Question

Multiuser windows in 1 PC?

Asked by: FacuAdmin

Hello

I wonder if there is a software program that allows users to have 2 keyboards and 2 mouses plugged in a win98/xp/ computer so as to allow 1 of them to use an application and the other one to use another. I'm not talking of running games or stuff

I mean, I have dual screes (long horizontal desktop) and more than enough USB and serial ports to have at least 2 keybs and a mouse plugged in. The problem (I guess) is how to tell windows which application should answer to which keyboard. :)

I looked in the web and found out there was  a soft/hardware solution called SHAREWARED that would allow this in 2000. The company dissappeared but I wonder why nobody has taken up the idea.

Does anyone know a software solution for this?
thanks!

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Asked On
2003-06-19 at 10:56:13ID20653976
Tags

windows

,

pc

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
4
Points
50
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: pstew21Posted on 2003-06-19 at 14:56:14ID: 8761928

Virtual PC might be an option.  Connectix was recently bought by Microsoft.  Their product was originally for Macs, but now are available on the PC to run virtual OS's.

VMware would be another.  

However, sharing the same OS among 2 Keyboards, Video, mice, would be very difficult to accomplish.

 

by: FacuAdminPosted on 2003-06-19 at 23:02:41ID: 8764082

wait, no.

I know and have tried VirtualPC and VMWare. Nice software but it's not what I need (and is kinda slow for my pc). I don't need to boot 2 different OS at the same time. I just want windows to allow me to plug 2 mouses and 2 keyboards and recognize their input as different and get an application to answer to events from one of them and another application to answer to events from another. (The video issue is already solved with my nvidia and 2 monitors)

And then again, nor VirtualPC nor VMWare allow separate input devices for each emulated computer.

thanks anyway. I wonder why noone cares about this.
Are computers so cheap in the US that you can buy 2 just to have someone using one only a day a week, for example? My picture: my girlfriend spends the weekend over at my house and since we both have to study and write essays we both need my pc (I might need word, she might need excel) and we literally KILL each other for the pc and we are NOT gonna buy a second one just for the weekends (and she's not bringing her's from her home).

OK that's probably a question for the lounge. :) hehe

 

by: pr1923Posted on 2003-06-28 at 07:02:14ID: 8818859

You can get a kvm switch that would allow you to hook up 2 keyboards, 2 mice and 2 monitors to one computer but you can not use them at the same time.  So your only option is to purchase a second computer or share the one you have.

 

by: gemartiPosted on 2003-08-30 at 19:22:32ID: 9255874

 

by: CleanupPingPosted on 2003-10-02 at 04:53:01ID: 9475828

FacuAdmin:
This old question needs to be finalized -- accept an answer, split points, or get a refund.  For information on your options, please click here-> http:/help/closing.jsp#1
EXPERTS:
Post your closing recommendations!  No comment means you don't care.

 

by: gemartiPosted on 2003-10-02 at 05:44:57ID: 9476350

I provided a viable solution.

 

by: FacuAdminPosted on 2003-10-02 at 21:59:27ID: 9482436

wow you DID provide a viable solution... which I hadn't read. I wonder why I didn't get the experts-exchange email back in August.

gonna look for a way to grab hold of the getabuddy soft. THANKS!

 

by: gemartiPosted on 2003-10-03 at 14:31:21ID: 9488158

Thank you.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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