Two keyboards, one computer?

[labecs]

It's the first time I've had to consider this, but I need to have two keyboards connected to the computer. I need one for certain jobs and another one for others. Is it possible? Does Win 7 have a setting that would allow 2 keyboards at the same time?

 

[zigzag3143]

It's the first time I've had to consider this, but I need to have two keyboards connected to the computer. I need one for certain jobs and another one for others. Is it possible? Does Win 7 have a setting that would allow 2 keyboards at the same time?

doubt it could you tell us more about the apps you need to use different keyboards?

Thanks

Ken J

 

[Parker]

I would of thought it's just like having a 2 mice (or mouses? I dunno ) plugged in where you can use both at same time.

 

[DocBrown]

2 way Keyboard switch box

 

[zigzag3143]

I would of thought it's just like having a 2 mice (or mouses? I dunno ) plugged in where you can use both at same time.

Parker you may be right. I was thinking about it after I posted. If there are two seperate drivers, keyboards, etc.

Might work I should have thought it thru.

Ken J

 

[Kencelot]

I would say yes, but only one can be used at a time.

While I was struggling to fix my Saitek Gamers keyboard (USB) with Win 7, I also had a Logitech (PS2) plugged in. After fixing the Saitek one, I kept the other plugged in for just-in-case.

 

[labecs]

Yeah, it sounds strange, but I need to us a keyboard with special characters for some jobs, but I didn't want to have to be switching all the time. I tried to plug them in together, but the new one won't work while the other one is plugged in. Oh, well, I'll work harder and switch them around I guess.

 

[carioca]

I found that two keyboards work just fine, and you can switch from one to the other at will!

This is how I found out: my Targus USB hub with all the Logitech kbd and mouse dongles failed the other day. I attached a PS2 keyboard and mouse to get the dual-boot PC start on the right foot, as it were... After finding what the problem was, I stuck thye Bluetooth/wireless dongles into the ports on the machine itself, and did not initially remove the PS/2 cables.

I was then able to use either keyboard and mouse at will, even to the point of using the PS/2 keyboard and the wireless mouse, and vice-versa... Obviously, they have different drivers!

Cheers,

LMH

 

[DIYSam]

2 keyboards, 1 computer?

Although the above posts were written 4 years ago, carioca's seems to be exactly what I was searching for. I have a wired keyboard and mouse connected to my desktop pc, and the pc connected (wired) to an HDTV about 20 feet away. The TV has inputs specifically to connect a pc and recognizes the PC in its menu of connected devices, essentially turning the HDTV into a second/clone monitor. However, it's inconvenient to have to go back to the keyboard to navigate using the pc monitor when viewing on the TV. I would like to connect a second wireless keyboard that could be used while sitting closer to the TV while the wired keyboard is also active/functional at the pc. I am looking closely at the SMK-Link Wireless Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard (Wireless keyboard | Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard | PC & Mac | SMK-Link). I've also researched full-size wireless keyboards with touchpads but have not found one that gets good reviews on distance/range like this one does.

Is carioca's experience the exception to the rule, or can I spend the money on this wireless keyboard with confidence that the setup should work? If there's anything in the Windows 7 programming that would cause the simultaneous connection of 2 keyboards to result in a hardware/device conflict I would think it wouldn't have worked for carioca...

If anyone has learned more about this in the last 4 years since the prevous posts, I'd very much appreciate hearing about it.

 

[Comp Cmndo]

Laptops all have fixed keyboards & adding a wireless keyboard works; both keyboards remain active. No different for a desktop.

 

[DIYSam]

2 keyboards, 1 computer?

I didn't think Windows would count an integrated latop keyboard as a separate device, as it does the keyboard and mouse on a desktop pc. I'm hoping this works, because I just gave in and ordered the SMK-Link. I'll post results when it arrives.

 

[AddRAM]

A PS2 keyboard, a usb keyboard and a wireless usb keyboard all work on 1 pc.

 

[DIYSam]

Well, I'm thrilled to confirm that everyone who said it would be no problem was correct. The little SMK-Link Wireless Ultra Mini Keyboard does exactly what I needed. I was a little thrown by how small it is (I know, with "ultra Mini" in the name...) - it looked larger in the photos where it's being held by adult hands, yet when I hold it, it does look the same as the photos. I guess I wish it was about 25-30% larger, but I have no complaints. It has a complete keyboard, the touchpad works, the mouse click buttons work, it just takes getting used to. Thank you to all for the input.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Now that is one cute little keyboard. It looks like it would be ideal for when I'm reading e-books using my TV. I like that it uses AAs instead of having to recharge an internal battery (it only takes a few seconds to swap out AAs and charge the depleted ones at my convenience). I found it on Newegg but it's hard to tell some things from the picture and description. Are the keys backlit? Can one control audio volume with it (it looks like it can with the left round button thingy)? If so, I'll probably be all over it like stink on skunk.

 

[DIYSam]

It does. I have attached the best-resolution pic I could find. Directly below the round control to the right of the touchpad are three buttons. The one on the left is the mute button (a tiny speaker in a circle with a diagonal line through it), the center one is volume- and the one on the right is volume+. IN addition to the batteries, what I find particularly helpful is that it works on radio frequency instead of infra-red, so line of sight from the keyboard to the transmitter (a little USB stick the size of a small flash drive that works when plugged into ANY available USB port) is not necessary. On the mfg website, it retails for $69.99. I bought it on amazon from a high-rated seller for $53.99 with free super-saver shipping because it was over $50. The most amazing thing was the free shipping. I purchased it on May 29th, and delivery was expected to be between June 4-8. It was on my doorstep the next morning.

 

[DIYSam]

I just noticed something about the photo I should have seen before... the pic shows the volume buttons as speaker pictures, but I'm guessing that was an older model. The buttons on mine actually say Vol- and Vol+ so it couldn't be clearer. It comes with a little User's Manual booklet that identifies the picture on each button, much like an automobile owner's manual identifies all the little graphics that light up on the dashboard. For instance, on the control wheel to the right of the touchpad, the icon at the bottom of the ring is a little envelope. Its function is Email, and it launches the/your default email program. It appears to have all the functions of a full-sized digital media keyboard. You can see the booklet/guide at Wireless keyboard | Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard | PC & Mac | SMK-Link - click on the Users Guide link under Support on the lower right side, and it will open the guide in PDF format. You can save it and study it if you like, to help in deciding if it's what you want.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Thanks for the detailed info! The only thing I don't like about this keyboard is the keys aren't backlit (mutter, mutter, mumble, mumble) but the only other mini keyboards I could find that were backlit didn't get as good of reviews as this one and they used lithium-ion batteries that had to be charged in the keyboard with a USB cable. The LI batteries were also prone to failure and I couldn't find any replacement batteries listed. That's why I prefer devices using AAs (or AAAs). I use Sanyo Eneloops and just swap them out when they go dead, then recharge them at my convenience. The Eneloops hold most of their charge for a year, unlike the earlier NiMHs which would self discharge in a month. I've been using Eneloops for several years and have yet to have one go bad on me.

I'm going to sleep on this a bit but it looks like this little guy should pretty much meet my needs.