Advice please

[FreakOnA_Leash]

I am trying to hook up a older computer for my kids that has all their games on it and stuff so they don't mess up mine....again. Although I only have one desk where this computer needs to go. I kow their are these A-B switches that you can use so you can share the monitor with more than one computer. Can you share any other devices like that. Such as cable modem, printer, etc..

 

[DaveW]

get a router. Wont share your monitor but will everything esle mentioned.

 

[Bootay]

Keyboard/Video/Mouse switches are common-place, but doesn't sound like what you want if you're both going to be actively using the systems at the same time. If you are willing to swap seats (kid gets out of the way when you need to do something, you get out of their way), then it might work out. Instead, I'd just get my main machine upgraded and run Windows XP with fast-user switching, that way you keep their stuff separate from your stuff, but don't have two PC's to deal with...

A cable/dsl router will share the Internet connection, and provide a local network for sharing printers/files/etc.

Sounds like you might need a little of both.

 

[twentybelow0]

How much will the switches and stuff cost? Targets got a keyboard mouse combo for $17 if I remember correctly. Got it myself for the kids system. The monitor from Andover Group on ebay for $69 (17" Dell Trinitron).

 

[FreakOnA_Leash]

I have all the extra inputs, but I lack the space for another computer station. I really just want their comp set up to run just their stuff, so when they crash it...it won't effect my stuff.

 

[Bootay]

KVM (Keyboard/Video/Mouse) switch is likely only $50. Haven't priced one lately. I have a Cybex in my closet that was really nice, Belkin makes some that are decent as well. Make sure you get the right cables for the KVM if you go that way - some will come with 2 cables, some won't. Some require their own power, some use the keyboard power from the attached computers. Some require commonly used keystrokes in games for remote changing of which computer is being controlled (CTRL-CTRL - really bad in some games where CTRL is the fire key).