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Software or Hardware needed to control 2 computers with 1 KB+M

Nvidiaguy07

Nvidiaguy07

Platinum Member
I have two computers hooked up to my main PC. One is running windows 10, and the other is mainly running Linux, but also sometimes windows 10 as well.

I guess a hardware solution would be fine, where I have the keyboard and mouse hooked up to a hub that you press a physical button that makes them switch between PCs. Does this exist?

Ive heard of software solutions as well. Ive seen Synergy as a sponsor in Linus videos https://symless.com/synergy/linus4 would that be a good choice? Lemme know what you think.
 
I would recommend a hardware one too, as if you need to do something before the os loads, the hardware solution will allow for that

As for which one, i find they are about all the same for a 2 computer unit. Some you can get with a hardware button to switch between the two, some are only a double button switch ( ie press SCRL twice for example)

Then there are the ones that have the cables integrated, or one that are separate, again there are pros and cons to each
 
I have a IOgear usb 3.0 4-port switch that lets me use a kb/mouse (+2 other devices) with two different systems. was kind of pricey, but works like it should.

GUS434

if you don't need USB 3.0, the 2.0 version is about half the price
 
I currently do this for my triple monitor setup. I hate that in a traditional setup, windows/dialogs open wherever the hell they want, ex: a search dialog for a program might end up on the other monitor instead of the one you're working on. And it changes based on application. So to remedy that my main system is actually single monitor and the two side monitors are raspbery PIs. I then use Synergy to move the mouse across.

Downside is that Synergy crashes ALL THE FREAKING TIME. I'm constantly having to kill -9 it and restart it. When it crashes, the process does not terminate it just stays stuck. So it would be hard to write a watchdog script to just restart it, because there is no real easy way to detect if it crashed. I've been wanting to pour through the source so I can strip out the relevant parts and rewrite my own version that does not crash but have not had a chance.

Once I'm more versed in electronics I really want to look into making a hardware solution. What I have in mind is something that is sorta like a KVM, except each USB out port going to the PCs acts as a mouse and keyboard so each PC always sees a mouse and keyboard plugged in. You plug a mouse and keyboard into the device, and depending on which PC is selected it just"routes" the movement to the respective port. But at any given time, all PCs see a mouse and keyboard attached. A KVM on the other hand actually logically connects/disconnects the mouse/keyboard, so that's why they are so slow. There would also be some software so it can detect that cursor is at the screen edge, but it would also be made to work without the software if you hit the button manually. I researched this briefly and using certain micro controllers and reading up on USB protocol I think it would be doable. There are probably some premade mouse and keyboard controller ICs out there too, I would maybe cheat and use those.
 
zeekr said:
Another software solution, and alternative to Synergy, is Microsoft's Mouse without Borders tool:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-nz/download/details.aspx?id=35460
Click to expand...

Nice, never heard of this one. one thing to note about its is because its is a MS Garage project, which means that it was build by a MS employee in their spare time, it may not get updates or work consistently.

But never the less, it as nice alternative if you need something basic or something free to fill a quick need this could work
 
I think im gonna go with the 2.0 switch as others have mentioned.

@Red Squirrel Can you elaborate on how you have your other two monitors as rasberry pis? Are they just completely separate systems, or are they doing something else (not sure why I assumed this). I only ask because for me - my pi is great for little projects, but I could never use it as a full desktop.
 
Nvidiaguy07 said:
I think im gonna go with the 2.0 switch as others have mentioned.

@Red Squirrel Can you elaborate on how you have your other two monitors as rasberry pis? Are they just completely separate systems, or are they doing something else (not sure why I assumed this). I only ask because for me - my pi is great for little projects, but I could never use it as a full desktop.
Click to expand...


Yeah they are completely different systems. I use them just to SSH into other boxes, web pages etc so just running the OS straight. Well the browser I run in an X session to another server, because the browser in Raspbian shuts off on it's own every now and then and I can't figure out why. TBH it's kinda a dirty setup but best way to stay sane from stuff opening on the wrong monitor all the time. I really wish they could figure out how to make it so windows/dialogs etc actually open on the proper (ex: one I'm actually looking at) monitor 100% of the time instead of leaving it up to the app to decide.
 
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