Keyboard Question

[exec]

Hi,

We have 1 PC with 2 cloned monitors. The monitors are in seperate
offices, about 30 feet apart. What we need to do is to be able to
have each monitor have it's own keyboard & mouse to control the
screen. We are running XP.

My questions are:

1) Can you do thing with Windows configuration, or some type of
inexpensive software or hardware.

2) Since the monitors are cloned, I assume that what happens on one
happens on the other.

3) If we wanted 2 seperate monitors on the same PC, what is involved
in that?

If I could get some help, it would really be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Paul]

Hi,

We have 1 PC with 2 cloned monitors. The monitors are in seperate
offices, about 30 feet apart. What we need to do is to be able to
have each monitor have it's own keyboard & mouse to control the
screen. We are running XP.

My questions are:

1) Can you do thing with Windows configuration, or some type of
inexpensive software or hardware.

2) Since the monitors are cloned, I assume that what happens on one
happens on the other.

3) If we wanted 2 seperate monitors on the same PC, what is involved
in that?

If I could get some help, it would really be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jetway used to make a "dual user" PC. The idea here, is two
users are logged into the same computer, each has their own
keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The video card has two video
connectors, and one "channel" is given to each user. I'm not
sure Jetway does these boxes any more or not. I cannot find
mention of "twin" on their site now.

http://www.engadget.com/2004/04/17/jetways-dual-user-pc/
http://www.jetway.com.tw/jw/news_show.asp?newsid=64

You are more likely to operate an ordinary PC in "clone mode",
with the two monitors displaying the same content. A video card
with two connectors can be placed in clone mode, but the monitors
should ideally be the same with respect to native resolution.
A 30 foot run of video cable, could degrade VGA signal quality,
so 1920x1200 resolution might be pretty fuzzy. Similarly,
DVI or HDMI have some cable limits, and you can search
for reports on what cables worked there, and at what
resolution choices.

Monitor1 ---------|___ video card
Monitor2 ---------|

You can run a USB extension to the other office, and a USB
hub placed there, for a USB keyboard and mouse. Keyboard
and mouse input from either keyboard and mouse should work.
The only thing that might not work, is the remote office
worker may not be able to change the BIOS settings. It
could be that only the local USB keyboard can fix BIOS
settings.

To extend a USB connection, there are active cables like
this. You can use no more than 5 of these, plus a length
of USB cable off the last one. So 5*5 meters plus 5 meters,
for a total of 30 meters. When buying these products, read
the reviews carefully - some active repeater cables don't
seem to work right when cascaded, which is the whole reason
for their existence! What an active cable consists of, is
5 meters of wire, plus a "1 port hub". So there is a chip
inside the blob at the end of the cable, and it is
following normal USB protocol and functions as a USB
hub. That is how it is regenerating the signal, and
also why the cable is limited to 5 meters per stretch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16812224004

With your stated objective of 30 feet, I would use

Computer ---- 2*active_cable---self_powered_hub ---- keyboard
<---30 feet--> ---- mouse
---- other_usb_dev
---- other_usb_dev

By a self powered USB hub, I'm referring to one that comes
with its own power adapter. The power adapter can provide
power to high power local USB devices. You can see such an adapter
bundled with this USB hub. Otherwise, if power for USB
devices comes down the 30 feet of cable, the power
quality could be pretty poor.

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/17-364-017-03.jpg
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/17-364-017-06.jpg

The "clone mode solution" described above, is suitable for
*one* user to run from room to room, and have the ability
to do work from either location (same document still open on
screen for edits etc). Only the Jetway solution supports *two*
users, in a more independent mode of operation, running from
the same computer box. I have not read of any accounts of
other companies offering the Jetway "twin" concept.

Paul

 

[exec]

Jetway used to make a "dual user" PC. The idea here, is two
users are logged into the same computer, each has their own
keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The video card has two video
connectors, and one "channel" is given to each user. I'm not
sure Jetway does these boxes any more or not. I cannot find
mention of "twin" on their site now.

http://www.engadget.com/2004/04/17/...www.jetway..com.tw/jw/news_show.asp?newsid=64

You are more likely to operate an ordinary PC in "clone mode",
with the two monitors displaying the same content. A video card
with two connectors can be placed in clone mode, but the monitors
should ideally be the same with respect to native resolution.
A 30 foot run of video cable, could degrade VGA signal quality,
so 1920x1200 resolution might be pretty fuzzy. Similarly,
DVI or HDMI have some cable limits, and you can search
for reports on what cables worked there, and at what
resolution choices.

     Monitor1 ---------|___ video card
     Monitor2 ---------|

You can run a USB extension to the other office, and a USB
hub placed there, for a USB keyboard and mouse. Keyboard
and mouse input from either keyboard and mouse should work.
The only thing that might not work, is the remote office
worker may not be able to change the BIOS settings. It
could be that only the local USB keyboard can fix BIOS
settings.

To extend a USB connection, there are active cables like
this. You can use no more than 5 of these, plus a length
of USB cable off the last one. So 5*5 meters plus 5 meters,
for a total of 30 meters. When buying these products, read
the reviews carefully - some active repeater cables don't
seem to work right when cascaded, which is the whole reason
for their existence! What an active cable consists of, is
5 meters of wire, plus a "1 port hub". So there is a chip
inside the blob at the end of the cable, and it is
following normal USB protocol and functions as a USB
hub. That is how it is regenerating the signal, and
also why the cable is limited to 5 meters per stretch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16812224004

With your stated objective of 30 feet, I would use

      Computer ---- 2*active_cable---self_powered_hub ---- keyboard
                    <---30 feet-->                    ---- mouse
                                                      ---- other_usb_dev
                                                      ---- other_usb_dev

By a self powered USB hub, I'm referring to one that comes
with its own power adapter. The power adapter can provide
power to high power local USB devices. You can see such an adapter
bundled with this USB hub. Otherwise, if power for USB
devices comes down the 30 feet of cable, the power
quality could be pretty poor.

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIm...om/NeweggImage/productimage/17-364-017-06.jpg

The "clone mode solution" described above, is suitable for
*one* user to run from room to room, and have the ability
to do work from either location (same document still open on
screen for edits etc). Only the Jetway solution supports *two*
users, in a more independent mode of operation, running from
the same computer box. I have not read of any accounts of
other companies offering the Jetway "twin" concept.

    Paul- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Paul,

That is a great explanation! Thanks. And it is just what I want. 2
monitors in clone mode, and just being able to access the same PC from
2 different locations. They will NOT be running seperate
applications, only the same one.

So, if I understand you correctly, I'll get a USB hub, to do the work
for me. The only question I have is are BOTH keyboards and BOTH mice
going into the hub? I would think I need 2 hubs, one for the mouse
and one for the keyboard, unless I run both mouse and keyboard into
the hub, and then have the keyboard and mouse go back to the
computer? So, a 8 port hub.....

C1 --- keyboard1 (usb cable) -----> HUB (usb cable) <----
keyboard2 ---- C2
--- mouse1 (usb cable)------> (usb cable) < ---
mouse2
keyboard/mouse1 <--- ---> keyboard/mouse2 --> C2

Correct??

 

[Paul]

Paul,

That is a great explanation! Thanks. And it is just what I want. 2
monitors in clone mode, and just being able to access the same PC from
2 different locations. They will NOT be running seperate
applications, only the same one.

So, if I understand you correctly, I'll get a USB hub, to do the work
for me. The only question I have is are BOTH keyboards and BOTH mice
going into the hub? I would think I need 2 hubs, one for the mouse
and one for the keyboard, unless I run both mouse and keyboard into
the hub, and then have the keyboard and mouse go back to the
computer? So, a 8 port hub.....

C1 --- keyboard1 (usb cable) -----> HUB (usb cable) <----
keyboard2 ---- C2
--- mouse1 (usb cable)------> (usb cable) < ---
mouse2
keyboard/mouse1 <--- ---> keyboard/mouse2 --> C2

Correct??

I'll assume the PC has a couple "double stack" USB
connectors on the back. Like this. If the PC doesn't have
enough USB ports, and the PC does have a spare empty PCI
card slot, you can purchase a USB2 PCI card and plug that
into the computer, to add more USB ports for expansion.
Your "local" keyboard and mouse can plug directly into
the computer, and the "remote" extension cable will
need one of the USB ports (Port3 in my diagram).
The "Self Powered Hub" provides more USB jacks
in the remote room.

USB USB USB
Keyboard ------> Port1 Port3 <--active_cable---active_cable---Self ----- Keyboard
Powered -- Mouse
USB USB Hub
Mouse ---------> Port2 Port4

(Local interface (remote
to computer) interface)

Just for fun, I currently have a PS/2 keyboard and mouse on
my computer. (Those would be my "local" keyboard and mouse.)
I plugged in an additional USB keyboard and USB mouse. Both
keyboards can type, and both mice drive the cursor around
the screen. I don't have enough hardware to test more USB
keyboards and mice though. I guess even more of them would
work if plugged in.

Paul

 

[M.I.5¾]

Hi,

We have 1 PC with 2 cloned monitors. The monitors are in seperate
offices, about 30 feet apart. What we need to do is to be able to
have each monitor have it's own keyboard & mouse to control the
screen. We are running XP.

My questions are:

1) Can you do thing with Windows configuration, or some type of
inexpensive software or hardware.

2) Since the monitors are cloned, I assume that what happens on one
happens on the other.

3) If we wanted 2 seperate monitors on the same PC, what is involved
in that?

If I could get some help, it would really be appreciated.

If the monitors are cloned, you cannot have separate keyboards and mice each
controlling its own monitor. Whatever you do will appear on both monitors.
You can connect two keyboards and two mice, but you need to be aware that
two people using them at the same time can be a frustrating exercise.

If you wish to have 2 separate monitors with individual displays each
controlled by a keyboard/mouse combination, then you require 2 PCs. If you
wish to share information between them then they will require a network card
each as well.

 

[smlunatick]

If the monitors are cloned, you cannot have separate keyboards and mice each
controlling its own monitor.  Whatever you do will appear on both monitors.
You can connect two keyboards and two mice, but you need to be aware that
two people using them at the same time can be a frustrating exercise.

If you wish to have 2 separate monitors with individual displays each
controlled by a keyboard/mouse combination, then you require 2 PCs.  Ifyou
wish to share information between them then they will require a network card
each as well.

I remember a few years ago a specialised product which allowed to to
"convert" a standard PC into a "dual" PC. This was an add-on card
which was a separate processor system (CPU, Video, keyboard & mouse)
which allowed you to shared the "common" hard drive.