How to Use a Laptop for a Monitor by KVM Switch
If you need a second monitor to expand the amount of available desktop space on your computer, you can use your laptop computer as a second monitor by installing a software KVM switch. A software KVM switch is a piece of software designed to give you control of multiple computers with a single keyboard and mouse. Some software KVM switches are free to download and use; others must be purchased before you can use them.
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Instructions
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Connect your laptop computer and your desktop computer to the same Local Area Network (LAN). Software KVM switches work by sending signals through a network connection between your desktop computer (the "server") and your laptop computer (the "client"). Both computers need to be on the same network for a software KVM to work.
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Download and install a software KVM switch onto your desktop and laptop computer. If your software KVM download comes with two packages, install the "server" package on your desktop computer and install the "client" package on your laptop computer.
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Run the KVM application on your desktop computer. Configure your desktop as the primary computer and arrange the screen set-up so that your mouse will pass across the two screens on the edge between the laptop screen and the desktop monitor.
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Run the KVM application on your laptop computer. Configure your laptop as the secondary, or client, computer. Some software KVM switches require you to set up your computer screen arrangement on both the server and client computers; others only require you to set up your computer screen arrangement on the server computer.
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Run the KVM server by pushing the "Run Server" button in the KVM application. The KVM server needs to be running before you attempt to connect the client to it.
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Run the KVM client by pushing the "Connect to Server" button in the KVM application. The client will attempt to connect to the server.
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Test your set-up by moving your mouse back and forth between your two screens. If the mouse does not pass from one screen to the other, or if it passes in the wrong spot, disconnect the client, reconfigure your settings and try again.
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Tips & Warnings
If your client computer cannot connect to the server, you may need to adjust firewall settings on one or both computers.
References
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