What is the best way to connect one monitor for use with 2 computers. One running XP and the other 98SE?

Answer 1

if you want to use one monitor to be use on two computer a different times you will need a swtich box but if you want to use the same time you need a graphic card that has 2 split screens

Answer 2

It would be dangerous to toggle a monitor between two computers whilst not simultaneously toggling the keyboard.
A two port KVM switch will do the trick.
If you wish to use a DVI monitor connection you're going to have to spend above £150.
For the standard VGA monitor connection, the price is more reasonable.
The keyboard and mouse can connect via either PS/2 (DIN) connectors or via USB.
I have just replaced my all PS/2 KVM with a USB version (see link). All necessary cables come in the box - to connect the VGA and a USB port from each PC to the box. You supply the PS/2 keyboard and mouse - I have USB > PS/2 converters for mine.
Not all USB keyboards will work through a USB > PS/2 converter.
This box also works as a switchable USB hub - you can connect an external USB CD/DVD drive (for instance) and hot key which PC could see it.
£28.80 for the Edimax EK-2USK - it doesn't support audio switching (the title is wrong on the link).

Answer 3

2-port KVM would do the job... plus allow you to use only one keyboard and mouse. Cheap ones (about $15 on ebay) have cables built into them. If you don't need to switch keyboard and mouse, just ignore those cables *UNLESS* your KVM uses hot key to switch.

The OS doesn't matter... if it uses a monitor and keyboard you can mix any DOS/Windows/Linux versions running on PC hardware. Just make sure the video bandwidth of the switch is up to what you want the diskpay to show... most of them will go to resolutions good enough for most 19" LCD or 19" CRT displays.

Alternatively, some video monitors come with 2 input ports that you can swap between using a button on the monitor. If you've got one of these... you'll need an extra video cable. I've seem monitors with 2 analogue or 1 analogue and one digital input... so you may need to get a matching video card.

Answer 4

Maplins have a good selection of KVM switches. Monitor connections are VGA or DVI, with keyboard/mouse as PS/2 or USB. Some include cables.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=kvm&source=15&menu=-3&WorldSearch=Y&SD=Y

Using the two KVM switches I have, the shared mouse did not work and the cheaper mechanical switch produced spotty images with the monitor at 1280 x 1024 pixels.

The 4 way KVM switch here connects to PCs with Win 98, Win 2000 and Win XP.

Answer 5

hi am john.
i will answer your question as follows.
in order to connect two computers with one monitor you will need to have these items.
1) four port KVM switch DKVM-4K
2) one mouse,one keyboard and your VGA cable from your monitor
3) 3 powercables(one for your monitor and the other wo for your copmuters.)

This switch must have two video graphics adapter(VGA) cableswhen you buy it.these cables have mouse and keyboard cable included to this cables.
connection of this switch.
1)you plug one cable in to one of your computer and the next cable to the other computer.
2)plug those cables in to Port 1 and Port 2 of your KVM switch.
3)then connect the power to your computers.
NT:copy this link to your browser and open it.
http://www.hardwareversand.de/ai/pimg/450/209D4P.jpg

Answer 6

After the cable is in place you could configure a clean community connection to discover and create a community connection between the two computers. you're able to provide each and each pc an ip handle as an occasion 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 and a subnet mask 255.255.255.0 Then enable print and document sharing on each and each pc.

Answer 7

your best bet is using KVM hardware. KVM stands for Keyboard, Video (monitor), and Mouse.

you connect your keyboard, mouse, monitor to this device, and connect your 2 computer to this device too, then you're set. One KVM for 2 diff computers.

You can buy KVM at any computer stores (BestBuy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Fry's, etc...)

Answer 8

Use a KVM VGA and keyboard + mouse converter.............
KVM VGA Connverter is best option

Answer 9

KVM convertor, as said above.