How to Connect Two Computers With One Keyboard & One Mouse
Users that desire to connect two or more separate workstations to a single mouse and keyboard can do so with the open source program referred to as Synergy. Synergy works for the Windows 95 and NT families, Mac OS X 10.2 and higher as well as Unix. Synergy allows users to link computers so actions such as sharing information via the clipboard is possible from one server to another without file transferring. Synergy is fairly straight forward to install for Windows users. Synergy requires a little more technical expertise to install in Mac and Unix based systems so it is recommended to consult the instructions through Source Forum for clarity.
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Things You'll Need
- TCP/IP Network
- Synergy program download
- Monitors for each computer to link.
Instructions
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Setting Up Synergy on Windows
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1
Make sure your computers are set up to run on the same TCP/IP network. Pick the keyboard and mouse you want to control the linked workstations with. This will become the "primary screen" that runs the synergy server. Any additional systems added will be "secondary screens" and run the client.
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2
Install the software that is appropriate for your computer's platform. Repeat the installation on all computers that will share the mouse and keyboard. Mac OS X users will download a folder you can place anywhere on your computer containing two programs and supporting files.
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3
Configure the server. Mac and Unix users skip to Section 2. For Windows users this will be guided with dialog boxes. Click the button labeled "Share this computer's keyboard and mouse" to begin configuration. Select the "Screens & Links Configure" button. Locate the "+" button to add main computer (server) by any names you wish to identify this server by in the future. Click "OK" to finish.
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4
Click the "+" button to add all other computers you want to link through Synergy. Customize the screen options that appear on the "Add Screen" dialog box.
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5
Locate the controls listed under "Links" to begin the link. Find the "Screens" list and click only once on the server's name. Choose the name of the screen to the left of the server (primary computer) if applicable. If there is no screen to the left enter "--- " and designate the screens to the right, above or below the server until all the screens are connected. Click "OK" to exit the "Screens and Links" dialog box.
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6
Customize the settings using the options menu as needed. Click on "Test" to have Synergy run a quick test between the linked server and its clients to check for any issues. If a dialog box appears with an error, consult the troubleshooting guide as needed.
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Tips & Warnings
If Synergy does not run correctly after testing check the troubleshooting guide on Source Forum to find out the cause of the error.
Be very specific when you are configuring your screens. Synergy won't assume because you said screen one was to the right of screen two that screen two is to the left of screen one. You will have to program every screen that you want to touch one another in both directions. If not your cursor will get stuck on one screen.
Another option can be to link the two screens through a KVM (keyboard , visual and mouse) switch but you will have to buy this and it doesn't seamlessly integrate the screens as does Synergy. You will have to physically hit a comand, button or switch to change desktops on a KVM. It is a similar option to those who connect via USB cables.
References
Resources
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