How to connect 2 monitors , 2 keyboards , 2 mice on single CPU with a switch to make one operate at a time?

Question

I want to utilize my PC(Desktop) from different rooms of my house. So instead of buying a new laptop , I felt it would be better if I can connect my Desktop through multiple keyboard mouse monitor shared on single CPU ; with a switch that can make a particular set of monitor keyboard mouse working . Can anyone suggest a cheaper alternative to make this work .

Answer 1

Acutally a KVM switch is NOT what is needed. A kvm switch is used for hooking up 2 (or more) computers (cpu) to one set of monitor, mouse and keyboard.

How far away is this second room? if its over 20 ft video cables are going to be expensive. Also you may need to have your video signal boosted (depending on how far).

The setup you are looking for is going to be difficult without a second computer.

What are you going to be using it for mainly?
1. If its just for internet, then you can get a cheap used laptop ($300-400) or the Nintendo Wii ($249 + $5 dl) new upgraded browser allows for use of a USB keyboard and wii remote as a mouse (and comes with wii sports).

2. If you need to access the files on your desktop then a wireless network and a laptop(with a wireless card) is going to be the best setup. you will have to setup the network, and make sure you change the default password for the wireless network. (cost $50 fore wireless router/access point, + a laptop/desktop)

3. If you just want to use your desktop from another room and want to use its horsepower. there are not a lot of options. a wireless keyboard and mouse might work but usually dont work more than 20 feet, or outside the room the reciever is in.

4. HP offers a micro-tower desktop pc that would be easy to hide and is cheap (would be faster than a cheap laptop) and just network the 2 pcs together to share files. Network file sharing is another topic. (cost $300-400) comes with a mouse and keyboard (usually wired).

Answer 2

I'm not sure exactly how you want to set this up but try taking a look at this website:
http://ncomputing.com/ncomputing/index.php

Some other reads that might be interesting.
http://tech.yahoo.com/blog/null/24753

There are different ways to setup multiple output/input from one computers. For example. If you want to have 2 mice and 2 keyboard connected to the computer and function all at once on the same screen, you can buy a usb hub and buy usb mice and keyboards. Also usb extensions if you are going to be using it from a different room. Also you can buy another video card to have multiple video outputs. This is when you want to just duplicate the same output into two different monitors.

The links I have mentioned above are more from separate clients on one machine. So two people can be doing two whole separate commands on the computer without interfering with each other. You will just be sharing resources.

Answer 3

What you're looking for is a KVM switch.
KVM = Keyboard, Video, Mouse.

Generally, a KVM is to control multiple pc's from one keyboard, mouse and monitor. These are fairly inexpensive and readily available.

Some KVM's, though, allow multiple keyboards, mice and monitors to one pc. Make sure before you buy one that the KVM works in this way. These device's aren't as inexpensive or readily available...

You could jerry rig (sp) a setup. Typically, the ports aren't easily accessible for the keyboard, mouse and monitor. Get an extension cord for each to bring the ports to your desk top (the physical one, not windows...).

Then get your cables to go from the remote keyboards, mice and monitors and bring them to the extensions. Swap as necessary.

Note that every cable has their distance limits so there's going to be a max distance you can go for the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

If you're handy, you could buy the connectors from radio shack or similar store, and cables separately and make them yourself. Sometimes, with longer cables, it's cheaper to make than to buy.

Answer 4

You want a KVM switch. They can connect several (depending on how many ports they support) sets of video monitors, mice, and keyboards. There are also extension cables made for use with them.

Answer 5

No it is not a KVM, they share one monitor, KB, and mouse with 2 computers. He wants to use one computer in any room. You'd still need a dumb terminal and run terminal services or citrix on another desktop.
The easiest way would be buy a cheap laptop that has wireless and use VNC. maybe.

Answer 6

It is called a KVM switch. Pretty sure you can get one at wal-mart. Although if you are trying to cross such distances you might need to find some special cables to extend your keyboard and mouse cables.