Looking for a way to connect two computers up to one monitor? There's a very simple solution. All you need is something called a KVM switch. These come very cheaply on ebay (approx. $20) and they allow you to connect two computers to one monitor. Here's how it works:

You have two computers, near each other, but have one monitor. Unless your monitor has two ports in the back, you can't connect two computers. Right? Wrong! A KVM switch allows the user to select which input they would like to display on the monitor. In ways, it's very similar to a receiver in a home theatre system.

KVM switches have at least two inputs to connect your computers. You can connect the two or more PCs through the original monitor cables that you have (or use those provided with the KVM switch) to connect the computers.
Once you have them connected, all you need to do to decide on which input, in most cases, is hit a simple button on the top of the device to select an input. Some of these devices even can install software on your computer, so you can perform a simple keystroke on your keyboard - if you hook a PS2 (not USB) keyboard to the KVM-to switch the monitor.

What's more, is, if you do use a PS2 keyboard, you can use one keyboard, and one PS2 mouse on two different computers! Your keyboard and mouse will operate only on the current computer selected (that's displaying on your monitor).

How to tell if you're using a PS2 or USB keyboard/mouse? Look at the plug that connects to your computer. If it appears as a rectangle shaped plug, it's USB. If it's circular in shape, it's a PS2. PS2 devices have been generally replaced by their more modern USB counterparts, however if you do still use a PS2 setup, you can use it on two different computers!

Even if you're using USB, though, you can still benefit from using two separate computers on one screen!

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