VGA Cables (2 PCs sharing 1 Monitor) - Resolution Issue

2014-05-13 16:55:47

Hi all,

I've struggled to get any definitive answers via Google, so I'm hoping someone here has some experience with a similar issue.

Very simply I have 2 PCs, different GPUs, but both running Win 7 x64, and one Monitor (VGA only -- Samsung SyncMaster S19A200).
I want to share this monitor between the 2 PCs, with only one being on at any given time.

So far, unless the VGA cable is plugged in directly into the monitor Windows doesn't recognise the monitor and its native resolution (1440 x 900) and decides on a lower, sub par resolution.

Ideally, what I want is something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guilty-Gadgets-Mon...ds=vga+splitter
... with both GPU outbound VGA cables always plugged in. However, from what I've read, I'm going to have the same problem of Windows not recognising the monitor and losing the, non-standard 1440 x 900 resolution. I'm trying to avoid trial and error, buying and returning, buying and returning (as it seems this is a very hit and miss area).

2 Questions:
1) Anyone know a tried and trusted solution to this (without shelling out a big sum of money for a trivial task), and
2) Do I want a splitter, a KVM, or a VGA switch box?

Here's some of the stuff I've failed to get definitive answers on:
Splitters:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guilty-Gadgets-Mon...ds=vga+splitter
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Euronetwork-VGA-sp...ds=vga+splitter
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Valueline-Cable-Sp...cm_cr_pr_sims_t
Switchbox:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-VGA-SVGA-Switc...ga+switch+2+way

KVMs seem very hit and miss:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0...kvm%2Caps%2C229

Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

C.

VGA Cables (2 PCs sharing 1 Monitor) - Resolution Issue

Reply #1 – 2014-05-13 18:27:46

A KVM is very likely the route you want to go down.  Unfortunately, I don't have any direct experience with any particular KVMs to know what's good and what's bad.

Basically, a good KVM will emulate the relevant display details to your computers.  The task you want sounds trivial, but it really isn't since the graphics adapter controls the communication, including the clock/synchronization signals.

VGA Cables (2 PCs sharing 1 Monitor) - Resolution Issue

Reply #2 – 2014-05-14 04:30:27

I used D-Link's DKVM-4K for some time. I had three computers connected, having two different operating systems and their GPUs supported different resolutions.

I didn't experience any problems. The correct resolution was always chosen by the KVM switch, whether I used only one PC or two or all three of them at the same time.

This solution wasn't as low priced as what I would have had to pay for a simple VGA Switch Box, but I had not regret my decision.

If you are interested, here is an overview with D-Link's current KVM switches.

VGA Cables (2 PCs sharing 1 Monitor) - Resolution Issue

Reply #3 – 2014-05-14 22:23:37

Okay, thank you both for the info.
Perhaps a KVM will be required. I think I'll try a VGA switch and if that doesn't work I'll take your advice and get a KVM. It seems from what you've both said that the simple splitter route won't be adequate.

Thanks again.

C.