Dual Computer, Dual Monitor, Dual Dual

This is a guide for people who might have similar setups involving two computers and two monitors (and maybe a KVM switch or two). There are four setup methods (if you know of more, please share in the comments below) to achieving two, fully dual screen computers with side-by-side monitors. The huge upside to having a setup like this is that you can have the luxury of two computers, both dual screen capable. At the same time, it makes both computers accessible on their own (one on each monitor). With a few button presses and no cable reconfiguring, you can turn a setup that might need up to four monitors into one that utilizes only two monitors and KVM switches. Here are the four methods that I know of:

*Requirement: Both computers need dual video output supported video cards

1. You have two monitors with multiple inputs (HDMI, VGA, DVI, SVID, etc):
   • Plug in one output from monitor 1 and connect to computer 1.
   • Plug in one output from monitor 1 and connect to computer 2.
   • Plug in one output from monitor 2 and connect to computer 1.
   • Plug in one output from monitor 2 and connect to computer 2.
2. You have one monitor with multiple inputs (HDMI, VGA, DVI, SVID, etc), a monitor with only one input and a KVM switch:
   • For KVM switch:
     • Plug one input into computer 1.
     • Plug one input into computer 2.
     • Plug the output to monitor 1.
   • For monitor:
     • Plug one input into computer 1.
     • Plug one input to computer 2.
3. You have two monitors with solo inputs and two KVM switches:
   • For KVM switches:
     • Plug one input from KVM 1 into computer 1.
     • Plug one input from KVM 1 into computer 2.
     • Plug one input from KVM 2 into computer 1.
     • Plug one input from KVM 2 into computer 2.
   • For monitors:
     • Plug the output from KVM 1 into monitor 1.
     • Plug the output from KVM 2 into monitor 2.
4. You have two monitors with solo inputs and a KVM switch with 2-port dual monitor support or higher [view photo in Exhibit A for reference]:
   • For KVM switch:
     • Plug both inputs for Computer 1 to computer 1.
     • Plug both inputs for Computer 2 to computer 2.
   • For monitors:
     • Plug one input from monitor 1 into the KVM switch slot for monitor A.
     • Plug one input from monitor 2 into the KVM switch slot for monitor B.

Exhibit A:

Linkskey LDV-DM712AUSK Dual Monitor DVI/VGA KVM Switch

I used method #2 because I had old, spare parts. A few VGA-to-DVI converters wouldn’t hurt either, you will be plugging in 4 video cables to computers and are bound to need some.

Watch the video below to see how it’s accomplished: