1 PC with 2 screens and 2 mice ?

[Cov]

Hi, since I have two screens connected to my PC anyway, I wonder now whether two people could use one PC at the same time, using two different USB mice.

One person would play Mah-Jong on one screen while the other person would use the internet on the other screen.

I think it's called mutliseat.

Thank you

[peterb]

Interesting concept, and in a way it's possible in that you can use another computer to remore into a first one and run applications as if you were there - either on a CLI or with a gui - but of course you are using the display properties of the second computer to interpret the data sent by the first.

So the question is whether a single processor can control two independant grapics cards and two separate mice/kbds?

Thinking on a Linux system, if it is possible to run two x windows sessions then you would need to be able to attach the input devices to each session - and the same may be true in Windows.

http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/multiple-x.html

shows something along the lines using a linux based set up on a virtual machine, although that is really using two operating systems, each with its own screen display.

This link

http://maketecheasier.com/run-multip...ion/2009/07/11

shows something similar without using virtualisation - but has two desktop environments but only one display - so again its almost there - but not quite.

Having seen those two, I'd say it definitely is possible and probably on a Linux system (just because all the code for the various aspects of the display system are available for modification if required) That isn't to say it couldn't be done on a windows system, but it may be harder - and I didn't find any evidence that it has been done - at least not not on a pretty cursory look on Google!

[Zak33]

I think Windows will become very confused and only give you one mouse icon.....

now if ONE of you could just use a keyboard and one the mouse, you'd have a chance...

[Cov]

Someone suggested that, what do you think ?



Link Userful

Only problem is that I wanna stick with Windows 7.

[jendo78]

There's a software you can try: TeamPlayer. Current version is 2.2

I have used it before - it kinda works, but is not ideal. It doesn't give you proper "2 PCs" experience.

TeamPlayer Publisher's Description:

TeamPlayer 2.2 Multi User is the first generic solution for working together on the same computer. Simply connect extra mice and keyboards to your usb ports, install the software and multiple cursors will appear on your screen. WunderWorks' TeamPlayer allows you to work with 2 or more people on the same Windows PC at the same time. The 2.2 version also includes support for dual Monitor setups and the SandBox.


System Requirements
multiple mouse, hard wired or wireless or bluetooth

It's a 30 day free trial.

Download link: http://www.soft32.com/download_238415.html

[peterb]

Just shows what's available if you look hard enough! Both have trial versions (and neither are particularly expensive, so it's probably worth a punt just for the fun of it, if you want to try it.

[jendo78]

It was good fun trying to get TeamPlayer working - kept me busy for a week or so, but I can't see it as a long term solution.
It's very easy to interfere with the other person using the PC especially if you want to use multiple windows. Also using the taskbar will very likely be interrupting the other person's work as it appears only on the main monitor.

I think TeamPlayer was initially designed for more people to be able to work on one project rather than independently sharing one PC.

[duc]

you could try BeTwin, found via wiki. It works with Vista 32/64 so I assume probably Windows7 as well, 15day trial software. Sounds interesting, turns 1 computer into 5.

[CrazyMonkey]

It was good fun trying to get TeamPlayer working - kept me busy for a week or so, but I can't see it as a long term solution.
It's very easy to interfere with the other person using the PC especially if you want to use multiple windows. Also using the taskbar will very likely be interrupting the other person's work as it appears only on the main monitor.

I think TeamPlayer was initially designed for more people to be able to work on one project rather than independently sharing one PC.

Try installing Ultramon so you can have the extended taskbar, configure it so puts windows on relevant taskbar.. should sort that problem out.

[Cov]

Source

[Cov]

you could try BeTwin, found via wiki.

Interesting find duc !!



.. but you would need multiple graphics cards.

[Spud1]

It's a fun concept that i've not looked into for years - going to have a play with these apps thanks

Last time I looked at this it was back on Win98se, when I was playing an excellent game called Settlers II. It had a fairly unique option whereby you could attach two mice to a system, and then play 2 player split screen on one monitor. Each mouse was 100% independently controlled (including simultatneous clicking) and it worked very very well. I was using 1x PS/2 and 1x Serial mouse for this, and it was all setup in-game (so did not work in windows). Not quite the same application but the concept is there.

Intriegued about how well this works