I want to use my lappy as a keyboard for my other comp

Zonkytonkman

So I can do this with my work computers, I can be away on a job site and connect to my work comp through something called remote desktop. I can then control my computer with whatever computer I'm at. Hell I can even run hardware heavy apps like autocad on a shitbox pc, because all the strain is on the work comp. I'd like to be able to sit my big ass box computer behind my TV as a media streamer thingy and use my laptop to start/stop videos, que up downloads etc. I've got a wifi network going on in the house, and I can already stream videos from the laptop to the pc, and from my laptop to my xbox via media center. I'd just like to be able to set my big ass compy behind my TV and forget about it.

Uncle Long

Wait, so you're using it as a file server? If so then you just need to establish your home network and map the drives. (I may be an idiot, what are you doing?)

Edit: in lieu of using "Remote Desktop" try using "logmein."

Raere

I think you're trying to say that you have a home theatre PC that you want to hide away. In which case, just get a wireless keyboard and mouse. They have ones with media keys specifically for such a purpose. Otherwise, you could install VNC and control it from your laptop, yes, but it'd be slower as it wouldn't be direct to the computer.

Zonkytonkman

well see i already have a wireless keyboard and mouse. But then I have to have a keyboard and mouse kicking around my living room. That's ugly.

EclecticGroove

Why not just use RDP then? The remote desktop functionality is built into most modern OS's in some format or another. If it's a non windows box, just use VNC or any of a half dozen or so other applications that work across mac/linux/windows systems.

It's simple to set up and provides the same situation you have at work.
There are some potential limitations depending on which method you want to use, but for just controlling the basics of the system, web browsing, torrents, etc, it works like a charm.

Zonkytonkman

that would be great

how do i do that?

MKR

http://www.uvnc.com/

Install on both machines; run as server on one, client on the other. You might want to consider higher security than whatever the default is if you have a fat enough pipe.

Zonkytonkman

you're cool mkr

we should keep you around

Zonkytonkman

one compy is vista, one is xp, will this be a problem?

MKR

Zonkytonkman wrote: »

one compy is vista, one is xp, will this be a problem?

As long as they can both see each other in some manner it'll work.

MKR

Zonkytonkman wrote: »

you're cool mkr

we should keep you around

PA is a fine place so I'll definitely hang around.

Raere

The latest release candidates of UltraVNC support Vista, yes. Also, don't bother with any type of added security. Maybe a simple password. As long as you're only doing it on your network, what's the point of adding extra security? Are you really worried about someone controlling your movies from the other room?

EclecticGroove

Raere wrote: »

The latest release candidates of UltraVNC support Vista, yes. Also, don't bother with any type of added security. Maybe a simple password. As long as you're only doing it on your network, what's the point of adding extra security? Are you really worried about someone controlling your movies from the other room?

Depends, he should just make sure he's got a firewall and/or router. If the VNC ports are open to the internet and there's nothing to block traffic, they could do a lot more than just control movies, they could use it to get a hold of everything else that machine can see on his network. A password and encryption really won't mess with performance on a home network enough to justify not using them.

dsplaisted

Another option is a program like Synergy or Multiplicity. They do basically the same thing, but Synergy is free and open source and might be harder to set up, while Multiplicity is a commercial product which might be easier. Basically they let you use one keyboard and mouse to control two computers, similar to the way you can use multiple monitors on one PC.

mastman

dsplaisted wrote: »

Another option is a program like but Synergy is free and open source and might be harder to set up

/sigh
it is very easy to set up

Gihgehls

Seconding Syngergy.