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Dual Monitor KVM suggestions

Does anyboby use a dual monitor KVM or have reccomendations for one?

 

It seems lately that I am having to use multiple computers for some programming for a project and the multiple mice and keyboards are driving me crazy.  But now that I think of it my monitors have multiple inputs, so I guess I could use just a keyboard/mouse switch if I had to (and they make them).  I do not want to loose the dual screens for each computer and most reviews seem sketchy.

 

Bryan

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Looks like Star Tech might have something that would work. http://ca.startech.com/Server-Management/KVM-Switches/2-Port-DVI-VGA-Dual-Monitor-KVM-Switch-USB-wit... If you do go with Star Tech, be sure to get yourself an OEM account.
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Patrick Allen: FunctionalityUnlimited.ca
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I usually just setup remote desktop and remote into the other PC.  You can set it up to span multiple monitors or fit full screen on just one.

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Thanks for the answers, I will look into them.

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If you're going the remote desktop route, make sure to read this note very carefully.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remote-desktop-connection-faq#1TC=windows-7

 

Only Win 7 Ultimate and Enterprise support this.  For Windows 8, you need Win 8 pro apprently.

 

But regarding a desktop KVM, I have been using one of these

 

http://eng.aten.eu/products/KVM/Desktop-KVM-Switches/4-Port-USB-DVI-Dual-Link-KVM-Switch-with-Audio-...

 

for years without any issues whatsoever.  I'd buy it again if I needed another one.

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@Intaris wrote:

If you're going the remote desktop route, make sure to read this note very carefully.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remote-desktop-connection-faq#1TC=windows-7

 

Only Win 7 Ultimate and Enterprise support this.  For Windows 8, you need Win 8 pro apprently.

 


I had to find that out the hard way before.  Win 7 Pro also supports remote desktop.

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Yeah, win7 pro supports remote desktop, but not the multimonitor option.  Only Win 7 enterprise and ultimate do that.

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@Intaris wrote:

Yeah, win7 pro supports remote desktop, but not the multimonitor option.  Only Win 7 enterprise and ultimate do that.


Really?  I remember some kind of command line option of /span mentioned here.

 

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kirillosenkov/archive/2009/04/10/remote-desktop-span-across-multiple-monitor...

 

Does that command line switch not work in pro?

 

The more I hear about the limitations the more I feel like a 3rd party remote software should be used.  There are several free ones.

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@Intaris wrote:

Yeah, win7 pro supports remote desktop, but not the multimonitor option.  Only Win 7 enterprise and ultimate do that.


You mean I should have read all the way down to the bottom?  Oops. 

 

I only have Pro here at work, and so far it seems to be working OK.  I kind of remember playing with the command line span a while back, but I forgot all about it.

 

Thanks

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@Hooovahh wrote:

Really?  I remember some kind of command line option of /span mentioned here.

 

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kirillosenkov/archive/2009/04/10/remote-desktop-span-across-multiple-monitor...

 

Does that command line switch not work in pro?

 

The more I hear about the limitations the more I feel like a 3rd party remote software should be used.  There are several free ones.


But "proper" multimonitor support does not span one desktop across multiple monitory (the LV Getting started window always appears "between" my 2 monitors).

 

See here for the differences:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2009/07/01/using-multiple-monitors-in-remote-desktop-session.asp...

 

True multimonitor support where the desktop is spanned over X different monitors (each of which with perhaps different resolutions and orientations) with a maximised window filling ONLY the monitor in which it is maximised is limited to Win 7 Enterprise and Ultimate.  This /multimon option is significantly better than /span and (despite MS originally stating the opposite) is NOT supported in Win 7 pro.

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