2 mice/keyboards on the same computer?

[chalmers]

I play WoW on my 46" LCD. I like to play in Windowed mode. My girlfriend has been watching me play and wants to join in. I was thinking is there a way in lieu of building her a new computer...I could run 2 copies of Wow and have each take up half the screen? The problem is...is there a way to have 2 sets of mice/keyboards running on one computer at the same time? I'm assuming there's some kind of software needed if it's possible at all.

Thanks all.

 

[VeryCharBroiled]

well, 2 usb mice do work at the same time, but they each control the one (and only) mouse pointer on the screen. its just each will move it.

I dont think theres any way to do what you want (2 copies of wow running independently controlled by 2 mice/ 2 kb.)

maybe 2 copies of wow with one copy controlled by a gamepad and/or one of those funky all-in-one game controllers that has keys/scroll bars/trackballs and one copy controlled via regular mouse/kb? you would use the kb/mouse to start/loginto/setup each copy, then use the separate controllers to play.

I have absolutely no idea if that would work though, so dont rush out and buy anything based on this post

 

[MegaVovaN]

The operating system only has one active window at a time. So Even with 2 sets of kbm and joystick you will only control one copy at a time. Even if you put WOW in a virtual machine it won't work. Rather than deal with the hassle, get another computer, monitor, and kb/mouse.

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
The operating system only has one active window at a time. So Even with 2 sets of kbm and joystick you will only control one copy at a time. Even if you put WOW in a virtual machine it won't work. Rather than deal with the hassle, get another computer, monitor, and kb/mouse.

:thumbsup:

You've already got a 46" screen, so spend a couple hundred more and get her a full computer. WOW doesn't need the most impressively speced computer to run it, so just get what you can spend and call it a day.

 

[dguy6789]

There actually is software that does exactly what he wants to do, but I don't remember the name of it. I don't think it's free either.

 

[VirtualLarry]

JetWay's "MagicTwin" software would allow you to do what you want, it allows two seperate Windows login sessions on the same PC, using additional mice and keyboards, and dual-display outputs.

Unfortunately, it was purchased by ncomputing, who seem more interested in pushing their hardware thin-client solutions, rather than a software solution.

I'm actually fairly disappointed in Microsoft for not making this happen, with a "Multi-User Windows" edition. It wouldn't be too hard for them to do, and it would make today's Uber-computers much more useful, by just adding a screen and a mouse and keyboard.
It would be ideal for businesses too.

Edit: The likely reason that MS hasn't done this, is that it would cut down on the number of PCs needed per person, and therefore cut down the number of total Windows licenses sold. But I'm sure if they priced it appropriately, a Multi-User edition wouldn't cost them that much.

 

[Zap]

Userful Multiplier

Looks like it is only for Linux. Don't know if gaming will work. Still requires two monitors. Free version supports 2 users on one PC. Live CD available.

 

[ther00kie16]

Looks like Jetway used MagicTwin
Links for the software are all dead, at least on jetway's site but supposedly if u contact them you can may be able to get a copy at minimal cost (shipping?). Otherwise... cough cough... filename is magictwin3042.zip according to Jetway's site... cough cough.

Ok, so magictwin seems to require hardware as well so it doesn't work on any mb. A year or two ago, I saw some software that allowed 2 sets of mouse & keyboard on 1 computer. It was supposedly to allow a buddy to surf the web with you. But I think that had its limits. Otherwise, there's The Virtual PC BUDDY B-210, which does everything except sound.
Lastly, here's a place to buy the Jetway barebone that uses Magictwin for $200. Seems very cost effective for a small box that will allow 2 people (2 kids?) to use the internet/work at the same time.