Do I need a KVM? Or something else?

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vox87

Weaksauce
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Aug 10, 2004
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Basically, what I want to do is to run 2 computers with two monitors and, use one keyboard and one mouse. The main goal is to have the ability to switch a display from one monitor to the other. So, if I'm viewing something on the main monitor and, would like to have the display of the 2nd monitor in front of me, I can just swap displays with a press of a button.

Most of the KVMs, I've come across, are for PCs running dual video cards for extended displays. Or the typical single monitor.

Any suggestions? :)
 
I'm kinda confused at what you mean by "swap displays with a press of a button". Do you want to have two monitors, and be able to push a button to swap the picture from one monitor to the other and vice versa? Or do you just want to be able to use one keyboard/mouse set for both computers, and have the same display on each monitor all the time? You can indeed get a KVM switch and just not hook up the monitors to the switch. It will still work, but you won't be able to take advantage of an on-screen-display that the switch might have(not really a big deal; it'll still work just fine). Or if you want to go the software route, take a look at a software package called synergy.
 
I've been looking at Synergy but, wanted to see if there was a hardware solution.

Yeah, basically, I want to be able to have the ability to swap the screens. Say, I'm running Linux and XP. I have a monitor in front of me and a monitor off to my left. Let's say the Linux screen is in front of me but, I want to do some work on the XP box. Like to be able to press a button (like on a KVM) and have the screens swap. So, now I have XP in front of me and the Linux on the monitor to the left. This way I can work on both computers, off the monitor directly in front of me, but, still view the other system with the 2nd monitor .

Like mention above, I can just keep the monitors unplugged from the KVM but, I just wanted to see if there was a solution out there, before deciding on Synergy or a KVM.
 
belkin, linksys as well as other manufacturers offer hardware solutions for this (KVMs)

i know belkin and linksys do because we use them here @ my job:)

the belkin ones we use have the ability to support 2 PCs and the linksys have the ability to support up to 4


i know there are larger KVM switches for server type enivironments but those are basic ones that support your needs
 
ity sounds like you want to be able to see either machine on either monitor and have a single kb and mouse...

well you can get 2x KVMs and 2x video Y splitters.
hook up the Y splitters to each vidcard... and each KVM has one side going to the Y splitter. im too burnt out to figure out how youd do the mouse and kb unless you run a usb KB/mouse setup, but if you do then its no big whoop to do it this way.
 
Something like this might work for ya. but i do not have the hardware to try it.

Acquire 2 vga splitters so you can duplicate the Video outputs from both of your computers. Something like these. vga splitters

then get a Dual-Head KVM. Something like this Dual-Head KVM

Set them up so one video from each PC are the inputs on the KMV for Hookup#1 and the oposites are for Hookup2. This should swap the 1st and 2nd monitor like you want to do.

I know its kinda getto, but i think it might work.
 
I think, with the dual head KVMs they're meant for dual screens via dual head video cards. I'm not sure if it could really separate the two sets of signals for each of the 4 inputs to the 2 outputs.

However, I think the Y splitters, like you guys suggested above, would be the way to go with (2) video switches. Take (2) 2x1 video switches and (2) Y splitters. Hook up a KVM minus the monitors. Take the Y splitters and connect each output to one of the inputs on the (2) 2x1 switches.

Did find something, yesterday, that appears to be anideal solution. Again, using in conjuction with a KVM. KVM providing the mouse and keyboard connection only.
 
vox87 said:
I think, with the dual head KVMs they're meant for dual screens via dual head video cards. I'm not sure if it could really separate the two sets of signals for each of the 4 inputs to the 2 outputs.
Click to expand...
That is what they are meant for, but the KVM switch really doesn't care which signals are feeding which ports. It isn't going to detect that the signals are coming from two different computers and shutdown. There really isn't any separating; the signals are already separate. I think his method would work, and I believe it's the simplest I've seen so far. Using the splitters and a dualhead KVM switch is essentially making your own matrix vga switcher, but it'll have the K and the M so you only have to do one switch.
 
If you don't already have the monitors, or are considering an upgrade, get the Dell LCDs with the VGA and DVI connectors. The minus button on the front panel will switch the monitor between inputs. Thus, if you run the VGA from monitor 1 and the DVI from monitor 2 to PC1, and the DVI from monitor 1 and the VGA from monitor 2 to PC2, you can achieve your desired effect. You can also just do total VGA to one system and total DVI to another, it's just that many video card have both VGA and DVI. You'll still need a KVM for your keyboard and mouse, but these monitors would let you do the independent switching that you need. It's what I used to do.
 
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