Dual Monitor PC KVM to laptop

How to use the dual monitors when controlling the laptop

I have a PC setup to use dual monitors. Using the Pro trial, I can KVM to my laptop, but it only uses one monitor. How can I set it up to use both monitors while controlling the laptop?

19,229 views 18 replies
Reply #1 Top

 

Hello,

I have forwarded your problem to Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Please be aware that the Stardock is Closed for Summer Vacation will be back July 9th,

expect delays in response times, please.

Basj

Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 Top

Well I am now getting notifications that my trial period is about to expire. Can I get an answer to this before I have to decide whether to spend money?

Reply #3 Top

I have a PC setup to use dual monitors. Using the Pro trial, I can KVM to my laptop, but it only uses one monitor. How can I set it up to use both monitors while controlling the laptop?
End of quote

Hello,

It's not quite clear what you are asking....

If the PC has the two monitors, and you want the KVM Laptop view on either, you can window the connection and move it -or- use this option:

If you are asking that the Laptop use your PCs extra monitors in some fashion - no, that is not possible.  That said, if you had an additional monitor physically hooked to the Laptop, it can be switched to:

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Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager 

Reply #4 Top

Ok from the sound of it, it will not do what I need it to do. I wanted to be able to switch and use both monitors at the same time just as I would if I had a physical dual monitor KVM switch. Having to switch back and forth within the Multiplicity software isn't any different than just alt-tabbing to switch between apps and defeats the purpose of dual monitors.

 

Thanks!

Reply #5 Top

Quoting glowery, reply 4

Having to switch back and forth within the Multiplicity software isn't any different than just alt-tabbing to switch between apps and defeats the purpose of dual monitors.
End of glowery's quote

I suppose I am at a loss as to what your true goal is.  

If you are on a PC with two monitors, KVM'd to a laptop with only its screen - there is no other monitor to switch to for the laptop.  

That said, if you were on a PC with two monitors, that was KVM connected to a laptop that had two monitors (its own screen and one attached), no, you would not be able to have both Laptop monitors on each of the PCs - you would have to switch to them each in the KVM window.

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Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #6 Top

I am on a PC with two monitors and a laptop with docking station to those same 2 monitors. Let's take the laptop out of the equation and say it is 2 PCs and I have 2 monitors that I am running as a dual monitor setup with the desktop extended across both monitors. I'd love to be able to switch between the 2 PCs using Multiplicity and use each PC with the desktop extended across both monitors. So far all I have seen it the option to switch between the two monitors in the top toolbar as shown in your example but that does me no good as I'd like to have documentation opened on one monitor for reference and then have the other monitor available for doing work. If I have to keep clicking the green (2) and blue (1) buttons I may as well just use alt-tab because I gain no benefit from having two monitors.

Does that make more sense? I hope I am describing this more clearly now.

Reply #7 Top

Quoting glowery, reply 6

So far all I have seen it the option to switch between the two monitors in the top toolbar as shown in your example
End of glowery's quote

Correct, that is all that is available at this time but the option you are detailing is being considered.

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Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #8 Top

Thanks. When that functionality is added, this application will be perfect for me. Thanks for following up.

Reply #9 Top

I also need this function.  I've already bought the software only to learn it appears to be incapable to allowing my to display my two remote monitors simultaneously on two of my 4 local monitors.

 

With other remote packages, I could at least open a 2nd instance of the software and have one access monitor 1 and one access monitor 2.

I need to monitor data on monitor 2 so I can't be switching back and forth.

 

I'd prefer to keep this software so please let me know as soon as that capability is installed.

Reply #10 Top

I just created a ticket for this as well...

I currently have 2 monitors. The primary computer is connected via HDMI. The laptop on the dock is connected via DVI...there are 4 cables in total (2 going to each monitor - 1 cable from each of the 2 devices). In any case, even if it is connected, it does not allow me to utilize the secondary with 2 screens - even when the physical connections are there.

This should be looked into! :)

Edit: As an added example to this. I am a programmer myself. I absolutely NEED, not even want, dual monitor support. It is proven for added efficiency. With that being said, say I open Chrome on one monitor. Switch to the other monitor, open explorer. It opens in Monitor #1...so essentially even if the other monitor is there, I am constrained to that one monitor. Ultimately if we have the hardware as it should be, the software should function as a true KVM. 

I even changed the input on the monitors to see if I switched to the alternate display if that would work and it did not. So I think it would be nice to understand what the developers intentions were with respect to this HUGE bug.

Ryan

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Reply #11 Top

Hello,

I have forwarded your problem to Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

 

Basj

Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #12 Top

Thank you for that Basj, as an active subscriber/renewer of the Object Desktop Suite for 11 years now I have full faith that Stardock can come through and resolve this issue. 

I do see that you had forwarded this to the team on 06 July 2018. 

Can the community expect a resolution to this by the staff being that it has already been presented to them. Can we expedite/escalate this as many of us have purchased the software with this expectation that it would function as a true KVM?

Best,
Ryan

Reply #13 Top

All,

I want it to be clear that MP is not 'broken' in any way - MP does allow you to see other monitors on KVM connected PCs, just not all at once or broken out into separate monitors on the Primary PC.

What you are asking for, passionately, is a feature request and it has been noted. It will  be in strong consideration for inclusion in a future version or update..

We really do appreciate the feedback - I was just concerned about some of the wording that hinted that MP was somehow not working as designed or was falsely advertised..

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #14 Top

A true hardware KVM would do what we are suggesting. That is what I was referring to. A software KVM should do it as well.

Reply #15 Top

I also need this functionality.  For the record, this IS broken.  Pick any other remote software out there and you can AT LEAST start two instances of that program and have each instance control a separate monitor.  Certainly any that we actually pay for.

I have two monitors on the remote system and 4 on my primary and I have to start Windows Remote terminal just to monitor the 2nd display.

Since you do not think the ability to at least open multiple instances with each instance talking to 1 display is worth doing I'll need to look for another solution and demand a refund.

 

Reply #16 Top

Quoting dpowell7299, reply 15

Since you do not think the ability to at least open multiple instances with each instance talking to 1 display is worth doing
End of dpowell7299's quote

Where did you read that, dpowell?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #17 Top

When I reported this to you guys months ago. You said it was under consideration but not considered a bug but an enhancement.

Then also read any of the forum topics on this subject and you will see a similar response going back to a year or more.

Are you saying that it is being actively coded?

Reply #18 Top

Quoting dpowell7299, reply 17

You said it was under consideration but not considered a bug but an enhancement.
End of dpowell7299's quote

Because the absence of a feature is not a bug.

Quoting dpowell7299, reply 17

Are you saying that it is being actively coded?
End of dpowell7299's quote

What I have said and what is still true:

Quoting sdRohan, reply 13

What you are asking for, passionately, is a feature request and it has been noted. It will  be in strong consideration for inclusion in a future version or update..
End of sdRohan's quote

Again, your feedback is appreciated but please do not purport things that just are not accurate.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager