Help can some one advise please.

[Wozuby]

Hi this must be the place to ask.

Can I run 2 rigs at the same time using the same monitor. 1 on vga and other on dvi and just switch over from input button on monitor

[z80]

Would probably depend on the monitor.

Are you in a position to try it?

If you are not able to though - have a look at getting a KVM switch.

[GrahamGarside]

If the monitor has an input switch/button then yes.

Both my monitors allow this, my better one has a simple button on the front to flip between them, my older one needs to go through the menu to change it but most monitors with dual inputs support both at the same time in this manner.

[Wozuby]

Ok as far as I can say is the dell lcd has a button to select either vga and dvi just tried with only one system running, looking good, but my next question prior to trying both systems, is if using one mouse n keyboard for both, surely both systems will be receiving inputs and with only seeing one system i couldn't see what was happening with other, does that make sense.

Thanks for your help and advise Z80 n GrahamGarside

[kasavien]

To use one mouse, keyboard and monitor in the manner you are describing you would need a kvm switch. The KVM switch allows one monitor, keyboard and mouse to be connected to 2 or maybe more machines, the user then chooses which machine is using the monitor, keyboard and mouse at any one time. I'm guessing at this but it could also allow you to use just DVI or VGA depending on what outputs each machine has.

Hope this helps, i'm not too good at describing things at times

Andy

[GrahamGarside]

Like kasavien said you either need a kvm to use the same mouse and keyboard or constant lead swapping.

Perhaps a better solution if the systems are networked would be to use a VNC program or even XP's remote desktop. You loose things like hardware accelerated graphics but for just managing the system it's fine.

[Wozuby]

Thanks for all your advise much appreciative. Both systems are now running on Dell LCD, easy input switch as you stated works a treat,I will be using 2x keyboard n mouse both cordless easy enough.