Will all-in-one desktop work with KVM Switch?
Before I spend the $$, would a small KVM switch (like this one) work with an all-in-one unit desktop (like this one)?
I need to set up a secondary "headless" desktop tower to use as a test box, but am using the above-noted HP all-in-one as my primary desktop, with a second (extended desktop) monitor. I'd like to just use a standard KVM setup to switch back and forth between the primary all-in-one and the test box but am not sure if this might work since my primary desktop will not be able to switch video (as it is "its own" video source).
I need to set up a secondary "headless" desktop tower to use as a test box, but am using the above-noted HP all-in-one as my primary desktop, with a second (extended desktop) monitor. I'd like to just use a standard KVM setup to switch back and forth between the primary all-in-one and the test box but am not sure if this might work since my primary desktop will not be able to switch video (as it is "its own" video source).
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Scott C
Correct....you'll be able to share the keyboard and mouse but not the video on the AIO just as I can't share the video on my laptop.
ASKER
Scott, thanks - that's what I was hoping. Just wanted to confirm before I spent employer $$ !
Lee - I do have a second monitor, was hoping that would work, just wanted to confirm. (Part of what I'm testing is connectivity, so was hoping to have physical connection to test box; remote desktop might not be a good testing platform for what I'm working on.)
Thanks!
Lee - I do have a second monitor, was hoping that would work, just wanted to confirm. (Part of what I'm testing is connectivity, so was hoping to have physical connection to test box; remote desktop might not be a good testing platform for what I'm working on.)
Thanks!
Also look at this solved EE thread on the same subject
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29107107/KVM-Switch-two-computers-one-keyboard-mouse-monitor.html
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29107107/KVM-Switch-two-computers-one-keyboard-mouse-monitor.html
Just remembered this little gem...https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35460
As long as the machines are all on the same network you may find it useful.
As long as the machines are all on the same network you may find it useful.
No it will not work. Some all-in-ones are monitors with PCs stuck on the back, others are laptops on sticks (obviously wrapped in plastic shells to make them look pretty). That one is a laptop on a stick, you cannot break into the video that goes from the system board to the display to insert your KVM and conversely you cannot use the display on that as a dumb display for your PC.
Sorry to post after the question was closed but the accepted answer didn't look to be correct.
ASKER
I think there might be some confusion here - I'm not trying to use the all-in-one unit as the KVM "switchable" monitor. I have a secondary monitor already set up (as an expanded desktop) connected to the all-in-one. I want to use this secondary monitor as the "switchable" monitor, to switch between the expanded desktop (for the all-in-one) and the separate "headless" test box I'm setting up. The all-in-one would display itself (as it has to) but the secondary monitor would be the one that switches back and forth (with the KVM). The goal, as with all KVM setups, is to avoid having 2 keyboard/mouse setups (and in my case, a third monitor) on my desk.
Scott C's initial response was exactly what I was already thinking, but I wanted to hear the idea from another source before I spent employer $$ on a KVM.
Scott C's initial response was exactly what I was already thinking, but I wanted to hear the idea from another source before I spent employer $$ on a KVM.
So the HP AIO isn't actually part of the question?
ASKER
The HP AIO is my primary desktop. I have a second monitor connected to it as an expanded desktop. I need to set up a "headless" tower PC as a test box. I want to use a KVM (with video connected to the secondary monitor) to sit between the AIO and the "headless" test box, so that I can use my existing keyb/mouse setup for both the AIO and the test box, but use the secondary monitor (currently connected to the AIO) as the "switchable" monitor (allowing me to interact with the test box).
My question arose when I realized I was going to have to connect the KVM keyb/mouse to the AIO USB interface and the "headless" test box USB interface, but have the KVM video connections run to the secondary monitor. Wasn't sure how the AIO would behave with a setup like this.
My question arose when I realized I was going to have to connect the KVM keyb/mouse to the AIO USB interface and the "headless" test box USB interface, but have the KVM video connections run to the secondary monitor. Wasn't sure how the AIO would behave with a setup like this.