Connecting two separate desktop PC's to a single dual monitor setup.

[OverDose]

Hi,

I have always had custom built machines, and in the past I have always had the same desktop PC dual booting into two different versions Windows OS, for two different uses.

However after a recent HDD crash, on one of the system drives, which has been sent for recovery, I have decided to built two separate desktop PC's, and run each of the functions on each of the machines.

So up until this point all is well, and I am busy with my specification for my second PC, before I get ordering.

Where I am not sure if I am painting myself into a corner is with my LCD monitor setup. I currently have 2 x 24" SAMSUNG monitors, that I have been using for the previous build, and the first of my new builds. That setup works for the gaming and also for the music recording that I do. I am not particularly displeased with the monitors, or interested in selling to buy anything different.

So my question is, when I do eventually end up finishing the second PC build (for music recording), is there a way that both PC towers can be connected to the same dual monitor set up? I would obviously not be using both machines at the same time, however their functions need them to be separate machines, also given the fact that I have developed a negative attitude towards dual booting now, because of my recent experience with my one HDD crashing.

Any assistance or advice will be appreciated.

 

[AddRAM]

As long as the monitors have multiple connections you`ll be fine.

But then you can`t use both PC`s at the same time.

I would just hook a monitor to each pc, if that`s what you ever need to do

 

[logicearth]

KVM Switch. KVM switch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[DavidE]

also given the fact that I have developed a negative attitude towards dual booting now, because of my recent experience with my one HDD crashing.

A HD failure can happen on any single-boot or multi-boot PC.
You should periodically create backup images on a different hard drive (or storage device) so you can restore/recover from a HD failure, or just about any catastrophe.
With backup images stored offline, recovery is usually possible.

I also save data on a different partition than the (OS+programs) partition, and back that up to an offline device. I have 2 multi-boot PC's, with 2-3 monitors. I use a KVM switch, but i don't know if there are any available with 2 monitor outputs. I switch the KVM button to change which PC is using the Keyboard, Mouse, and Monitor 1. I can then switch the input device on monitor 2 to select which PC is displayed.

 

[logicearth]

...but i don't know if there are any available with 2 monitor outputs....

They in fact do make KVMs switches that support multiple monitors.