Two mouses into one - will it go?

[sorcerer]

I think I already know the answer to this but I said I'd ask, so this is me asking

A customer has two computers, each with it's own monitor, keyboard and mouse. The mouses are both Microsoft wireless ones and look identical so, because they sit on the same mouse mat, he's forever getting mixed up which one he's using and gets frustrated when he's moving the mouse but the cursor on the screen he's looking at is going nowhere.

Is there anything out there that would let him use one wireless mouse to control two computers? Maybe a dual-band mouse so that one computer could have a 2.4GHz transceiver with the other computer having a 5GHz transceiver?

I suspect that there's nothing out there but he was desperate that I ask, so over to you

 

[Kitten Kong]

KVM switch maybe?

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Well theres software that will allow you to use 1 mouse to control 2 computers but of course both machines would have to be on to control the 2nd machine. I believe it was called Synergy but back when I used it for multiboxing in games it was free and open source but now it appears to be a paid product but its not expensive.

Edit: or kvm switch like cadishead mentioned =P

 

[LordIntruder]

I would prefer a KVM switch, too. If you control two computers with one mouse and both computers are on there will be action on both computers. I don't think that this is what your customer wants.

 

[sorcerer]

Well a KVM switch was my first thought too, but the mouses are both wireless. Does such a KVM switch exist that will accept wireless mouses?

 

[sorcerer]

Well theres software that will allow you to use 1 mouse to control 2 computers but of course both machines would have to be on to control the 2nd machine. I believe it was called Synergy but back when I used it for multiboxing in games it was free and open source but now it appears to be a paid product but its not expensive.

Edit: or kvm switch like cadishead mentioned =P

If that will handle wireless mouses then that may be the thing. I think he does have both computers on together most of the time because he's a professional gambler (horse racing) and has lots of racing info displayed on both machines.

 

[Diggs]

I KVM will be more confusing for him than just two separate mice. (Did I push that switch? Umm...? Which one is it now??? Ummm...??)
Get him a radically different mouse for the second computer as a starter and see if that helps.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

If that will handle wireless mouses then that may be the thing. I think he does have both computers on together most of the time because he's a professional gambler (horse racing) and has lots of racing info displayed on both machines.

Yeah if I recall correctly it will basically make it feel like a multimonitor setup, you move the cursor from one computers monitor to another as if it was all one machine.

 

[allstarit]

take a look at this which is similar to what ComputerRepairTech suggested: http://www.inputdirector.com/ it does what you need but not sure on the wireless part.
I have tried it and it works quite well.

 

[allstarit]

also with mouse controlling both pc's at the same time this particular software only controls the screen that has the mouse active on it.

You switch control between systems either by hotkey or by moving the cursor off the screen edge on one computer for it to appear on the next one

 

[nlinecomputers]

You guys are overthinking it. Get some nail polish and mark the mice. 1 or 2, Left and Right. Whatever.

 

[bcpcsolutions]

I'm sure there's a reason for the two discrete systems, just making sure the obvious isn't overlooked!.. Why not merge into a single system and dual monitor from the single system?

 

[Your PCMD]

This is nothing that a $1 sharpie wont solve.

 

[mraikes]

Well a KVM switch was my first thought too, but the mouses are both wireless. Does such a KVM switch exist that will accept wireless mouses?

Yes. I use a wireless mouse and keyboard with my KVM switch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S2PJO6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You guys are overthinking it. Get some nail polish and mark the mice. 1 or 2, Left and Right. Whatever.

This. ^^

 

[sorcerer]

Yes. I use a wireless mouse and keyboard with my KVM switch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S2PJO6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ah right, thanks, I'll have a look at that.

And thanks Computer Repair Tech and Allstarit, I'll also have a look at the software solutions too.

By the way, for all you guys out there who reckon I'm overthinking this - don't you think I've already tried the 'simple' route of marking the mice 1 and 2, or L or R????? The customer simply will not have that and wants a technical solution to his problem.

 

[Your PCMD]

The customer simply will not have that and wants a technical solution to his problem.

I read that as "the customer wants to spend more money than is necessary."

However, you'll be making money, so all is good.

 

[Seabass]

Probably not what your customer wants, but for anyone interested:

I use 2 identical mice on my bench. my low tech solution is a piece of tape where you place your thumb. If I feel the tape, I know it goes to my Bench PC, if I don't feel the tape, I know it's for the customer PC I have been scanning, testing, repairing etc.

Simple and cheap.

 

[Krynn72]

 

[HFultzjr]

You guys are overthinking it. Get some nail polish and mark the mice. 1 or 2, Left and Right. Whatever.

Yeah, or a few bucks for a different colored mouse.
Or, tell him to put both mouses in a shoe box overnight.
See if they produce a "meece" in the morning!

 

[sorcerer]

Thanks Krynn72, Synergy looks like it's the one to go for in this case.