Laptop to desktop?

[Dana Joan]

I have a laptop - and a desktop computer. My desktop computer has a 21" monitor - and a really nice keyboard. I dislike working on a laptop with a funky keyboard and a small screen - so I'm looking for a switch of some kind that I can set up so when I turn a switch, I can work from my laptop - but on my desktop computer.

For a year I've been using the Belkin "Flip" - which essentially does this. You plug your monitor, keyboard, mouse, and sound into the "base" Flip - and then you press a button to "flip" your laptop to your desktop, then press the same button to "flip" it back. It worked beautifully for about a year.

But now I have a new laptop - and the keyboard doesn't work when I "flip" my laptop over to my desktop.

Anyone have any ideas as to whether I can do this? And - if so - what do I need to buy to set this up? (I'm not real computer literate - so please spell out exactly what I need!)

THANKS!!

DJ

 

[robisbell]

you'll need a switch to allow you to take the output from both the laptop and the desktop to one monitor really.

for the keyboard to work, it has to be plugged in directly on most laptops.

 

[lardbeetle]

You may want to try booting up the PC and Laptop with the keyboard and mouse plugged in. I'm assuming they're ps/2.

Like, switch the Flip to the desktop, boot it up, then switch it to the laptop and boot it up.

 

[zetsway]

The Belkin "Flip" should do it. I have the exact same setup. Can you change the setup to what it originally was and see if it works?

 

[Dana Joan]

Thanks! I loved the Flip - until I got a new laptop.

But - I've been on the phone with Belkin - and with no questions asked, they are replacing my whole unit!

I will wait until it comes and hope that it will work! I have a really old keyboard - but I'm so used to it, I don't want to get a new one; it's the Microsoft Office Keyboard - and it doesn't even work with Vista, so I've heard. But I still have XP - and this keyboard works great!

 

[zetsway]

Let us know what happens

 

[Dana Joan]

Got my new Flip today - it is AWESOME!!!

With a press of a button, I can switch from my desktop to my laptop - then back to my desktop - then back to my laptop!! WOW!!

I'll tell you one thing: Belkin was wonderful!! When my keyboard wasn't recognized, they said they would send me a new Flip (FREE!!). As soon as I installed it - and my laptop recognized and loaded the keyboard and mouse - I was off!! I have a 21" LCD monitor - so having to use a small laptop screen when using my laptop was killing me! Now - I can see my laptop on my big monitor!

FANTASTIC!!! For anyone who wants to be able to use two different computers with one monitor/keyboard/mouse/speakers - the FLIP by BELKIN is the way to go!!!

 

[zetsway]

I'm glad everything worked out for you. I love my flip two

 

[dclive]

How is the flip different from any other KVM, save the nifty name and small size? Is it essentially a normal KVM?

 

[zetsway]

Originally posted by: dclive
How is the flip different from any other KVM, save the nifty name and small size? Is it essentially a normal KVM?

Why must some be a spoil sport?
The OP was just happy that Belkin stood behind their product. It's the same as any KVM. The flip is a two way KVM which allows any USB Keyboard and USB mouse to connect to it.
It has this little remote feature that's really cool. But that's it. The OP is happy that his KVM works and so am I. And it's just so happened...........it's a Flip.

 

[Dana Joan]

It IS a KVM...........it says "KVM switch" right on the package.

It's a KVM switch made by Belkin. And I got my older-than-a-year Flip replaced FREE by Belkin when my original Flip wouldn't work on my new laptop!

(Ms.) Dana Joan

 

[dclive]

No offense I was just curious, as it seemed like a popular little gizmo, so I was curious...

 

[zetsway]

Originally posted by: dclive
No offense I was just curious, as it seemed like a popular little gizmo, so I was curious...

It is. I got mine for 10 bucks after mail in rebate at compusa. They sent me my rebate right away.