1 desktop, 1 laptop, 1 docking station, 2 monitors, no kvm

[javanoob17]

Hello Everyone,

I need some help. I was wondering if this is possible without any type of software and without a kvm. I do not mind working with additional hardware. I have two monitors and one of them supports vga and the other is dvi and vga. The desktop supports dvi and vga. the laptop (which is my wifes work laptop) is connected to a docking station that support dvi and vga. How do i get both displays to work on both the laptop and desktop without a kvm? any suggestions? she cannot put additional software to make it compatible.

KVMs are quite expensive especially for dual monitor setup. I am trying to get bypass working with a kvm.

Thanks,
JC

 

[boosted1g]

Is the desktop or laptop DVI port a DVI-I?

If so then use DVI-VGA adapter on it, get $20 VGA KVM. and connect that to VGA output of desktop/laptop to vga only monitor
Then use adapted VGA and DVI to other monitor.
You will then need to toggle both the KVM for the VGA only monitor AND the input selection (DVI to VGA) on the combo monitor.

If you do not have DVI-I then you will need both a DVI switch and a KVM VGA Switch

 

[javanoob17]

Boosted1g

so you are saying i will need a vga kvm for one of the monitors, laptop, and desktop. Then i will need a vga to dvi adapter and dvi kvm for the monitor, laptop, and desktop so i can toggle between the devices ? Is this correct?

Thanks,
JC

 

[boosted1g]

No matter what a VGA style KVM is simple, cheap and effective for your VGA only monitor. Best experiences with IOGEAR brand over TRENDNET or most others.

If you can use the simple dvi-i to vga adapter then you dont need another kvm/switch device as you can just toggle the input (DVI to VGA) back and forth at the monitor.
If you can not then you will need a dvi switch (or HDMI switch and use DVI->HDMI cables).
The other otption would be to get a 2-DVI or DVI+HDMI monitor and connect the 2 DVI computer inputs that way

 

[javanoob17]

2x https://www.amazon.com/ieGeek-Switch-Monitor-Keyboard-Control/dp/B00KR39YMK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1487719064&sr=8-3&keywords=1+monitor+vga+kvm



2x https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882203021&cm_re=vga_to_dvi_adapter-_-82-203-021-_-Product

 

[javanoob17]

My only concern would be how would that work with the mouse and keyboard if i have two of them?

 

[boosted1g]

You can have 100 keyboards and mice connected to a comptuer and it will work, but why have 2 on the desk taking up space since you cant use both at the same time?

Dont go with the cheapest noname brand kvm you can find, results will probably not be in your favor:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817399032&cm_re=iogear_kvm-_-17-399-032-_-Product
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200911&cm_re=dvi-vga_adapter-_-12-200-911-_-Product

You only need one of each, not 2.
KVM for all native VGA connections; DVI to VGA adpater on say laptop docking station (assuming DVI-I) then connect that by VGA to other montior and the PC via DVI to same monitor.
You only need 2 if you would rather use a KVM button to switch vs the monitor's input button.

 

[boosted1g]

No, you dont need a usb hub.

The ONE keyboard and ONE mouse you should have on the desk plugs into the KVM. Then that KVM plugs into USB on both computers.

 

[javanoob17]

You can have 100 keyboards and mice connected to a comptuer and it will work, but why have 2 on the desk taking up space since you cant use both at the same time?

Dont go with the cheapest noname brand kvm you can find, results will probably not be in your favor:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817399032&cm_re=iogear_kvm-_-17-399-032-_-Product
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200911&cm_re=dvi-vga_adapter-_-12-200-911-_-Product

You only need one of each, not 2.
KVM for all native VGA connections; DVI to VGA adpater on say laptop docking station (assuming DVI-I) then connect that by VGA to other montior and the PC via DVI to same monitor.
You only need 2 if you would rather use a KVM button to switch vs the monitor's input button.

Sorry i am just not seeing it.

1. vga cable from the kvm will go into the docking station.
2. other vga cable from kvm will go into the desktop.
3. the adapter connected to the kvm will go into dvi that is connected to the monitor.

is this how i would set it up?

 

[javanoob17]

You can have 100 keyboards and mice connected to a comptuer and it will work, but why have 2 on the desk taking up space since you cant use both at the same time?

Dont go with the cheapest noname brand kvm you can find, results will probably not be in your favor:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817399032&cm_re=iogear_kvm-_-17-399-032-_-Product
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200911&cm_re=dvi-vga_adapter-_-12-200-911-_-Product

You only need one of each, not 2.
KVM for all native VGA connections; DVI to VGA adpater on say laptop docking station (assuming DVI-I) then connect that by VGA to other montior and the PC via DVI to same monitor.
You only need 2 if you would rather use a KVM button to switch vs the monitor's input button.

I do not get how the video is split to only one video port on the kvm.

 

[boosted1g]

There is no splitting, a KVM is a 2 in 1 out device. So it chooses from computer A or computer B.
You are grossly over-complicating this.

 

[boosted1g]

Then you toggle from laptop to desktop on monitor 1 via KVM, and toggle between laptop and desktop on monitor 2 via the input buttons on monitor 2

 

[javanoob17]

There is no splitting, a KVM is a 2 in 1 out device. So it chooses from computer A or computer B.
You are grossly over-complicating this.

Sorry about the confusion. Most of the kvms I have setup have 2 monitor input. The kvm you showed me had only one vga so I was wondering how I would run the other video. Thanks for the image showing me how I would run it.

 

[javanoob17]

Then you toggle from laptop to desktop on monitor 1 via KVM, and toggle between laptop and desktop on monitor 2 via the input buttons on monitor 2

Thanks for walking me through this!