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  • HOw to criss-cross two keyboards with 2 PCs.

    From micky@3:633/10 to All on Fri Oct 31 18:11:48 2025
    I asked about this a year or two ago. Now I think I've simplified my
    needs, and if there's an answer, it should be simpler.

    I have two computers, a desktop and a laptop with external keyboard (and mouse).

    The two keyboards sit one above/behind the other and the rear one is
    hard to reach and type on. (I've tried voice-to-text and it's good when
    it's good but has frequent problems.)

    I'd prefer a hardware solution, I think, but software is good too, so
    that I can switch KB-A to work with PC-B and at the same time switch
    KB-B to work with PC-A.

    (Normally KB-A will be with PC-A and KB-B will be with PC-B. I just
    want to criss-cross them sometimes. )


    My impression is that KVM switches make the keyboard, for example, work
    with the PC you choose, but don't do anything to make the PC you'v
    demoted work with the keyboard you don't like. And that I'd need some complicated arrangement of two KVM swithces to do what I want, unless
    someone has already done it.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From micky@3:633/10 to All on Sun Nov 2 10:58:22 2025
    In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Sun, 2 Nov 2025 22:56:59 +1100, Daniel70 <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:

    On 2/11/2025 10:36 pm, Daniel70 wrote:
    On 1/11/2025 9:11 am, micky wrote:
    I asked about this a year or two ago.? Now I think I've simplified my
    needs, and if there's an answer, it should be simpler.

    I have two computers, a desktop and a laptop with external keyboard (and >>> mouse).

    The two keyboards sit one above/behind the other and the rear one is
    hard to reach and type on. (I've tried voice-to-text and it's good when
    it's good but has frequent problems.)

    I'd prefer a hardware solution, I think, but software is good too, so
    that I can switch KB-A to work with PC-B and at the same time switch
    KB-B to work with PC-A.

    ?? (Normally KB-A will be with PC-A and KB-B will be with PC-B.? I just
    want to criss-cross them sometimes. )

    My impression is that KVM switches make the keyboard, for example, work
    with the PC you choose, but don't do anything to make the PC you'v
    demoted work with the keyboard you don't like.?? And that I'd need some
    complicated arrangement of two KVM swithces to do what I want, unless
    someone has already done it.

    I'm sure I've read about this problem/situation somewhere hereabouts in
    the last month or so and a solution was found .... even to being able to
    switch/connect THREE Keyboards/mouses to three computers .... I've had a
    bit of a look but was unable to locate that thread. Sorry.

    There you go!! The thread is titled "2 KBs for 2 PC's, , crsss switch,"
    and, as you are active *IN* that thread, I guess *YOU* already have your >answer.

    Thanks. LOL

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul@3:633/10 to All on Sun Nov 2 10:59:09 2025
    On Sun, 11/2/2025 6:56 AM, Daniel70 wrote:
    On 2/11/2025 10:36 pm, Daniel70 wrote:
    On 1/11/2025 9:11 am, micky wrote:
    I asked about this a year or two ago.ÿ Now I think I've simplified my
    needs, and if there's an answer, it should be simpler.

    I have two computers, a desktop and a laptop with external keyboard (and >>> mouse).

    The two keyboards sit one above/behind the other and the rear one is
    hard to reach and type on. (I've tried voice-to-text and it's good when
    it's good but has frequent problems.)

    I'd prefer a hardware solution, I think, but software is good too, so
    that I can switch KB-A to work with PC-B and at the same time switch
    KB-B to work with PC-A.

    ÿÿ (Normally KB-A will be with PC-A and KB-B will be with PC-B.ÿ I just
    want to criss-cross them sometimes. )

    My impression is that KVM switches make the keyboard, for example, work
    with the PC you choose, but don't do anything to make the PC you'v
    demoted work with the keyboard you don't like.ÿÿ And that I'd need some
    complicated arrangement of two KVM swithces to do what I want, unless
    someone has already done it.

    I'm sure I've read about this problem/situation somewhere hereabouts in the last month or so and a solution was found .... even to being able to switch/connect THREE Keyboards/mouses to three computers .... I've had a bit of a look but was unable to locate that thread. Sorry.

    There you go!! The thread is titled "2 KBs for 2 PC's, , crsss switch," and, as you are active *IN* that thread, I guess *YOU* already have your answer.

    It's probably easier to take a board and *nail* the keyboards
    side by side, so both can be seen :-)

    Paul

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Mr. Man-wai Chang@3:633/10 to All on Thu Nov 6 22:00:10 2025
    On 1/11/2025 6:11 am, micky wrote:

    My impression is that KVM switches make the keyboard, for example, work
    with the PC you choose, but don't do anything to make the PC you'v
    demoted work with the keyboard you don't like. And that I'd need some complicated arrangement of two KVM swithces to do what I want, unless
    someone has already done it.


    How far away are the two PCs from you? You might consider using wireless keyboards that support both 2.4G USB dongle and Bluetooth.

    --
    @~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
    / v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
    /( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
    ^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)