How can I run Windows and Mac side by side?

[rekta]

Hi all,

I'm sorry but I'm really having a hard time explaining because English is not my native language. But I'll try my best.

My title is incomplete because of short space. I don't even know if that would be the appropriate title for my query.

Anyway, I have two computers right now. A PC that has Windows and a Mac Mini with Leopard. I have two 24-inch monitors and want to put these in just 1 table.

My idea is running these two computers at the same time (side by side) with each computer having its own monitor. Both are connected to a wired router.

1) Can I only use ONE keyboard and mouse for both OSes? Without interfering with each other? I know that the keyboards are mapped differently so just let me know if this is possible?


*This is the one I'm having difficulty explaining. sorry.
2) Let's say that monitor 1 (left) has windows 7 and monitor 2 (right) has Leopard-mac mini with only 1 Keyboard and mouse:

Scenario 1: I'm working in Windows 7 and decided to use Leopard right away - my idea is just dragging the mouse to the right and go to the Leopard desktop. Like an Extended desktop, except that the extended desktop is the Leopard (from macmini) one.

Scneario 2: Let's say I have an mp3 file in my Windows Desktop and decided to drap and copy the file to my Leopard Desktop, is it possible?

I read somewhere before that a guy did this scenario but with only 1 Mac system (Mac Pro) with dual display monitors. He installed Vmware on his Mac and installed Windows XP as a virtual machine and set it as an extended desktop and maximized the screen. So it looks like his left screen is the Mac OS X, and the right is Windows XP. He can drag files from left to right and vise versa (I guess through Vmware).

That is my idea, except, I want the real thing. I don't want Virtual OS on my second monitor since I have two computers.

Is it possible? I was thinking that in my main PC (Windows 7), I will remote access the Mac and put it on my extended desktop and maximize it. However, that removes the idea of having one monitor for each computer.

Is there a program that does this? A real-time cross-platform software (I don't know how to call it).

Thank you in advanced!

EDIT:

I saw a demonstration of an open source program called Synergy. Which is a very neat tool. I guess that answers question 1.

I just need to know if there a similar program from dragging and dropping files in cross platform manner like the synergy program.

Thanks again.

 

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: rekta
Hi all,

I'm sorry but I'm really having a hard time explaining because English is not my native language. But I'll try my best.

My title is incomplete because of short space. I don't even know if that would be the appropriate title for my query.

Anyway, I have two computers right now. A PC that has Windows and a Mac Mini with Leopard. I have two 24-inch monitors and want to put these in just 1 table.

My idea is running these two computers at the same time (side by side) with each computer having its own monitor. Both are connected to a wired router.

1) Can I only use ONE keyboard and mouse for both OSes? Without interfering with each other? I know that the keyboards are mapped differently so just let me know if this is possible?


*This is the one I'm having difficulty explaining. sorry.
2) Let's say that monitor 1 (left) has windows 7 and monitor 2 (right) has Leopard-mac mini with only 1 Keyboard and mouse:

Scenario 1: I'm working in Windows 7 and decided to use Leopard right away - my idea is just dragging the mouse to the right and go to the Leopard desktop. Like an Extended desktop, except that the extended desktop is the Leopard (from macmini) one.

Scneario 2: Let's say I have an mp3 file in my Windows Desktop and decided to drap and copy the file to my Leopard Desktop, is it possible?

I read somewhere before that a guy did this scenario but with only 1 Mac system (Mac Pro) with dual display monitors. He installed Vmware on his Mac and installed Windows XP as a virtual machine and set it as an extended desktop and maximized the screen. So it looks like his left screen is the Mac OS X, and the right is Windows XP. He can drag files from left to right and vise versa (I guess through Vmware).

That is my idea, except, I want the real thing. I don't want Virtual OS on my second monitor since I have two computers.

Is it possible? I was thinking that in my main PC (Windows 7), I will remote access the Mac and put it on my extended desktop and maximize it. However, that removes the idea of having one monitor for each computer.

Is there a program that does this? A real-time cross-platform software (I don't know how to call it).

Thank you in advanced!

EDIT:

I saw a demonstration of an open source program called Synergy. Which is a very neat tool. I guess that answers question 1.

I just need to know if there a similar program from dragging and dropping files in cross platform manner like the synergy program.

Thanks again.

That software sounds pretty neat. I'm thinking that if it syncs clipboards, you can just copy a file on one pc and move the mouse to your other pc and paste the file on the 2nd machine, which should answer question 2, if I'm understanding the abilities of the software.

 

[rekta]

Yeah, I want to know that too. According the the website, it syncs the clipboard. I don't know if it is text only. Probably someone who uses this program can shed some light. It would really be cool if files can be copy and pasted.

 

[armstrda]

I think the closest you will get to what you want is through remote desktop or VNC to the other machine.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: rekta

1) Can I only use ONE keyboard and mouse for both OSes? Without interfering with each other? I know that the keyboards are mapped differently so just let me know if this is possible?

No. One keyboard/mouse connected to two computers at the same time would likely lead to my favorite computer question.... "Are flames supposed to shoot out of it like that?"

You could use a switch of some type to switch the mouse/keyboard from computer to computer.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Billb2
You could use a switch of some type to switch the mouse/keyboard from computer to computer.

Right - that is what a KVM switch does.

KVM

 

[Skeeedunt]

I know a few people at work who use Synergy for Mac/Linux and Linux/Windows, and it seems to work pretty well for just the keyboard/mouse part. As far as I know it doesn't support dragging and dropping of files across computers though.

 

[TheStu]

What the OP could do in that situation is set up file sharing between the two systems and then just leave that shared folder open on both systems. You drop the file into that dropbox, and then recover it on the other side. Not as elegant as dragging from one screen to another, but it gets the job done.

 

[akugami]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: Billb2
You could use a switch of some type to switch the mouse/keyboard from computer to computer.

Right - that is what a KVM switch does.

KVM

I second the use of a KVM switch.

I use a KVM at work for one of our PC DVR's that records the security cameras as well as the server. Both computers are basically not touched unless there is an issue. We save space by using only one keyboard, mouse and monitor for both systems. There's a button switch that will switch between which is the active computer. Since you are using two separate monitors you won't need to connect the video but it'll still work for switching between the keyboard and mouse.

I'd probably stick with a Logitech or Microsoft keyboard and mouse to hopefully ensure compatibility. Some keys might be remapped or some functionality might be missing when using keyboards on a Mac so do your research.

 

[rekta]

Hey thanks guys.

I think I sorted it out. After doing some research, KVM switch might not work for me because I super often switch from mac to PC and back. If I use a KVM Switch I either have to press a button to transfer to a different screen or press hot keys. But I think I'll go for Synergy first and let's see from there. If there is a way to use a KVM Switch without pressing buttons to go to other computers, I'd go for that.

Thank you guys I really appreciate your time from posting in my queries. Problem seems to be solved for now Hope Synergy goes gold in my case.

 

[DrGreen2007]

Synergy works for what you want to do, although the MAC port of the app is so-so, I have ~400 desks setup with it
Kavoom! works much better, but is Windows only, and isnt free.