One keyboard, mouse, and monitor to rule them both
Ever since I got my new computer my old one has been understandably neglected. It’s been such a hassle crawling under the table to switch the monitor cable back and forth that I’ve just left it be. (I do have 2 keyboards and 2 mice but not really space on the desk for all 4 peripherals.) At least I have an access to the files on my old computer so I’ve been able to move what I want over, but I still want to keep on playing with old I went to pick up the switch last night — after an hour of queuing — and picked up a fresh Nokia battery and Chronicles of Riddick Dark Athena while I was waiting.
This morning I hooked it up. The guide says to turn off all power from the computers, hook everything up and then turn on the computer(s). Well, I did that and nothing worked. I figured it was the same situation as when I’d hooked up my special keyboard and mouse for my very first start-up of the new computer — and the screen kept being black, and nothing lighted up on the keyboard and mouse. So, I plugged my keyboard, mouse, and screen directly to the computer and surfed to Aten’s site to look for a driver. None available. Isn’t this nice.
I read the manual a bit further and it mentions a hot-key for quickly switching between the ports (2 x Scroll Lock). I put everything back again (except for the screen), and pressed Scroll Lock twice. Lo and behold. It made the lovely little chime and started installing a driver. Phew.
I suppose pressing the Scroll Lock would’ve worked the first time around (without having to plug in the switch while the computer was running) but it was actually supposed to detect the computer that turns on first and switch to using that port. Oh well. Now it’s working and after adjusting the resolution back to 1280×1024 everything seems to look the same as before.
Welcome back Sullivan! (I haven’t tried this on it yet, though.)
I hate when I believe that everything’s going to work just fine and then I buy something, install it and it doesn’t work. Or worse yet I do something and it doesn’t work and I think, “hmm, I suppose I should have backed this up”.
At least you got it going. I suppose I could have done something like that with my old computer, instead it’s just in another room and networked. But you can’t get at everything networked.
It is acting up a bit (seems to “boot” every now and then) but it’s been alright enough.
I did use my old computer over the network for a while (just as a network drive really) but the idea of keeping two computers running at the same time for long periods of time isn’t too appealing. I kinda like my electricity bill as small as possible.
Also, I think I read that remote access is not possible on Windows’ Home editions. I would’ve wanted to use that.
How do you have your old computer set up?
Remote access using Microsoft stuff (Remote Desktop, RDP) isn’t possible with the Home editions. But you can install VNC (e.g. Real VNC or Ultra VNC) and get the same thing for free.
Ooh, thanks for letting me know! I knew there had to be alternatives.