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If its possible to run 2 computers out of 1 tower, how is it done?
i have 2 computers i want to merge together and run 2 monitors off the same tower so that i can just have one tower and 2 monitors.
im sure it can work just need some pointing of direction where to start.
thanks in advance.
What kind of MOBOs?
There may be a case that mount 2 MOBOs. You'd need that plus a way to mount two PSUs.
I bet there are server cases that you can do this with.
I read about another contributor to this forum who was building his own "double-wide" case.
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I'd like to see the size of that case. It would be the Noah's Ark of computer cases -- two of everything!
In all my years I've never seen a case that houses two separate computers. If such a beast exists -- and it wouldn't surprise me -- it would be huge.
Good luck.
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the way the messages are going so far, it sounds as though you would be just as well off taping two separate computers together with a load of parcel tape.
I dont really understand why you need to do this - is it purely because you dont have enough space for two tower cases to sit on the floor?
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Clarify what you want to do with the rig you envision. You can install a dualhead grapghics card and run two monitors. There are cards that will run 3 and 4 monitors. If you want separate mcahines you would need to use two cases and you could use one mouse and keyboard to control both. You can control even more than two but you wouldn't like the price.
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my idea is to just have a computer for me and for my wife come from the same tower. this means she can be logged in her computer and i can be doing my stuff on seperate monitors. like almost running to harddrives from the same tower.
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Most graphics cards lets you connect at least 2 monitors. There's no point in combining two towers. I don't think I've even seen a case like that...I think most server cases just hold one mobo, but have alot of space to hold arrays of hard drives, etc. If you still want to combine the computers into one tower (granted that such a tower exists), note that the single tower will be as big as two separate towers, if not bigger. You'll then have to deal with issues such as air flow, etc. You'd be better off leaving the computers separate, and just moving the second computer somewhere else to be used as a server. (servers don't need monitors, and you can connect to them remotely). A second computer would be better anyway, so that it can do other stuff (downloading, serving, etc.) while you're working on the 2nd computer.
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It is possible to get a card to plug into a slot that will enable another monitor, keyboard and mouse to be connected, plus, I guess, some software, so that 2 users can work on one machine as if it was 2. I guess this would work great for word processing, less so for surfing, and lousy for demanding games.
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I have attached two mid sized cases together. But only have one system in it. The project got stalled for a bit as I have to have parts fabricated to make the cases more stout.
However I got a clear handle on what you're wanting to do. The two systems will still have to run indipendantly of each other but that's no big deal. As modern systems go each will have a lan connection on the back. After putting the two together you can attach the cases together on top or side by side. Connect the systems together by a cat5 crossover cable and set up the local area network. Here comes the fun part. On one of the systems map out a network drive and you and the missus can share programs and data from there. But that's a bit complicated. Just set up file and printer sharing from the network wizard. You can go with one being the source of the internet connection. Works best if you have dsl or cable as dialup has little or no bandwidth. It's not all that complicated really just take it slow and pay close attention to how you go about things. If I do run accross a two motherboard case I will leave you a pm here. But then if I do doublewide will bite the big one...
I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid...
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If you want to use your existing two computers it will probably be too much work. Also if you have cards installed it probably will be thicker than a single tower.
If you build from scratch you can use ITX motherboards 17 cm square (about 5x5 inches) or 1U server motherboards which fit in case 1.75 in high.
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If you insist on only having one computer, get a dual processor board or something. Two computers will still be two computers, working independently. You'll need a PSU for each, etc. Otherwise, just stick all the good stuff onto one computer and toss out the other one. You can't make a dual processing system out of two computers.
What seti's proposing is to turn one of the computers into a server, which wouldn't be so bad if it would only serve that one computer. I'd still prefer a stand-alone server.
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I can understand why you might want to do this but it will be a pain in the butt and be expensive. You will need to buy a fairly large case to house 2 power supplys, 2-4HDD's, 2-4 CD drives and 2 mini ITX motherboards. There will also be a crap load of case modding, drill new holes for mobos, cut holes for second psu and holes for the connection ports on the mini ITX board. Then you will need very good airflow to cool it and the cable clutter...... UUGGHH! the cables coming from that thing, it would be a nightmare to set up.
But now you know what you need we have probbably put you off. You could buy two of those tiny Shuttle systems and sit them on top of eachother, that would be easyer and more worth it.
Mattwizz3 : )
AMD K-7 600MHz & Asus K7v
256Mb SDRAM
80Gb WDC, 8Mb Buffer
128Mb ASUS Radeon A9550
Cyber Drive CD-RW DVD Combo
Spirit TV tuner
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yea i think its a dumb idea now.
but my original idea was maybe there was a mobo with dual hdrive reading capability and then have it where you can turn the tower on and both monitors show 2 different computers.
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I think this product i saw on ebay is the kind of thing you want.
A card you put in the computer which has a monitor socket, keyboard socket & mouse socket. Two people can then share one computer doing different things on it at same time. I have no idea if they are any good. Not sure to what degree it might slow things down for each user.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27388&item=5178975954&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
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you are all crazy, Aaron, i run two computers next to each other, and one computer has a dual monitor card (AGP) and a PCI graphic card. my other computer has 3 monitor cards 1 AGP and 2 PCI. (yes, I have 6 flat panel 17" LCD's on my desk.) There is a piece of equipment by IOGEAR that lets you run two computers with one keyboard and one mouse. to switch between the two you just have to hit the [ScrLk] key then you are on the other computer.
granted, you cant copy/paset between the two but it is a start.
and for all of you guys, windows 9x me xp 2000 longhorn, linux, sun ect, all support multiple monitors, up to 9 I believe. all you have to do is just start filling up your PCI slots with graphics cards, no software to install (just the graphics card driver if you want better than 16 colors and 600x800 res.)
windows detects the cards and sets them up for you during startup.
sometimes the cards dont work with each other but that is strictly the card manufacture and not the os.12 gig on board ram is way too slow.
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You could do something like this guy...
http://bit-tech.net/article/141/
Alert me after you respond otherwise I'll forget to come back.
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Yes you can!
Fveryone else here is a fool... there is a box from Jetway that allows you to do this and it works great! It uses specialized hardware and software that only they currently are offering (At least that I know of) but it allows once PC to run as if it was 2 seperate desktops...) Each person gets a keyboard mouse and monitor.. works great for web and email etc.. but obviously rough on gaming...
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And you are NOT A FOOL because you know of this hardware? You name may be a hint of who you might be.
Aaron
I don't know if you are still following this thread. Your idea reminds me of the all in one office machines. I currently have one of those that is useless to me because it won't print out a complete page. Only the left half. This was a TAD/fax, printer, copier. Now I use it as an oversized answering machine. My point is this. A computer like you envision is bound to cost about as much as two separate machines but it doesn't have the one advantage two have over one, redundancy. Enough said.
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