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    Can I share 1 monitor between 2 computers?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by heywheelie, May 17, 2013.

  1. heywheelie

    heywheelie Notebook Geek

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    I have a 3D ready 24" LED monitor connected to my desktop PC using the usual (I think) D-Sub cable. I also have an alienware M18xR2 laptop.

    Can I connect both the Desktop PC and Alienware laptop to the monitor at the same time?

    I plan to leave the desktop PC connected as it is and connect the laptop via HDMI cable.

    I do not intend to use both the desktop and laptop on the monitor at the same time even tho they will both be connected to the monitor. One will be always be off.

    If that is possible, can you tell me how I set the monitor up as my second monitor on the alienware laptop?

    cheers
     
    heywheelie, May 17, 2013
    #1
  2. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Just right click desktop, screen resolution, and activate the other monitor as your secondary.
     
    HTWingNut, May 17, 2013
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  3. heywheelie

    heywheelie Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for the info. So I can have both computers connected to the same monitor at the same time?

    Any idea what would happen if I turned both computers on while they were both connected to that monitor?
     
    heywheelie, May 17, 2013
    #3
  4. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Nothing would really 'happen' - you'll just see whatever computer on the large monitor that has been selected (or auto selected...) as the 'source'.

    The thing to look out for though is that on the notebook - it may still think there are two monitors still active - even if the external is viewing the desktop system.

    Again: nothing will 'happen' - just that in the case of the notebook - you may be able to move your mouse off the visible area of the notebook's screen...
     
    tilleroftheearth, May 17, 2013
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  5. heywheelie

    heywheelie Notebook Geek

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    great thanks for the info

    cheers
     
    heywheelie, May 18, 2013
    #5
  6. vaio.phil

    vaio.phil Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah it's safe. I do that often. The two computers are different inputs on the monitor.
     
    vaio.phil, May 18, 2013
    #6