Can I use 2 keyboards simultaneously?

[Guest]

I have 2 keyboards: One is beige and uses a USB connection; the other is
black and uses a standard 6-pin DIN connector color-coded violet to match
the jack on the back of the computer. I can use either of these keyboards
if I boot up with the desired one in place. Here's the problem:

I can't read the key caps on the black keyboard--at least not easily--so I
prefer the beige keyboard. My wife finds the black one MUCH easier to use.
(Why, I don't know.) It's a bother to swap keyboards every time the
computer swaps users, so I'd like to leave both keyboards connected all the
time. Is there a good way to do this so that both are active all the time?

Thanks,

Norm Strong

 

[Mac]

KVM

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

I have 2 keyboards: One is beige and uses a USB connection; the
other is black and uses a standard 6-pin DIN connector color-coded
violet to match the jack on the back of the computer. I can use
either of these keyboards if I boot up with the desired one in place.
Here's the problem:
I can't read the key caps on the black keyboard--at least not
easily--so I prefer the beige keyboard. My wife finds the black one
MUCH easier to use. (Why, I don't know.) It's a bother to swap
keyboards every time the computer swaps users, so I'd like to leave
both keyboards connected all the time. Is there a good way to do
this so that both are active all the time?
Thanks,

Norm Strong

No, you can't have two keyboards connected that I know of.

You could probably save yourself some serious marriage counseling fees if
you just went out and bought a new keyboard that met both your needs.

 

[Mac]

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-01,GGLD:en&q=KVM

 

[Lem]

KVM

Actually, a KVM goes the other way -- one keyboard (and mouse and
monitor) to multiple computers.

I've seen a "reverse-KVM" or KVM splitter, but at $400 or so, that's not
a real solution for the OP.

I've also seen a "Y-key key Dual Keyboard Adapter"
http://www.ymouse.com/ymouse/whym04.php
that will let you have two PS/2 type keyboards connected to a single
computer. There are some USB to PS/2 adapters
(http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1220387&CatId=469)
and "perhaps" one of these could be combined with the "Y-key" to solve
the OP's issue, but the more converters and adapters you use, the less
likely that things will work properly.

Even if the combo of the "Y-key" and a USB to PS/2 adapter worked, it is
more expensive ($55) than a replacement keyboard. The best solution is
probably for the OP and his wife to go together to a computer store and
pick out a replacement keyboard that they both like.

 

[Cleve S.]

Mac,

It should work fine, try it and see. I have a PS2 keyboard and mouse, and a
wireless keyboard and mouse that uses a USB receiver, works fine.

Cleve

 

[LVTravel]

Should work OK. It would not physically hurt anything to try for your
system. I have had a laptop with the built-in keyboard, a PS 2 keyboard and
a USB keyboard all on the same system and each operated fine and I could
switch between them a leisure. Just don't try to use them at exactly the
same time since unpredictable results may ensue.
..

 

[Blair]

Actually you can have 2 keyboards hooked up. I have a Logitech usb cordless
keyboard/mouse combo, a ps2 keyboard, that came with the computer, and a
Logitech usb (wired) mouse all going at this moment. The only reason I have
2 mice hooked up is the batteries in my cordless mouse don't last long, I'm
using rechargables, so when they die, I'm still able to use amouse right
away till they're charged up again. I prefer cordless. My 2 cents.
Blair

 

[HeyBub]

No, you can't have two keyboards connected that I know of.

You could probably save yourself some serious marriage counseling
fees if you just went out and bought a new keyboard that met both
your needs.

Try that experiment with toilet tissue first.

 

[mikeyhsd]

will work fine, seeing as one is USB and the other PS2. have done it.



(e-mail address removed)



I have 2 keyboards: One is beige and uses a USB connection; the other is
black and uses a standard 6-pin DIN connector color-coded violet to match
the jack on the back of the computer. I can use either of these keyboards
if I boot up with the desired one in place. Here's the problem:

I can't read the key caps on the black keyboard--at least not easily--so I
prefer the beige keyboard. My wife finds the black one MUCH easier to use.
(Why, I don't know.) It's a bother to swap keyboards every time the
computer swaps users, so I'd like to leave both keyboards connected all the
time. Is there a good way to do this so that both are active all the time?

Thanks,

Norm Strong

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Try that experiment with toilet tissue first.

You must use very expensive TP!

 

[Frank]

I have 2 keyboards: One is beige and uses a USB connection; the other is
black and uses a standard 6-pin DIN connector color-coded violet to match
the jack on the back of the computer. I can use either of these keyboards
if I boot up with the desired one in place. Here's the problem:

I can't read the key caps on the black keyboard--at least not easily--so I
prefer the beige keyboard. My wife finds the black one MUCH easier to use.
(Why, I don't know.) It's a bother to swap keyboards every time the
computer swaps users, so I'd like to leave both keyboards connected all the
time. Is there a good way to do this so that both are active all the time?

Thanks,

Norm Strong

The PS/2 and the USB keyboards work on my box at the same time.
I found out by accident or a senior moment.