Using Two seperate Boxes with the same Monitor and Keyboard

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ancientwithanattitud

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#272678 9-Jul-2020 08:21

I have exited Lockdown with two perfectly useful boxes. One running Win10 the other most likely Mint 20.0 (Mate). I would like to keep them as two separate systems but to readily access the,m through the same monitor and keyboard. Ideally, I would like to run the graphics cable (HDMI) of each through a switch box and have a single cable from the switch box to my monitor. Likewise, the reverse for the Keyboard and Mice.

I have tried a Google search (actually Duck Go Go) with confusing results, probably because I am not sure what to search for.

Can anyone offer me some clues, guidance, suggestions on possible solutions?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

BlueOwl

85 posts

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#2519768 9-Jul-2020 08:24

What you're looking for is called a KVM Switch - for Keyboard/Video/Mouse. PbTech have multiple available.

trig42

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#2519769 9-Jul-2020 08:24

Search for KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse).

Plenty of options out there.

Like this: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/KVMATN0692/Aten-CS692-2-Port-USB-HDMIAudio-Cable-KVM-Switch

OzoneNZ

102 posts

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#2519771 9-Jul-2020 08:25

Without spending money, there's a few software solutions to this issue

I've tried out Synergy before and had success with sharing a mouse/keyboard between two computers

Can see it in action here, slightly different use case than yours however: https://youtu.be/D9u1vX-pvLs?t=332

trig42

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#2519777 9-Jul-2020 08:37

Synergy really needs two screens though. I used it for a while as I have two PCs on my desk (2 screens on one, and one on the other). Works fine for using a common keyboard and mouse.

I still have that arrangement but use Mouse without borders (a MS garage project I think) as it shares clipboards between the two computers etc as well (but only works in Windows).

ancientwithanattitud

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2521629 13-Jul-2020 07:35

I would like to thank everyone for not only their informative replies but also the promptness of their replies. My head is sore from banging it against the wall in disgust at my porous memory about switch boxes. I think the hardware solution will suit me better. Thanks again, everyone.

Lostja

239 posts

Master Geek

#2521638 13-Jul-2020 08:29

Followed this with interest! This may work for setting up my home office that is share so I can connect 2 laptops/docking stations to the same monitor without having to yank the cable out every time.

Many thanks!

SirHumphreyAppleby

2838 posts

Uber Geek

#2521640 13-Jul-2020 08:40

OzoneNZ:

Without spending money, there's a few software solutions to this issue

I use Barrier, which was forked from Synergy 1.9. Allows me to control my Windows box from the keyboard/mouse attached to my FreeBSD system.

https://github.com/debauchee/barrier

Doesn't help the original poster as it requires a separate monitor for each PC, but may be useful for others looking for free solutions.

Samsung

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Oblivian

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#2521643 13-Jul-2020 08:45

Aside a KVM, Multi input monitors usually allow you to shift input with menu buttons.

If you don't mind some menu flicking (or 2 button quick select depending on model) You can use that to toggle between 2 input devices (say you have a DP cable going from each into a dual DP input monitor, or 1DP 1 HDMI)

And SOME logitech KB/mouse model combos have up to 3 BT pairing at once if you have one under your wing already, with a 1/2/3 toggle switch.
Or Software to allow virtual desktops between devices called 'flow'. But I think that's a windows/MAC only solution.

cyril7

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#2521644 13-Jul-2020 08:47

Another option, and depends on what you are using the machines for, is to just remote into one from the other, ie using VNC or RDP.

Cyril

fe31nz

1210 posts

Uber Geek

#2522521 14-Jul-2020 00:14

There are some monitors that offer a builtin KVM switch for 2 PCs. For some reason they do not seem to feature this very heavily in the advertising and you may have to dig through the specifications to find it, but I think it is a great idea.

https://www.faceofit.com/monitors-with-kvm-switch/

timmmay

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#2522613 14-Jul-2020 10:37

Cheaper USB switch from Amazon.com - UGreen USB3. I plan to get one when I get around to it. The USB2 version is about half the price and is fine for most peripherals, USB2 should get 480Mbps in theory which is useful for USB ethernet but I think USB3 better choice.