1 computer, two inputs

[Noxxx]

this is possible, but you need some custom hardware dongle + software, and they are priced for commercial use - i.e. you have to pay $X per month/year

 

examples:

Ncomputing

Microsoft Multipoint

Userful

etc.

[IdeaStormer]

I want to have 1 computer be used by 2 people at the same time with separate keyboards and mice as well as different displays. I was wondering if I there is anyway to achieve this. I want to do this so I can pay for 1 computer but use it as 2 computers.

 

 

this is possible, but you need some custom hardware dongle + software, and they are priced for commercial use - i.e. you have to pay $X per month/year

 

examples:

Ncomputing

Microsoft Multipoint

Userful

etc.

 

None of those do what he listed (see above). You're listing Terminal server type software, you still need another computer with internet access to log in as the second or Nth user. I like the examples you listed though, nice stuff.

 

So still nope.

 

Update:

 

Looks like Microsoft Multipoint does do it!

 

Ref: http://blogs.technet.com/b/multipointserver/archive/2011/05/25/common-q-amp-a-about-windows-multipoint-server-2011-from-teched.aspx

 

Q:  What are "local" stations?

A: In addition to conventional LAN-based RDP clients, Windows MultiPoint Server also supports the ability to create multiple "local" stations.  Local stations are those where all the hardware plugs directly into the box itself.  Here's an example:  with traditional Windows, if you plug in multiple keyboards, monitors and mice, they are all available to a single user.  With Windows MultiPoint Server, multiple keyboards monitors and mice can be turned into multiple independent stations.  Does your PC have three monitor ports on the back?  With MultiPoint, you can plug in three monitors, plus three keyboards and mice via usb hubs, and magically you get three stations.

Edited December 17, 2014 by IdeaStormer

[woodycarson]

This thread question pops up again and again, and the answer then is the same answer now, major nope!

 

People keep tossing up ideas/guesses with no factual or functional way to get it to do what is being asked.

It's possible, it's just that there is no simple "go download this" solution.

 

The first part of what I initially replied is a solution. You could also have both monitors run a guest so neither user has direct access to the host which is what believe a true multiseat configuration would be. Each seat will require a discrete GPU. The host will need to be running either GNU/Linux or any OS that supports PCI passthrough (I have no clue if VMware or Esxi supports this or if so to what extent).

[Sandvich]

Don't think so but why can't you just get another computer?

[IdeaStormer]

It's possible, it's just that there is no simple "go download this" solution.

 

The first part of what I initially replied is a solution. You could also have both monitors run a guest so neither user has direct access to the host which is what believe a true multiseat configuration would be. Each seat will require a discrete GPU. The host will need to be running either GNU/Linux or any OS that supports PCI passthrough (I have no clue if VMware or Esxi supports this or if so to what extent).

 

Read the post above your post.

[woodycarson]

Read the post above your post.

I'm not sure what you are trying to get at.

[Mistersprinkles]

You're all morons it's called a KVM switch. Bunch of amateurs. It is totally possible and puts no extra strain on the computer.

 

If you want simultaneous input from both users you can just hook up two keyboards and two mice.

[IdeaStormer]

You're all morons it's called a KVM switch. Bunch of amateurs. It is totally possible and puts no extra strain on the computer.

 

If you want simultaneous input from both users you can just hook up two keyboards and two mice.

 

Functional at the same time, but have fun clicking the kvm switch button so you can timeshare your computer.

[Dabombinable]

You can as my old school had 4 people working off the 1 computer (it was running off an old Pentium D acer) using a device and associated software called N-computing (I think that's what it was called).

[fringie]

The only (recent) OS's you can do this on natively that I know of is Linux based but I don't know anything about linux so you'd need to look it up yourself.

 

Also,

2 computers, 1 RAM (stick)

[ImBleu]

Once upon a time while at a AoE 2 HD LAN party, my buddies primary gaming pc crapped out on him... So another friend gave him this shitty little 2.0ghz dual core laptop to use but it couldnt handle our 200 population cap once the battles commenced. So the 2nd friend who had a pretty beast gaming rig, decided to try running a windows7 virtual machine and remote connecting the laptop to it... Suffice it to say that with very little time came poor implementation and optimization... And although it technically worked w/ the beast pc's game performance for the most part uneffected... The laptop that was remotely connected to the virtual machine saw a negligible performance increase.  B) It was cool to try none the less...

 

But it did seem fairly capable of some basic computing tasks... so unless your trying to run two games on the same pc at once... Then there are ways to build one monster of a pc that does all the heavy lifting. While using a secondary existing desktop/laptop (aka free) to remotely connect to the first, and do some basic tasks... to accomplish this and set everything up correctly, and then further optimize it afterwords... Eh, That will take a lot of time and effort on your part! So can it be done? In theory and to an extant. Yes... BUT Is it worth it to you though? That is the real question. 

 

This is always possible - you could run two monitors in an extended (not mirrored) view and then stream the computer to a NUC or something which would only show one of the two sides, but then you'd only have 1 mouse / keyboard input. a VM is needed I guess.

[therist]

This is completely possible. In my home I have a good rig (i5 4th gen, 16 GB ram, GTX 980 Ti). I wanted to buy just one good gaming rig for my home, attach it to a projector and some 5.1 for gaming or movies, and be able to occasionally do some office stuff, while not interrupting anyone watching a movie or playing a game, on a separate small desk with a monitor, mouse and keyboard. And I didn't want to have to disconnect my laptop and carry it home every day, just in case I need it. 

 

This is how I connect things. 

 

FIRST USER

- projector attached to the 980Ti for gaming and movies

- 5.1 setup attached to a good motherboard (I bought it with soundblaster so I didn't have to buy special sound card) you don't need two sound cards for this

- wireless keyboard and mouse

 

SECOND USER

- monitor attached to the motherboard, so it uses the graphics card from the CPU, and you don't need a second graphics card

- wireless keyboard and mouse

 

SOFTWARE

I found the Ibik Aster software which is compatible with Windows 8.1 and works without any problems if you carefully follow the setup instructions. It lets you select which monitor, sound, keyboard, mouse, goes to which user, and after a restart it just works. They have a beta for Win10, which mean they are working on it. 

 

I am not sure how legal this is, but it works very nice. I can play on the projector, and someone else can really power use the office apps, loading almost every office application, chrome with a lot of tabs, and everything you can think of. You can even start the same user on the two places, although some apps might refuse to work like that (Google Chrome). 

[BOT Edward]

run 2 VM's and assign the keyboard+mouse combos to each VM, have 2 screens and extend the display.

 

Coming from experience here lol