Monitors

[mjatas]

hello there guys! I am new to this forum, even though I visted PC Mechanic for many years now. Just wanna say I am so glad you guys put together this forum and PC Mechanic website. Anyways, I need a monitor for my 2nd PC Athlon 64 1800+

However I am not willing to spend a lot of money on a new monitor up to $100 (Canadian $$) or even get a free monitor from anywhere that has at least 1024x768 resolution and at least 16 bit colour.

I am willing to take a 15, 17 or 19" SVGA monitor in almost any condition, but it has to work and have normal colour and no multi-colour. I mean the pins at the back must not be broken or bent.

I need almost any type of monitor, but something that actually works. What do you guys recommend me do? I have very little space in my place for a 2nd monitor but need another one. I already have an IBM G72 17" monitor for my P4 computer.

Please suggest something for me please.
Again thanks for the site and forum. Nice! I will come back from time to time.
mjatas@yahoo.ca
PS. By the way I live in Toronto, Canada

[glc]

If the 2 computers are next to each other and you will only be using one at a time, what about a KVM switch?

[mjatas]

I will be using 2 at a time.

[mjatas]

Is it possible to use 1 monitor for 2 PC's or even 3 and see all the PC's on the same screen at the same time?

[glc]

Only if you use VNC.

http://www.realvnc.com/download.html

A KVM is not difficult to use - with the Linksys I use, all I do is hit scroll lock twice and it switches. What I meant to get across is you can use a KVM as long as you aren't going to have 2 people using 2 computers at the same time - one on each computer. If you are going to be running them both yourself, a KVM works great.

[mjatas]

okay I will try, if I have problems I will ask.

[mjatas]

Only if you use VNC.

http://www.realvnc.com/download.html

A KVM is not difficult to use - with the Linksys I use, all I do is hit scroll lock twice and it switches. What I meant to get across is you can use a KVM as long as you aren't going to have 2 people using 2 computers at the same time - one on each computer. If you are going to be running them both yourself, a KVM works great.

yes I have a problem I have 2 towers and my IBM G72 monitor is hooked up to my good AMD sytem, but how to hook it up with that program to my other tower?

[glc]

Program or KVM switch? The VNC program is a remote control application, used across a network. The KVM switch is used to run 2 computers with one keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

[mjatas]

Program or KVM switch? The VNC program is a remote control application, used across a network. The KVM switch is used to run 2 computers with one keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Is it worth to buy a KVM switch or buy another monitor?

[glc]

That's your choice.

[mjatas]

Ok, so how exactly does the KVM switch work and how does it work in conjuction with the software? And what softwares are good to use with a KVM switch? I know someone told me about Real VNC software on this forum, I installed it, however Microsoft AntiSpyware told me it was spyware so I got rid of it.

And where to buy the KVM switch and is it worth to buy it rather than a 2nd monitor?

THANKS GUYS!!!

[glc]

A KVM switch has nothing to do with software. You plug one keyboard, one mouse, and one monitor into it. You then plug the cables from it (keyboard, mouse, monitor) into 2 computers. You use a hotkey sequence on the keyboard or a button on the switch to switch keyboard, mouse, and monitor from one computer to the other.

VNC software is remote control software, and it is not spyware. It can be a security risk over the Internet though because it requires open ports. You use it either across a local network or across the Internet to open the remote computer's desktop in a window on the other computer so you can control it that way.

[mjatas]

A KVM switch has nothing to do with software. You plug one keyboard, one mouse, and one monitor into it. You then plug the cables from it (keyboard, mouse, monitor) into 2 computers. You use a hotkey sequence on the keyboard or a button on the switch to switch keyboard, mouse, and monitor from one computer to the other.

VNC software is remote control software, and it is not spyware. It can be a security risk over the Internet though because it requires open ports. You use it either across a local network or across the Internet to open the remote computer's desktop in a window on the other computer so you can control it that way.

so I do not need the VNC software, just the KVM switch? And where can I buy a KVM switch from (Canadian site or store here)?

[glc]

You need either/or, not both.

KVM switch:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=10413&vpn=NETK205I&manufacture=Trendware%20International