At tech the course I'm doing I need a either a copy of win 2000 or buy a second user machine running 2000.............win 98 I'm ok for mother in law has my old system and here I use XP or ME .....and what I was wondering if I can get get a cheap win 2000 machine and use a kvm switch I could have both systems on hand with less space talking up..............and less likely to annoy the wife....again............You and youre flipping computers or words to that effect................I not said the second PC will be in the bedroom..

Yes, you can use a KVM switch to run two base units through one keyboard, mouse and monitor. I use several of 2-port and 4-port KVM switches at the office. I've currently got 11 systems on just 3 desks!

I've recently started using Aten's modern range of KVM switches which have built-in colour-coded and numbered cables. They're cheap, easy to use and, as far as I've seen during the last couple of weeks, very reliable

Don't get the old-fashioned style (a big metal box with a chunky knob that you twist from '1' to '2' when you want to swap PCs) - these are much less reliable and, over time, will wear out.