Switching two computers between a single monitor?

We do not have the space on our desk for two monitors. How do we
switch a single monitor between two computers? Only one computer will
be used at any given time. We are not trying to use the single
monitor simultaneously with both computers. My wife had this setup
where she worked, but doesn't remember the switching mechanism that
was used.

Hoping someone knows.

marchus@eqra.com

wrote:
> We do not have the space on our desk for two monitors. How do we
> switch a single monitor between two computers? Only one computer will
> be used at any given time. We are not trying to use the single
> monitor simultaneously with both computers. My wife had this setup
> where she worked, but doesn't remember the switching mechanism that
> was used.
>
> Hoping someone knows.

You're looking for a KVM Switch

http://preview.tinyurl.com/yl2zzl3

n0i

thund3rstruck

wrote:
> We do not have the space on our desk for two monitors. How do we
> switch a single monitor between two computers? Only one computer will
> be used at any given time. We are not trying to use the single
> monitor simultaneously with both computers. My wife had this setup
> where she worked, but doesn't remember the switching mechanism that
> was used.
>
> Hoping someone knows.

Get a bigger desk. They come in assorted shapes and sizes. It'll probably be
possible to pick up one down at the local second hand store for half the
price of a KVM switch.

rf

Andy wrote:
> rf wrote:
>
>> wrote:
>>> We do not have the space on our desk for two monitors. How do we
>>> switch a single monitor between two computers? Only one computer
>>> will be used at any given time. We are not trying to use the single
>>> monitor simultaneously with both computers. My wife had this setup
>>> where she worked, but doesn't remember the switching mechanism that
>>> was used.
>>>
>>> Hoping someone knows.
>>
>> Get a bigger desk. They come in assorted shapes and sizes. It'll
>> probably be possible to pick up one down at the local second hand
>> store for half the price of a KVM switch.
>
> Or, if you're really stuck for space, these are pretty cool:
>
> http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=300216
>
> The actual 'switch' part is the only bit that needs to sit on the
> desktop, and is the size of a large coin.

Did you miss the part where I said that a second hand desk from the second
hand desk store would cost half the price of a KVM? The KVM you cite costs
$59

rf

Andy wrote:
> rf wrote:
>
>> Andy wrote:
>>> rf wrote:
>>>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> We do not have the space on our desk for two monitors. How do we
>>>>> switch a single monitor between two computers? Only one computer
>>>>> will be used at any given time. We are not trying to use the
>>>>> single monitor simultaneously with both computers. My wife had
>>>>> this setup where she worked, but doesn't remember the switching
>>>>> mechanism that was used.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hoping someone knows.
>>>>
>>>> Get a bigger desk. They come in assorted shapes and sizes. It'll
>>>> probably be possible to pick up one down at the local second hand
>>>> store for half the price of a KVM switch.
>>>
>>> Or, if you're really stuck for space, these are pretty cool:
>>>
>>> http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=300216
>>>
>>> The actual 'switch' part is the only bit that needs to sit on the
>>> desktop, and is the size of a large coin.
>>
>> Did you miss the part where I said that a second hand desk from the
>> second hand desk store would cost half the price of a KVM? The KVM
>> you cite costs $59
>
> You think they haven't considered buying a larger desk?

Yes. I do think they have not.

> Did you miss the part where I said "Or, if you're really stuck for
> space"?

No. I did not.

> Or the part where the OP said "How do we switch a single monitor
> between two computers?"

The OP may be trying to solve the wrong problem, that is insufficient desk
space when there may be an entire ballrooms worth of room for another desk.
Do you know any better.

In an any case: nine dots.

> At the end of the day, $59 isn't much money - And a desk costing
> $29.50 (second hand or otherwise) will likely be a complete piece of
> ****.

Bullshit.

rf

wrote in
news::

> We do not have the space on our desk for two monitors. How
> do we switch a single monitor between two computers? Only
> one computer will be used at any given time. We are not
> trying to use the single monitor simultaneously with both
> computers. My wife had this setup where she worked, but
> doesn't remember the switching mechanism that was used.
>
> Hoping someone knows.

I can't believe this thread.

For some of the respondents:
And how much is the second monitor? Less than a KVM as well?

For others:
Has it occurred to you there may NOT be space for a bigger desk?

For the OP:
You can get an excellent Linksys brand KVM switch which is only
cables and connectors and requires a double hit of the "Scroll
lock" key to switch between the systems. It's probably about
$35. I've had one for about 3 or 4 years, it's just marvelous.

A Belkin from Office Depot will probably be just as good (they
look almost identical).


--
There are only two classifications of disk drives: Broken drives
and those that will break later.
- Chuck Armstrong

thanatoid