Member Avatar for computerages

Hi,

I have a desktop, and a laptop. I want to use a single keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor with both of these using a KVM switch.

When I am using my laptop, I also want to make use of laptop screen. I was wondering is there is way to have dual screens when using KVM.

I would appreciate if you can recommend me a KVM switch, or maybe there is some software solution.

I am using Ubuntu Linux on my laptop, and Windows XP on my desktop.

May be there is a way to use laptop screen along with the monitor even when working on Windows?

Thank you.

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A concise summary for and anyone landing here later: a simple hardware KVM only selects which machine’s video is shown on the single external monitor — it does not combine two machines into one extended desktop. There are three practical ways to get the workflow people usually want (use both screens and a single keyboard/mouse), with tradeoffs for cost, complexity and responsiveness.

First, use the KVM for input/video switching and treat the laptop’s internal screen as a normal second display only when working on the laptop. On Ubuntu the simplest method is the Displays control or xrandr; example commands:

xrandr -q
xrandr --output <external> --right-of <internal> --auto

On the laptop, set lid-close action to “do nothing” if the lid will stay closed while driving an external monitor.

Second, avoid switching the monitor entirely and share keyboard/mouse across machines with a software KVM (cross-platform tools like Synergy). The machine with the physical keyboard/mouse runs the server; the other runs the client. This gives seamless input across both screens while each OS keeps its own desktop (no single combined desktop, but excellent for editing, terminals and paperwork).

Third, make the laptop act as an extra display for the desktop using virtual-display/remote-display tools (examples historically available: MaxiVista/ZoneScreen on Windows, or X11 tools such as x2x). These create a virtual second monitor over the network but usually have latency and are poor for video/gaming.

If the goal is true multi-monitor sharing across machines with no compromise, look at dual-head KVMs or video-matrix switches (two video channels per computer) — more costly. Common troubleshooting: ensure the KVM passes DDC/EDID (avoids wrong resolutions), update GPU drivers, and disable laptop suspend on lid close. The suggestions from and point in these directions; choice depends on whether the priority is low-latency video or simple, low-cost input sharing.

Recommended Answers

All 12 Replies

Member Avatar for Rik_

There is usually a key press that you have to do to switch between internal screen and external monitor on most laptops. Just don't switch it to external!!

Member Avatar for thangaa

you do one thing install VNC Viewer in your desktop, from that you can log in remotely to you laptop.... before that you as to enable remoter desktop in you Ubuntu

i hope this will help you...try

Member Avatar for computerages

There is usually a key press that you have to do to switch between internal screen and external monitor on most laptops. Just don't switch it to external!!

Hi,

That's true, but if I want to use both of the screens together? Is there any software, or hardware solution?

Thanks!

Member Avatar for Rik_

That all depends exactly what you mean by "together". Please explain what you want to achieve precisely.

Member Avatar for computerages

That all depends exactly what you mean by "together". Please explain what you want to achieve precisely.

Well, I have seen people using two screen for one computer. They can drag windows from one screen to another, and work on both of them.

The basic idea is having more space to spread the opened windows.

Member Avatar for Rik_

So you mean a dual screen setup. That is something completely different from having 2 machines through a KVM.

Dual screen can only be done with graphics cards that have more tan one output.
As and example, I have a flatscreen tv connected to my DVI port and a standard CRT monitor connected to my vga port. It is possible to use more than one graphics card in a pc but it will depend on what slots you have and what make the cards are to some degree. Some laptops have a GVA output that can be used for a second screen but the quality is usually quite poor.

Member Avatar for computerages

So you mean a dual screen setup. That is something completely different from having 2 machines through a KVM.

Dual screen can only be done with graphics cards that have more tan one output.
As and example, I have a flatscreen tv connected to my DVI port and a standard CRT monitor connected to my vga port. It is possible to use more than one graphics card in a pc but it will depend on what slots you have and what make the cards are to some degree. Some laptops have a GVA output that can be used for a second screen but the quality is usually quite poor.

Essentially, I want to use KVM so I can also share the additional monitor with desktop.

My system set up will be similar to having an external monitor connected to laptop through VGA port. Now, I want use both of these screens instead of using them one at a time.

Thanks!

Member Avatar for Rik_

The only option you will probably get is to clone which means both screens will show the same output. I don't think it's possible to do dual screen with a laptop.

Member Avatar for thangaa

through KVM switch you can see one screen at time..but there is one option use remote software like VNC Viewer...from that you can connect as many system you want...then yo don't want to switch in KVM to get other system desktop...

if you want more information...

call
[snip]
~thangaa

Edited by Ezzaral because: snipped phone
Member Avatar for smartvmuk

If you want to view two screens simultaneously on the screen use quad screen splitter, it helps you to view videos up to 4 devices simultaneously on the same screen.

Member Avatar for MikeTackett

First off, how many screens do you have? It sounds like three, one for the monitor, one on the laptop, and a third 'free' one for your extended monitor. If you only have two (one laptop and one actual screen) there is nothing really you can do to have extended desktops on both the laptop and desktop.

Member Avatar for smartvmuk

A kvm switch can work fine for both your Laptop and PC.

Edited by Ezzaral because: Snipped advertising.
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