Unsolved
1 Message
0
551
November 23rd, 2022 01:00
Controlling 2 desktops at the same time
Hi everyone,
I have an Inspiron 7700 AIO that I use with a second monitor. I also have a work laptop from which I extend the desktop to the Inspiron AIO and use the little button on the bottom of the AIO to switch between the laptop and the AIO.
I also have 2 mice - one for the laptop and one for the AIO.
When I'm using my AIO (with desktop extended to the spare monitor), I can still control the mouse & keyboard on my laptop. However, I'm using my laptop (with the desktop extended to the AIO), I can see the AIO on the spare monitor but I can't control the mouse on the AIO.
Does anyone know if this is possible?
Thanks in advance
0 events found
No Events found!
redxps630
11 Legend
•
15.6K Posts
•
80.8K Points
0
November 23rd, 2022 08:00
I do not think you can use the AIO simultaneously as a pc (which projects to spare monitor) and external passive monitor (which displays video from laptop). You are correct to use a switch on AIO to toggle between the two modes. Therefore, if you project laptop screen on AIO (by switching AIO to display mode), the AIO can not be used as a pc to project to spare monitor. It is not a video pass through device. It has hdmi in and hdmi out, but only one works at a time.
RoHe
12 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
•
172.6K Points
0
November 23rd, 2022 12:00
Would a KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) switch be able to do what you want?
NJDave
2 Intern
•
406 Posts
0
November 23rd, 2022 20:00
Riffing off of @RoHe 's comment... I suppose you could have a KVM switch connect your keyboard, your mouse, and your "spare" monitor alternately to your AIO and your laptop. I've never connected one in this way, so I don't know what configuration strangeness might ensue, but that's something you could try. Still, in this configuration the "spare" monitor displays the output from only one system at any time.
I found this page with advice and solutions for sharing your keyboard and mouse between multiple systems for "free or cheap". I take no responsibility for these suggestions! -- I just thought they might get you closer to what you're looking for.
Tesla1856
10 Wizard
•
17.6K Posts
•
70.2K Points
0
November 24th, 2022 22:00
It would probably be easier the extend the 7700-AIO to the second monitor, and
extend the laptop to the second monitor (run the cable to a different Input).
Sometimes, you can even set the second-monitor to "auto detect Input" and it will automatically switch between the two real computers (depending on which one is on) without pressing any buttons on the front. Just let it power-down and sleep when neither real computer is on.
Arrange the Extend Options on each real-computer so that the left/right orientation is correct for your layout on the desk. Ideally, the second monitor would be in the middle.