DVI/VGA switch

[horatiub]

Here is my situation: I have a Dell 1905fp monitor with DVI and VGA output. I would like to connect 2 computers to this monitor, one with a DVI connection and the other just standard VGA. I can't seem to find a switch box that would have a VGA and DVI input, but I was wondering if it's possible to connect both computers to the jacks behing the monitor and use some sort of software to do the switch between them.

Any ideas? Thank you

 

[Matthias99]

Why would you need 'software' to do this? Every monitor I've ever seen with multiple inputs can switch between them at will (usually there's a button on the front that does this).

 

[Rage187]

as noted, try hitting the SOURCE button and, voila you can use 2 computers with 1 monitor.

 

[horatiub]

hmm, interesting. So, I just have to find out what's the Source button on this Dell 1905fp. Thank you guys, I appreciate it!

 

[Rage187]

think the dell source buttons have a insignia similar to <I> on them.

 

[knyghtbyte]

hmmm...cant remember now, but if your dell monitor is the same one i got (its in the other room, gave it to my mum to use when i got new computer, i prefer CRT for gaming) then you dont wanna plug both DVI and VGA in to it....i think it can cause problems.....i remember when i got it reading a sob story about someone hooking both up and the monitor went dodgy.....and dell wouldnt replace cuz it does warn in the manual not too.....

i'll find out when i can if mine is same model, if it is then i'd advise you dont hook two cables up to it....lol....

its the 19in flat panel, Ultrasharp model yes?

edit: havnt found the monitor model yet btw, but it might have been the same computer connecting via both DVI and VGA was bad....will try and get hold of the guy it happened too...shouldbe on msn eventually....lol

 

[AntiStatic]

i have this setup-

pc 1 evga 7800gtx to dvi in on samsung 930b
mouse and keyboard on KVM
pc 2 evga 6800gt D-Sub to KVM, KVM to D-Sub on 930b

when i want to switch i hit scroll lock 2 times (this makes the KVM switch the mouse and kb) and push a button on my monitor to flip from analog to digital. it works perfectly.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: knyghtbyte
hmmm...cant remember now, but if your dell monitor is the same one i got (its in the other room, gave it to my mum to use when i got new computer, i prefer CRT for gaming) then you dont wanna plug both DVI and VGA in to it....i think it can cause problems.....i remember when i got it reading a sob story about someone hooking both up and the monitor went dodgy.....and dell wouldnt replace cuz it does warn in the manual not too.....

i'll find out when i can if mine is same model, if it is then i'd advise you dont hook two cables up to it....lol....

its the 19in flat panel, Ultrasharp model yes?

edit: havnt found the monitor model yet btw, but it might have been the same computer connecting via both DVI and VGA was bad....will try and get hold of the guy it happened too...shouldbe on msn eventually....lol

I looked at a couple of the manuals on Dell.com. None of the 19" LCDs say you can't use both the DVI and VGA connectors simultaneously (also, the button with the little monitor icon and an arrow is the 'input select' button; of course, with only four choices, it's not hard to figure out).

Some of them say not to hook them both up to the same computer, but even that should not damage the monitor. It's not like the monitor can tell that both the video feeds are coming from the same computer.

 

[horatiub]

Originally posted by: AntiStatic
i have this setup-

pc 1 evga 7800gtx to dvi in on samsung 930b
mouse and keyboard on KVM
pc 2 evga 6800gt D-Sub to KVM, KVM to D-Sub on 930b

when i want to switch i hit scroll lock 2 times (this makes the KVM switch the mouse and kb) and push a button on my monitor to flip from analog to digital. it works perfectly.

just a question: why didn't you connect pc2 video straight to the D-Sub on the monitor?

 

[knyghtbyte]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: knyghtbyte
hmmm...cant remember now, but if your dell monitor is the same one i got (its in the other room, gave it to my mum to use when i got new computer, i prefer CRT for gaming) then you dont wanna plug both DVI and VGA in to it....i think it can cause problems.....i remember when i got it reading a sob story about someone hooking both up and the monitor went dodgy.....and dell wouldnt replace cuz it does warn in the manual not too.....

i'll find out when i can if mine is same model, if it is then i'd advise you dont hook two cables up to it....lol....

its the 19in flat panel, Ultrasharp model yes?

edit: havnt found the monitor model yet btw, but it might have been the same computer connecting via both DVI and VGA was bad....will try and get hold of the guy it happened too...shouldbe on msn eventually....lol

I looked at a couple of the manuals on Dell.com. None of the 19" LCDs say you can't use both the DVI and VGA connectors simultaneously (also, the button with the little monitor icon and an arrow is the 'input select' button; of course, with only four choices, it's not hard to figure out).

Some of them say not to hook them both up to the same computer, but even that should not damage the monitor. It's not like the monitor can tell that both the video feeds are coming from the same computer.

it was connecting one computer to one monitor but via both cables that was the problem, it fried his graphics card, mobo and monitor....lol
sorry didnt answer last night, got tired and went to bed.......he said the Dell techs said his was a very bad worst case scenario, but thats why they put that disclaimer in not to do it.......

so two different computers to one monitor shouldnt be a problem......

 

[horatiub]

ok, i see, thank you for the reply