Sharing Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse with two Mac's

I have a PowerPC and a MacBook Pro. I also have a bluetooth keyboard/mouse I use with the PowerPC. Is there a way I can also use them with the MacBook Pro and "hot swap" between computers? (By "hot swap" I mean thru some software or configuration switch to use the keyboard/mouse with one computer and then with the other without having to go thru disable/discover etc, etc). I'd really would like to avoid having to purchase another bluetooth keyboard/mouse (I have limited desk space). Thanks in advance for all replies.

This might not be exactly what you are after but I suggest you give it a try.
http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/
It uses TCP/IP connections for the 2 computers but allows you to access each computer's desktop on the primary conputer's screen and move the active use of keyboard and mouse from one to the other as well as having some other features.
Neville

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Successfully using BT Keyboard and Mouse with two laptops

We have both a PowerBook G4 and MacBook in the house, and a Cinema display with external mouse/keyboard setup in one room for times when one of us wants in instant desktop system or larger screen.
Recently swapped the USB mouse/keyboard for Apple Wireless, but quickly enountered the challenge of swapping the single BT mouse/keyboard between the two computers. After reading many threads here on the subject, I was starting to think I wouldn't be able to make it work without deleting the pairings each time (not possible if one of the laptops is off in a backpack somewhere).
But today I found a setup that is working well for me. Thought I'd share it. Will post back after a time to let people know if it continues to work smoothly long-term.
1. In Bluetooth Preferences > Settings, I turned off "Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer" on both computers. We'll use the Cinema display to wake them when docked at the desk.
2. I then paired both BT devices with Computer #1 and made them favorites.
3. Put Computer #1 to sleep. Wake Computer #2. Turn the mouse/keyboard off, then on.
4. I then paired both BT devices with Computer #2 and made them favorites.
Once setup as above, I can swap the two computers out and get BT connectivity for the BT mouse/keyboard, without unpairing. When finished using Computer #1, I put it to sleep and turn off the mouse/keyboard. When I wake Computer #2 I turn on the mouse/keyboard and after several seconds, Computer #2 finds them.
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I'm curious; if you pair your keyboard/mouse with one computer, does it lose the pairing to the previous computer?
To answer your question: yes; the both computer would need to be able to talk to each other via a network connection. If you can connect your Macbook Pro to the Internet wirelessly via the built-in Airport, then you can use the wired ethernet port, via a cross-connect ethernet cable (normal ones are straight-thru), to connect to your Power Mac (or connect them via a hub).
However, if you're not comfortable with networking, you may not want to take this approach.
Mac mini Mac OS X (10.4.7) core duo (early 2006)

Using one keyboard and mouse with two computers

I have just bought a 27" iMac and have connected my MacBook to it via the DisplayPort. When using the iMac as an external display for the MacBook I want to be able to use my iMac keyboard and mouse to control. What is the best way of doing this, as I understand Bluetooth will only pair one device at a time? I want to be able to switch my keyboard and mouse between the 2 machines as smoothly as possible... Any suggestions or is this going to be too compicated?

I'm curious; if you pair your keyboard/mouse with one computer, does it lose the pairing to the previous computer?
To answer your question: yes; the both computer would need to be able to talk to each other via a network connection. If you can connect your Macbook Pro to the Internet wirelessly via the built-in Airport, then you can use the wired ethernet port, via a cross-connect ethernet cable (normal ones are straight-thru), to connect to your Power Mac (or connect them via a hub).
However, if you're not comfortable with networking, you may not want to take this approach.
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I use a two button mouse with my Mac Book Pro. It works fine, but after installing Lion, the mouse wheel goes in reverse of what it did (rolling the wheel towards your palm goes up not down the page). Anyone know how to fix this?

I use a two button mouse with my Mac Book Pro. It works fine, but after installing Lion, the mouse wheel goes in reverse of what it did (rolling the wheel towards your palm goes up not down the page). Anyone know how to fix this?

First sentence in OPs question:
I use a two button mouse with my Mac Book Pro
I guess the track pad settings would look similar to my screen shot?
Regards,
Colin R.

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Hey guys!
Another peculiar thing happened to me today with my 3-week-old maxed-out 2012 iMac (other than it kernel panicking when I powered it down the other day...did I mention this was 3 weeks old?).
After installing Boot Camp which I will never do again, my iMac (on the OS X side) no longer recognizes my stock Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse automatically, until I press a button on the keyboard and wait 5 seconds, click the trackpad and wait 5 seconds, or click the mouse and wait 5 seconds.
(The Windows 8 Boot Camp side pairs with the devices immediately after Windows boots, which leads me to believe that the bluetooth devices are defaulting to look for Windows.)
One of my huge fears I had when considering purchasing an iMac is that the Bluetooth devices wouldn't immediately connect. Being a power-user with former Mac notebooks and working understandably fast having owned a web development company for 8 years now and not having to worry about Bluetooth device pairing, I'd like to think this fear is substantiated. But after first use (before installing Windows 8 with Boot Camp Assistant) it functioned normally and the iMac would automatically discover my peripherals and connect them by the time time computer turned on. I also had no trouble holding the Option key on boot to select a boot device....
Now, ever since I set up Windows 8 on the Boot Camp partition and paired the keyboard/mouse/trackpad to Windows, the Mac side completely ignores the keyboard/mouse/trackpad until I click a button on each.
I'm trying to keep it together but this is raging me out.
I went into Windows, immediately unpaired the 3 peripherals from windows and now use a wired keyboard/mouse with Windows (yay, desk space!), deleted the items entirely from the bluetooth panel, then booted to Mac and did the same thing. I then re-paired the devices to the OS X side andddd...no go! Still doesn't find them automatically. I am extremely upset by this and can't seem to fix it.
To summarize, my two issues are:
A. The iMac in OS X does not automatically recognize my bluetooth peripherals until I click a button on each and wait a couple seconds for them to pair.
B. I cannot hold Option to select a boot device (or choose Windows/Mac for example) because the computer doesn't recognize the keyboard until OS X boots and I press a key.
Please...for the love of god...someone help me, and stop me from formatting my entire computer over this issue.

I don't have a logitech mouse, but is it possible that the mouse is going to sleep during the reboot, and is thus unavailable when the OS is looking for it?

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I was just configuring a 20" iMac, and noticed we no longer have the option to choose the wireless keyboard/Mighty Mouse.
When did Apple remove this option from the iMac? I see it's available with the MacPro, but not the iMac.
When I bought my current iMac 2 years ago I configured it the the Bluetooth keyboard/mouse.
Is the Bluetooth keyboard and/or mouse not working well with the Intel iMacs?

That's kind of what I'm thinking as well...maybe they realized it costs them more?
Another possibility is that the BT keyboard/mouse has some issues with the Intel iMacs they haven't been able to resolve...so they pulled that option as a way of "discouraging" sales of iMacs configured that way?

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Is there a way to pair a Mighty Mouse with two computers and to them switch back and forth between them easily? I realize I could unpair from one and then pair with the other, but I’m trying to use a Mighty Mouse in lieu of a KVM switch with a wired mouse.

Yes and no. It all depends on the device, and I can't speak from experience when it comes to the Mighty Mouse, but I can speak from experience with other Bluetooth devices.
You can pair a device with multiple computers, but you cannot use it with multiple computers simultaneously. When switching, you'll have to tell your computer to disconnect from the mouse before the other computer can connect to it. Since we're talking about a mouse, reconnecting the mouse might be a little tricky, if you want to use only one. Perhaps adding something like an Optimus Mini Three (or similar HID) with an AppleScript attached to one of the buttons to trigger mouse reconnection could work.
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Helps to have wired kb/mouse until BT and drivers installed.
Even a tech article here http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp
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It isn't what OS you run as much as what model year the iMac.

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Thanks for your replies.
Sansui350A wrote:Just a quick thought.. if you install lxrandr and run it, what happens?
Gives the same as the command line utility. One single VGA monitor.
I tried deleting /dev/vga_arbiter. Didn't change anything, tried unplugging monitor/rebooting, no change. After reboot file got recreated giving the same output on a `cat /dev/vga_arbiter` which looks like this:
count:1,PCI:0000:00:02.0,decodes=none,owns=none,locks=none(0:0)
I'm not all too happy with downgrading the kernel, I'll eventually try it though (after I found out how to do that).
What do you think about this in dmesg:
[drm:radeon_dvi_detect] *ERROR* DVI-I-1: probed a monitor but no|invalid EDID
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Security Cables for Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse

I am installing the Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse in a public kiosk and wonder what suggestions you have for securing these devices without a security cable lock slot.
The building is fully secure and we have a motion sensor IP cam setup in our booth, so I think minimal (deterrent) strength would be sufficient. They will be secured to a lectern that itself will have a thick cable attached to the floor or wall. I've seen the tufnut adhesive cables online, but I don't know their quality/cheapness.
Our products are high end, we're using 50"+ 1080p LCDs and are going for a full luxury feel, the tufnut line just looks like it could be a bit tacky.
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Hello zg:
If you want an "official" comment, it would be best to ask your question at an Apple store. I have no suggestions as I have not needed to do what you describe.
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Hi,
I have two Macs - one Pro and one G5. I want to be able to use both easily, using just one keyboard and monitor. Can anyone recommend the best way of doing this, and what splitter I should buy?
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Hi
I like the Belkin Flip - it's really simple for a 2-computer setup and works well with the Mac.
Matt

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What is required to use a MacBook with the Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse?
-- i.e., what 'setup' is required to get the MacBook to recognize those devices and respond to input from them?
Thanks.

To be able to use the mouse and keyboard to full effect, such as key combos on boot and all the mouse buttons, its best to install the drivers from the cd that came with the mouse and keyboard.

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I have both computers setup so that "Ethernet" is first in the sort order for network connections. File Sharing is turned on on both computers.
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Hi,
I'm not certain of this but whilst you're waiting for a more informed response here goes. OSX uses something called the "default route" which prefers the one with internet access over the order of networks you set in preferences, therefore, the default route isn't necessarily the fastest route. Without editing configuration files or using hardware or software to hard code routing routines, you'll need to switch off Airport and hence the default route will become the network created automatically by your ethernet connected Macs. Apple Talk isn't necessary.
This thread may be of interest to you:
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Sharing Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse with two Mac's

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