UKC

Hi. I know on windows its possible to extend the desktop to watch 2 different things on 2 different screens. Is it possible to have 2 desktops, operating as 2 different "computers" each with their own mouse and keyboard but running off the one machine? So in essence I'd have 2 computers without buying another one.

Not bothered if i have to change OS.

Thanks

In reply to phja:
yes there are various ways to run virtual machines. look up the likes of VMWare

edit: you would use the same input devices etc but have a hotkey for switching them over or select (one of)the virtual PC(s) from the host

Using a second mouse for the virtual machine should be too, for example:
http://superuser.com/questions/394323/mousekeyboard-for-each-vm

I've used the free version of virtualBox on linux to run virtual Windows in the past and installation/configuration was fairly straightforward. Bear in mind you'll need a license for the OS on the virtual machine as well if you want to run an OS that requires one.

A nicer solution, if you're happy to use linux, would be MultiSeat:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiseat_configuration#GNU.2FLinux

e.g. MultiSeatX on ubuntu:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MultiseatX

Setting this up is likely to take some considerable effort, however, especially if you haven't experience administering linux installations.

In reply to phja:

VMWare is the way to go, just bear in mind the virtual machine won't have the same specs as the computer you're running it on out of necessity, ie if you've got 4gb RAM on your physical box you won't have 4gb on the virtual one.

Just grab an ISO of whatever OS you want from any torrent site (or any linux site if you're wanting to install linux) and off you go.

You'd use the same keyboard/mouse for both the physical and virtual machine and would flip between the 2 with a hotkey as others have suggested.

In reply to Removed User:

If I read the question right, the OP wants to have a single box under their desk, but with two people sat next to it, each with their own mouse keyboard and monitor, each working as if they had their own computer.

To which I suspect the answer is that it's probably technically possible but practically more trouble than it's worth.

In reply to phja:

Just buy another PC...

:P

You have two options really... virtualisation (virtualbox, vmware, hyper-v) or terminal services. Either way you'll be sharing the resources of your existing PC (minus the overheads for virtualisation) between the two users. What's the rationale for not buying another PC?

In reply to phja:

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Will look into some of the suggestions. Got a feeling I've got a lot to learn on this front

In reply to phja:

It can be done a whole bunch of ways, but is unusual. I've sort of set this up before, but with devices called "dumb terminals" - giving additional text only interfaces.

You could do worse than reading the Wikipedia page on "multiseat" - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiseat_configuration

Unless you have some specific technical reason for wanting two independent workstations on one physical machine, your life will be much easier with two machines. Plenty of small/cheap boxes out there like the Intel NUC etc.

Good luck

In reply to phja:

You would probably get a better answer if you state what you are actually trying to achieve.

Is "it" possible sure, is it cost effective, overly complex, unstable etc. probably.

Cheers
LD