[warpmoon]

I'm wondering if it's possible to use an adapter between my monitor and my two computers so that I can switch between the output from them without having to power them down and move the cable myself?

One of the computers is a Sawtooth 450 MHz AGP and the other one is an old beige 266 MHz desktop.

The Sawtooth uses the monitor's native VGA cable while the beige one needs an adapter between the cable and the computer itself. (it's name escapes me at the moment)

Is there an adapter out there that supports this?

Preferrably cheap, and easy to aquire. I live in Sweden and I'd prefer not having to order it from The States for obvious reasons...

(Note that I don't care about having two keyboards. Since the beige one would simply act as a server in this configuration, I would only need to use it's keyboard when absolutly necessary)

[lucylawless]

I got a no-name monitor switch from Fry's for $20. You might find one at outpost, now that it's owned by Fry's.

But, I don't understand why you would need a monitor and not a keyboard.

[warpmoon]

"But, I don't understand why you would need a monitor and not a keyboard."

I ment that I didn't mind having two keyboards, since one of them would probably not be used that much anyway.

The reason I mentioned this was that that I had seen what looked liked "pc-switchboxes" that had ports for the monitor, ps/2 and a serial port. The idea seemed to be that one would use the same keyboard for both computers as well.

Anyway, could you explain your setup and how it works, please?

(ie, how does bootup work, how does switching between the two computers work, any conflicts when swtiching?)

[wallinbl]

Not that you are looking for a new monitor, but there are plenty of monitors with dual inputs. I have a Viewsonic PS790, and have two computers plugged into it. I switch between them using the on screen display.

[lucylawless]

I have a Pismo powerbook, and a Dell Dimension. Each has a cable going to the switch, and the switch has a cable going to the monitor. To be honest, the idea never crossed my mind that either machine would get upset if I kept hot-plugging the monitor, which I assume is basically what the switch does. When I boot up, I usually have the monitor on the machine that's booting, watch it for a few seconds to make sure it 'took', then switch back to the other machine to work for a few minutes.

[warpmoon]

Thanks, wallinbl, I'll keep that in mind next time I buy one


lucylawless, thanks for explaining it too me, the kind of setup that you have is exactly what I'm looking for.

The reason I asked was because I didn't want to mess my computers or monitor up with a $20 switchbox, especially since the warranty has run out and my limited student funds prevents me from replacing everything myself.

Anyway, I'll see if I can find something that looks promising.

Although, if someone has more input on the matter, I'd gladly hear it *hint* *hint* ^_^

[ 02-04-2002: Message edited by: warpmoon ]

what you are looking for is called a KVM switch (keyboard, video, mouse). The most common one right now are vga monitor/usb mouse. If you buy one, the cheapest would be to get the usb/vga one. The ones that have mac ports are more expensive.

You should not have to worry about damaging your machines by using these because the point is that it lets the computer think that it is still connected to a monitor that is why they have power to them (at least the three that I have bought have power). These type of switches are widely used in server rooms and render farms where they have one monitor for 50 or 100 computers and if you look at the repair area at compusa you will probably see one monitor that is connected to about ten computers.

anyhoo, it is cheaper than a new monitor and if you have usb on both machines you only need 1 keyboard and 1 mouse. look for KVM at outpost.com, don't pay more than $80

[warpmoon]

whoha

thanks ryudo, that was a lot of info very quickly

Too bad my beige computer uses ADB instead of USB I suppose, oh well, I'll manage anyway (its not like I didn't suspect that I would have to use two keyboards)