Re: Using a KVM switch to connect 3 computers at once

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 17 Nov 2023 12:21:03 -0500, Paul
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On 11/16/2023 2:10 PM, micky wrote:
>> Running two computers at once. 
>> 
>> It happened sort of by accident but now I'm runing my laptop and my
>> desktop all the time.  And I have a spare computer I really should set
>> up.  
>> 
>> To use just one mouse and one keyboard and switch them from PC to PC, I
>> need a KVM switch, but it seems that those that supply more than 2
>> computers all have HDMI outputs.   And maybe I should get HDMI just
>> because it's newer than USB. But my laptop and desktop inputs are all
>> USB.   I gather someone like me is supposed to get an HDMI to USB cable,
>> but that seems to connect only the mouse OR the keyboard, not both?   So
>> what am I to do? 
>> 
>> I don't want to use only one monitor. It's good to be able to look at
>> both so easily .
>> 
>
>There are the following graphics converters.
>This is not an exhaustive list. I own three out of this
>set, and multiple of some of them. Having multiple even
>came in handy (accidental foresight).
>
>HDMI to VGA (active, cheap)
>DP   to VGA (active, cheap)
>
>DP++ to HDMI (passive, cheap)
>DP   to HDMi (active, cheap)   [For the Optiplex 780, which isn't DP++ capable]
>
>DVI to HDMI  (could be passive)
>DL-DVI to HDMI (active, likely $$)
>(Anything DVI-I or DVI-D is pretty obscure now. Modern vid cards no longer have DVI-I.)
>
>There are converters for just about anything. But you must
>acquire a set, before they go out of production. The last
>HDMI to VGA I bought, I had to go upmarket a bit and get
>one with an analog audio output (stereo), in order to get
>an adapter. Startech was almost wiped out by COVID. And
>my local computer store, just doesn't have the stock any more.
>
>Conversion at high resolution, can have more issues. I don't
>have any 4K stuff here to experiment with.
>
>*******
>
>I would run a KVM on two computers, and leave the third
>computer separate. I refuse to believe the three machines
>need "equal access".

It's not that the 3rd box, which isn't even functional yet ;-), needs
equal access.  It's that I don't feel I have room on the desk for two
keyboards. For the last 18 months I've had one flat and one tilted
behind it.  I can't touch-type on the rear one.  I have to hunt and
peck.  

That's fine for 2 or 3 words, but if I have something long to write I've
tried reversing their positions, but then I get all mixed up and type in
the wrong computer. 
  And I have tried writing in one computer and emailing to the other,
but yesterday I needed data from the 2nd computer B and needed to write
in the first A, so I was going to have to send part from B to A and then
the whole thing from A to B and it was just ridiculous. 
  OTOH, see my latest answer, today's, to John. 

I do have room for two mice, and I may keep both of them.  In fact, the
FAQ for John's method says for win7 or 8 and above there can be a
problem if you don't have a 2nd mouse plugged in, so even if I use that
method, I might as well use a second mouse.. 

> For example, one machine here functions
>as a NAS, and it hardly needs a screen when it is doing that.

I don't know what a NAS is.  If I have a third, it will definitely need
a monitor. 

>I could sit that in the kitchen, and hardly ever look at it.
>
>I could see if one machine was running Linux,

That's one thing I've wanted to do on a spare computer. 

> another Windows,
>the third machine was your file server, you might use a dual-port
>KVM. KVM pricing is not "rational", and you will pay too much
>in any case.
>
>Switching could be done with a button or knob on top of the KVM.

I like the remote button.  The box itself will be 2 feet farther back. 

>Intercepting key presses is for the birds. Not all computers
>seem to be compatible, and you have to be a Level 39 Wizard
>to solve all the KVM problems. KVM setup is hardly ever a
>joyful experience. It's expensive, and craptastic.

We shall see. This thread reminded me that I did have one before and it
worked well, maybe on win7?, but stopped using it when the HDD in the
spare PC crashed and I went back to using only one PC (and the laptop
onlly on trips, not when I got home like now.)   It might have had round
PS2 plugs, so I can't use it now. 

I know things will be different now. 

>That's why the answer you got, with a monitor having three
>HDMI inputs, that exemplifies the "easy" part of the problem,
>the routing of graphics to a monitor. But some of the other
>conversions (PS/2 interfaces to USB outputs or something),
>that stuff can be pretty rough.
>
>I don't own a KVM here. And I don't plan on fattening any
>KVM company profits either.

Even now they are as little as $21 for 2-port, $27 for 4-port. 

> I have two monitors, two keyboards,
>two mice here. For two machines. I put a PC in the kitchen
>if I need a third.
>
>   Paul