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Video spitting: One monitor two or more PC's

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:01 pm
by alex.barylski
I have many computers which are running all the time: Linux Development Server, laptop running XP and a desktop running XP PRO (used for actual development) and another desktop running Ubuntu.

5 Computers in all...it gets crazy hot in my room during the summer :) Not to mention noisy.

Anyways, I have 3 towers but really only need one single monitor (actually 3 for one desktop).

Here is what I would like to do. Is there a physical switch I can install (video splitter?) that I can use to send video output from Ubuntu machine or Windows XP Pro???

The server doesn't need a monitor as everything I do is done through SSH now via my Windows XP machine. I basically have two machines where I would need a separate monitor:

1) Linux Ubuntu
2) Windows XP Pro

I currently run a single monitor off the WIndows tower and an old crt for the Ubuntu, but I am going to buy two more 19" flat screen monitors.

I need a switch/splitter which allows me to switch from Linux to Windows and still support three monitors...

What kind of device am I looking for?

I've google video splitter, etc...no dice. :(

Cheers :)

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:07 pm
by ReverendDexter
Try looking for a KVM switch.

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:15 pm
by alex.barylski
fricken sweet....thanks man :)

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:23 pm
by MrPotatoes
there are monitor switches too. i'm just not a fan of the KVM.

http://www.cablemax.com/switch-boxes.cfm

you can also so a switch between mice and mouse. i'm still looking for a USB mouse/keyboard.

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 1:30 pm
by JayBird
Hockey wrote:fricken sweet....thanks man :)
Can't believe you have never heard of a KVM....where ya been for the last 20 years LOL :lol:

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:54 pm
by MrPotatoes
JayBird wrote:
Hockey wrote:fricken sweet....thanks man :)
Can't believe you have never heard of a KVM....where ya been for the last 20 years LOL :lol:
mayhaps not in bestbuy?

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:56 pm
by Chris Corbyn
JayBird wrote:
Hockey wrote:fricken sweet....thanks man :)
Can't believe you have never heard of a KVM....where ya been for the last 20 years LOL :lol:
I'd never heard of KVM until I worked in IT support and had t constantly tell people the reason the keyboard doesn't work is because they need to hit Scroll-lock and press up twice (on the particular KVM switches Abbey use).

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:13 pm
by superdezign
I used to use one and didn't know it was called 'KVM.'

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:06 pm
by Ambush Commander
I have one of those. It's a good idea, although for some reason my other box doesn't play nice with my monitor so it's effectively useless.