Can you have two computers run off the same monitor?

Question

My boyfriend and I would like to use both of our computers at our new house. We were wondering if it is possible to hook up his computer tower and my computer tower to the same monitor? If this is possible please explain how? Thank you!

Answer 1

If you are trying to hook up two computers to one monitor, keyboard, mouse set up, then you need a KVM switch. You can buy them at your local computer store, from about $50-$100.

Click the link below for more info.

Answer 2

2 Computers 1 Monitor

Answer 3

Not sure what kind of monitor you have...my Dell flatscreen has a DVI and VGA inputs...if that is the case you could just get a DVI-VGA adapter and plug both VGA connections to a different tower, and press the monitor button to toggle displays.

If you don't have dual inputs on the monitor, then you need a KVM switch (Keyboard / Video / Monitor). You can use only the video portion of this switch if you like, but if you also used the keyboard / mouse then you would be able to get by with just one set of those (if you are trying to save space).

Also, lots of the newer KVM switches come with USB inputs, which are handy if you wanted to share a USB keyboard or mouse... or heck, anything USB for that matter.

Answer 4

You can have multiple computer connected to 1 monitor, 1 keyboard and 1 mouse. You can purchase what is commonly known as KVM switch that enables you to do that type of connectivities. Look for an IOGEAR 2 Port USB KVM switch. You will then connect both of your computer to the KVM switch and be able to switch the Monitor & input device using the KVM switch.

Answer 5

You could go to a computer supply store and get a KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) switch and hook up the monitor. You could also get a device called "flip" by belkin that does the same thing.

Here is a url so you could see a variaty of swithes and the flip sold by belkin:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWPS_JumpToSection.process?RestartFlow=t&IWAction=Load&Catalog_Id=1&Section_Id=201725;203437;

Answer 6

Yes, Belkin makes many products that can do this. I don't have the exact model numbers handy, but you can plug two computers in to work off of 1 mouse, 1 keybaord, and 1 monitor.

Answer 7

I know its possible because the Info. syst. guy at work did it. He has some sort of manual switching device or key stroke to do the switching. This was a new type monitor also with split screen viewing. Not much info for you, but it can be done.

Answer 8

Yes, that is possible. You would have to hook them up at different times though. You couldn't have them both plugged in, and just switch over the monitor. What you would have to do, is just switch the plug that hooks up the monitor and computer. (It's usually a big blue cable.) It's pretty easy. Everytime that you would want to switch the monitor over, just unplug the cable from one computer, and then plug it into the other one. Hope this helps you! :)

Additional Details:
Actually, I went and looked up having 2 computers and 1 monitor on Google, and I did get some search returns. There are switches out there that you can buy, to switch the monitor to a different computer. They're kind of expensive though, or at least I think so, but you may want to try it. Here's a website that has some links to some other stores that sell them. http://shopper.cnet.com/VIDEO_VGA_SWITCH_FOR_2_COMPUTERS_TO_1_MONITOR/4014-8308_9-5610639.html http://www.nextag.com/2-computers-1-monitor-switch/search-html http://sewelldirect.com/vga-switch-2-port.asp

Answer 9

Yes, there is a device called a "syslink." All you have to do is tap insert twice, and it will switch towers. Call you local best buy, or if you are lucky enough to live in So. Cal, Fry's.

Answer 10

yes, you will need either an A/B switchbox (combination monitor, keyboard, mouse) available at any computer store, or you can use a product called VSP, ( www.realvsp.com ) to switch to the other system if you network them together