grazie wrote on 2/3/2014, 2:06 PM
I've been using this Belkin KVM quite happily.

G

SecondWind-SK wrote on 2/3/2014, 2:40 PM
I am using a Startech KVM switch for a XP/Win7 computer pair using dual monitors and USB keyboard and mouse. Keyboard shortcut ... Scrn-Lock/Scrn-Lock/Enter ... switches CPUs. Great for me because my Tower Cases are isolated from my studio to keep fan and HD noise down so I can record VO. Startech has, I believe, models for the several permutations of DVI/SVGA/USB/PS2 combinations one runs into with dissimilar computers.
www.startech.com

Terje wrote on 2/4/2014, 7:47 AM
I do the same, but rather than a KVM, which I have had many, many issues with, I hook them both to the same router and use Remote Desktop from one to the other. Much fewer problems for me. Also, zero cost if they are already both on the network.
RZ wrote on 2/4/2014, 9:37 AM
Terje:

This concept of connecting to the router is very interesting. But how do I do that? Can you send me a pic or something. Thanks.

RZ
DiDequ wrote on 2/4/2014, 11:23 AM
Router, switch... if both computers can access the internet, then they are probably already using the same network.
Vnc, Ultra Vnc, TightVnc, Teamviewer (free for non profit companies - simple solution to go through firewalls) , or Windows solutions... Choice is big

Using a KVM switch can also offer sound. Vnc connections cannot.

But you can also get sound over ethernet - this is a special Vnc connection that requires devices.

Distance between computers is not a problem below 20 m for all those solutions.

You can also do a "mix" UltraVnc for example with an extra set of loudspeakers if distance is not a problem.

Working with video and a Vnc solution is not a good solution for me : not enough fps !

What do I use ?
Teamviewer -> for my family.
Ultra Vnc -> home network for farm rendering (blender)
Didier.
PeterDuke wrote on 2/4/2014, 7:02 PM
I have an ATEN Cubiq CS1782A. In addition to Keyboard/Video/Mouse it also switches audio and, independently, a USB port. It works well.

Note that there may be some circumstances ,such as selecting to boot up in safe mode, when you may need the keyboard and/or mouse to be on a PS2 port, rather than USB. The CS1782A requires them both to be USB, and the video to be DVI (not analog).

I had trouble with a wireless USB mouse once but forget the circumstances. The wireless mouse I bought (and returned) would not work but the wireless mouse on my wife's computer would. Both my mouse and keyboard are currently wired.
Barry W. Hull wrote on 2/4/2014, 8:10 PM
I've tried both Remote Desktop, and KVM. No question for me, the KVM was much better.

I'm using a switch by Black Box, works well, keyboard, mouse, audio, etc.

http://www.blackbox.com/Store/kvm_selector.aspx
Steve Mann wrote on 2/6/2014, 10:06 AM
Buy another monitor for the second computer then install Synergy (free) on both of them.

http://synergy-foss.org/

Then a single mouse and keyboard can be used on both PC's. Of course they both have to be on the same local network.