1 monitor - 2 computers? Possible?

[amheck]

Looking for a way to use 2 computers (1 laptop, 1 desktop) on 1 monitor. Is there a switch that would let me do this? If so, where's the best place/price to get this?

Thanks, Aaron

 

[nicowju]

Does your monitor have 2 inputs? Look on the back... if there are 2 DB-15 connectors, then you can use two inputs and just switch between the 2 using your monitor controls

 

[Rsoft]

KVM switch. You can find em at any of the big computer stores or online.

CC

 

[FireStarOmega]

Belkin is another name to look for, the omniview. They have many models, one that allows up to 4 computers to be on one set of monitor and keyboard mouse combination,
by the way they do have a model with only two inputs.
I use those all the time and highly recommend

 

[Gosharkss]

Many monitors have dual inputs, some have a toggle switch on the front, others you need to navigate the on screen menu.

Jim Witkowski
Chief Hardware Engineer
Cornerstone / Monitorsdirect.com

 

[amheck]

Thanks for the input all. I have a very nice 21" IBM monitor (borrowing it from work). I think its a very nice model so I'm hoping for the dual inputs. If not, I'll check out some of the models mentioned.

Aaron

 

[Boogak]

Is it a 21" IBM P260? If so, you've got dual inputs.

 

[amheck]

It's black, and pretty much got a flat, square tube. You know, I am a little embarrassed that I don't know the exact model number, cause I usually am really up on that. Well, we'll hope for the best....

Aaron

Edit: I just did a search on "BELKIN ONMIVIEW" and didn't come up with very many hits, but I did find the cheapest smallest one was around $90. Ouch. Didn't know they were that expensive. Maybe I'll have some luck on ebay.

 

[Garet Jax]

Amheck,

I have the Belkin OmniCube 4-port KVM switch at home. It allows me to share the Keyboard, Monitor and the mouse between up to four computers.

The thing I like about the Belkin is that you can switch between controlling various computers using only the keyboard.

I bought mine from Buy.com.

 

[nam ng]

If you don't need simultaneous display, I suggest a remote control program the like of "PC Anywhere" and such using network connections.

 

[amheck]

Ah...another good suggestion. I don't think I'll need simultaneous display. I really just want to be able to work off my laptop, but one the 21" monitor. The switches would be nice, but for $100, I have a lot of other upgrades I wanna do.

Aaron

 

[amheck]

Ok, good news and bad news, I think. Got home and checked and the model number is an IBM P202, which is a 21" Trinitron monitor with dual inputs. There is 1 "regular" monitor connection, and another different type of connection. The other connection looks like this:

_______________
| O O ...... O |
|______________|

Sorry, that's the best I can do. 3 bigger holes, along with a lot of smaller holes like the regular monitor connection. But, the monitor is listed as dual-input, so I just need to find a cable to go from m y laptop out to the monitor with that type of connection. Any ideas?

Thanks, Aaron

EDIT: Sorry, the connection is not coming out formatted correctly. Hopefully you guys can understand.

 

[duragezic]

The other connector is probably a BNC connector. They are used for a clearer picture but when a monitor has the regular dsub and a bnc port(s) then you can use the regular connector for one computer and buy a BNC cable to use it for the other computer. You can select what port you want to use on the OSD.

 

[nam ng]

<<
_______________
| O O ...... O |
|______________|

Sorry, that's the best I can do. 3 bigger holes, along with a lot of smaller holes like the regular monitor connection. But, the monitor is listed as dual-input, so I just need to find a cable to go from m y laptop out to the monitor with that type of connection. Any ideas? >>



That's a Sun Micro Systems compatible connector, any Sun's dealers will have a D-sub to sun adapter cable, It is superior to standard D-sub cable.