1 Desktop Tower, 2 users

The Dalys · 11-04-2009, 12:01 PM

Hey, i was wonderin if it was possible to have 1 Desktop Tower that supports 2 monitors, 2 keyboards, 2 mice ( and act like it was 2 computers)

aurelius2000 · 11-04-2009, 02:26 PM

You can but only on a linux machine that i know of. Unfortunately, Windows does not have the software that i know of. I will do some research and get back to you on that within the next day or so.

I am sure someone will have, by then, posted before i have with a suggestion/solution.

See, here is the issue. Its the hardware. A PC can accept 2 monitors and 2 mice. But, and here is the issue, there is only one Keyboard controller. That is where the problem is. Unfortunately, i do not know of a work around for Windows PC's. I do, however, know a work around for linux. But that is about the extent of it.

Now, for your dilema, if you happen to have another PC and a small router, you can operate via LAN. Thats about as close as you'll get with a Windows machine.

Sorry for the bad news. But there may be a workaround that i dont know of. Keep the thread open and see what others have to say.

**TheOutcaste** · 11-04-2009, 09:08 PM

That capability has been around for several years.

Obviously need two keyboards, mice, monitors, and two video cards, or a dual head card.

For windows there are hardware solutions:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0109&CatId=204
http://www.ikonnet.com/en/product/hishare.htm

This MB came out in 2004, but can't find any Twin motherboards on Jetway's website now, guess it never caught on.
http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2025

Free Linux 2 user software:
http://www2.userful.com/products/downloads/free-2-user

Microsoft has also developed a split screen setup, where the monitor is split and shared, each side is independent with it's own keyboard and mouse.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/...plitscreen.htm
Article is over two years old (May 2007), haven't seen anything new about it from Microsoft since.

HTH

Jerry

11-04-2009, 12:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Dalys Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 OS: windows XP	1 Desktop Tower, 2 users Hey, i was wonderin if it was possible to have 1 Desktop Tower that supports 2 monitors, 2 keyboards, 2 mice ( and act like it was 2 computers)

11-04-2009, 02:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
aurelius2000 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 205 OS: Windows XP SP3/Windows Vista SP2	Re: 1 Desktop Tower, 2 users You can but only on a linux machine that i know of. Unfortunately, Windows does not have the software that i know of. I will do some research and get back to you on that within the next day or so. I am sure someone will have, by then, posted before i have with a suggestion/solution. See, here is the issue. Its the hardware. A PC can accept 2 monitors and 2 mice. But, and here is the issue, there is only one Keyboard controller. That is where the problem is. Unfortunately, i do not know of a work around for Windows PC's. I do, however, know a work around for linux. But that is about the extent of it. Now, for your dilema, if you happen to have another PC and a small router, you can operate via LAN. Thats about as close as you'll get with a Windows machine. Sorry for the bad news. But there may be a workaround that i dont know of. Keep the thread open and see what others have to say.

11-04-2009, 09:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheOutcaste TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 826 OS: MS-Dos 6.22 - Win7	Re: 1 Desktop Tower, 2 users That capability has been around for several years. Obviously need two keyboards, mice, monitors, and two video cards, or a dual head card. For windows there are hardware solutions: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0109&CatId=204 http://www.ikonnet.com/en/product/hishare.htm This MB came out in 2004, but can't find any Twin motherboards on Jetway's website now, guess it never caught on. http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2025 Free Linux 2 user software: http://www2.userful.com/products/downloads/free-2-user Microsoft has also developed a split screen setup, where the monitor is split and shared, each side is independent with it's own keyboard and mouse. http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/...plitscreen.htm Article is over two years old (May 2007), haven't seen anything new about it from Microsoft since. HTH Jerry __________________ Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Of course I know all the answers; I just don't always match the answers to the right questions. Rated R for Violence -- When your PC flies through a window, that's violent, right?