Monitor, mouse and keyboard over network

[chris414]

Here's what I'm trying to do:
I've been doing a lot of microcontroller programming lately, and at the moment that involves me moving my entire electronics desk to my computer desk every time I want to program something which is obviously not that conveniant. Basically all I want is a monitor, keyboard and mouse on my electronics desk (the other side of the room) which enables me to have two "workstations" connecting to the same computer.

The obvious solution is to connect another monitor, keyboard and mouse and just run the wires along the wall... but because I have a spare laptop lying around and not a spare LCD screen, I'd rather use the laptop somehow to mirror what's on my main desktop computer (I dont want to use the laptop as a standalone computer for some other reasons). Is there a piece of software that will let me connect my laptop to my desktop and make the laptop's screen, mouse and keyboard act as if they belong to the desktop?

Windows' "Remote Desktop Connection" sounds like it'll do something along those lines but I've never used it so not sure...?

Btw I'm using Windows 7 on the desktop and Windows XP on the laptop.

Thanks!

 

[LazyLion]

Maybe this will help?

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

 

[chris414]

Great looking piece of software, though I'm looking to do the opposite: use one display (which could toggle between the different screens on the different computers) and multiple mouse/keyboards.

 

[chris414]

Nevermind, got Remote Desktop to do just what I want

 

[LazyLion]

Nevermind, got Remote Desktop to do just what I want

OK, also check out Logmein Free Edition. Much easier to configure than Remote Desktop... and works right within your browser. It's a pity you need to use the internet though.

 

[ClockSpeed]

Also check out UltraVNC....

 

[plazma]

Or you could get a KVM switch. No-hassle keyboard, mouse and monitor sharing. No networking issues, no bandwidth problems.

 

[narf23]

VNC should do the job, but DameWare Mini Remote Control is also good http://www.dameware.com/products/dmrc/