single monitor/2 towers?

[geewhiz]

Hello, I'm planning on building a second computer and was wondering if there is a way to split the monitor input cable. That way I could use both towers at separate times, with a single monitor. I have a samsung 997 crt.

[pangea33]

A KVM (keyboard / video / mouse) switch is the ticket. These are simple little devices that have one connector for each of these peripherals, and 2 connectors that run to your computers. It will let you switch between the computers. Check here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=GO&Range=&Category=16&bop=and&InnerCata=143)

[Paul Komski]

You need a KVM (KeyboardVideoMouse) switch. Search retailers and google but for example it would be something like:-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107128

[geewhiz]

Just what I was looking for! It was probably a simple question for you guys to answer, but a major one for me. I mean, I don't think you can google a vague description of something you need. [yet].

[saphalline]

Yeah, most of being a "computer expert" is just knowing about what's out there. I still meet people all the time who only buy Dell's and HP's, so they're always amazed when I show them simple things like Linux GUI's and windowed cases w/lights. :p

Who would have thought those things existed, eh? ;)

[Paul Komski]

He He - a "vague description":-

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=share+monitor

Google never ceases to amaze. Had to leave out "two towers" because of all the references to 'Lord of the Rings'.

;)

[saphalline]

Ah Google... Cool stuff. Gotta learn how to use it, but Google is still awesome.

[geewhiz]

If you don't know how to use google, how can you know it's great stuff?

[pangea33]

saphalline gots mad Google. I think his post meant that Google gets a lot better once you learn some of the nuance. This most especially holds true with search criteria that can return a lot of noise.

Vive la Google

[saphalline]

If you don't know how to use google, how can you know it's great stuff?Haha! Yes, I guess that's true.

Years of Google searches has honed the skills of some of us. I use primarily Google simply because I know how to use it and I've never gotten better results with any other search engine. But like any tool, it takes practice to get good with it. And I don't always get what I want on the first search, either. Sometimes I have to mess around with just the right combination of key words.

For instance, let's say you're looking for a blue computer case. Just typing in "blue computer case" might not get you everything you want. But trying something like "colored ATX" will give you a much wider variety. You can then zoom in on specific key words common to the links which interest you most. Maybe add the word "case" back in there, or even "shop". I suppose at that point, knowing how websites are designed is also beneficial. Meta tags, headers, CSS - it helps to be at least familiar with the internet in general...