2 Users 1 computer, vmware

[SquirrelTakos]

I was looking into how to make this happen and I am running into some problems. What I want to do is basically run my main OS on the first screen and maximize vmware with my other windows 7 os on the second screen. I have two sets of keyboards and two sets of mice, windows 7 is ready to roll on both my computer and my vmware, I just need to find a way to isolate the keyboard commands to just the vmware on the one set, and just my machine on my OS. From what I've looked up, this can be done. I have a decent amount of knowledge in vmware and computers, but I was hoping someone here could fill me in if they knew how to do this, because the only "walkthrough" I could find is for vmware 6.5 and vista, and I don't think it applies to what I'm doing on version 7.1. I need to be able to have two users on my computer at the same time, at my disposal.

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

What I would do here is in fact to use VMWARE SERVER (Free) where you can run your Virtual Machine as a Background Task - then a separate user without even having an account on the HOST machine CAN access the VM machine via something like RDP.

The 2nd / other user will still need a separate machine to use as a CLIENT .

There isn't any way to separate a standard PC so it can have concurrent users ON THE SAME PHYSICAL PC. (Servers of course have multiple concurrent users but these are accessed via CLIENT computers -- usually only one person can logon at a time to the actual PHYSICAL server).

(Even in old mainframe days with "Dumb" terminals the terminals were connected to a "Terminal cluster or controller". Users logged in to 3277 type terminals and the terminal controller handled Mainframe access).

Unless you can create something like a "Terminal Hardware controller" and write software for it the 2nd user will have to access the VM via a Client machine.

Redirecting output to different screens isn't a problem -- particularly if you have a graphics card with multiple outputs but on the keyboard you'll be stuck I'm afraid unless you develop your own software to intercept the key strokes and determine where you want to send the commands.

Cheers

jimbo

 

[SquirrelTakos]

Sorry for my extremely delayed reply, but while I agree that the way you are describing will in fact work. I really don't want to have another machine, or even thin client if not needed. I tracked down one walkthrough where someone did in fact get what I was describing to work.

[GUIDE]HOW TO: Two Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse/Users on One PC in Windows - techPowerUp! Forums

It's actually pretty simple, except in the part where I have to choose removable devices, usb devices don't even show up. Whether or not vmware removed that in the newest version, or I am doing something wrong, i don't know. But if anyone is still willing to work me through this I'd greatly appreciate it. Now that I know it is indeed possible, I feel like I have to get this working.