Two Computers One Monitor

- Saves Space and Money

Running two computers one monitor makes sense if you want to save space and the cost of buying a 2nd monitor, but what's the best way to do it ?

If you are wondering why on earth anyone would want to run two computers one monitor, I can only tell you why I do.

A couple of years ago I became increasingly concerned about having all my critical files on one PC so decided to archive them onto a 2nd PC.

At the same time I also decided that since my wife had her own PC and monitor that we wanted to be able to share the same printers.

The solution I decided upon was to build a small office network and use an older PC as the 2nd machine acting as a print server and backup file server.

Rather than have two monitors, which I didn't have the desk space for and didn't have a good working one anyway, I decided to opt for a two computer one monitor solution.

It quickly dawned on me that what I actually needed was a two computer one monitor, one keyboard, one mouse setup.

There was no point in having two computers one monitor if I still had two keyboards and two mouses, or should I say two mice.

After some research on the Internet I found the ideal solution which was a 2 port KVM Switch.

A good online source for KVM Switches that I found had switches from Belkin, D-Link, Linksys, Trendware, Iogear and Zonet among others, with prices starting at $25.

If you want to check out what's available clicking on the link above will take you to the computer section, where you should then look under "Networking - Wired Networking - KVM Switches." Alternatively just search for KVM switches.

Much to my surprise I even found a 4 port version. Now why anyone would want to run four computers one monitor I have no idea.

The 2 port switch I bought came without connecting cables, but there are switch kits that you can now buy that come complete with all cables, but check they are going to be long enough.

The unit came with clear instructions so connecting it up was easy as shown in the diagram opposite.

Connections from the VGA monitor outputs on the two computers, plus the connections from the PS/2 mouse port and keyboard were connected by additional (kit) cables to the ports at the rear of the switch.

The VGA cable attached to the monitor then connected to the rear vacant switch port and the single keyboard and mouse connected to two ports on the front of the unit.

The KVM switch had a manual press button on the unit to select which computer is connected to the monitor, keyboard and mouse.

However, manual selection is not something I use, since choosing which PC is connected can be done from the keyboard.

I have had two years of trouble free service from my KVM switch which allows me to switch effortlessly between two computers one monitor by just double clicking the Ctrl key on the keyboard.

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