Having some problems with Multiplicity

Setting seamless and working in KVM

from Stardock Forums

Hi, 

A few days ago I installed a trial version of Multiplicity, but I have 2 major problems.

My PCs are set like this: A main PC with 2 screens attached, and a secondary PC attached to the secondary screen of the main PC. So in order to access the secondary PC I have to switch the input on the secondary screen from main PC to secondary PC, plus I have another keyboard and mouse that take up space. This is why Multiplicity looked like a good solution. As for my screens, the main one is a 2K curved screen, and the secondary is a Full HD screen.

So, I set up my main PC as Primary, and secondary PC as Secondary.

And I have 3 problems:

1. in seamless mode, it looks like I'll need a third screen, because the software already recognizes my Primary as having 2 screens, and thinks that the Secondary needs a third screen.  This is not an option. Also, if I later wanted to add more PCs would I need a screen for each PC?

2. KVM mode works great (especially the sound), but I can't use it in full on the secondary screen, because it can't show me the whole screen of the secondary, and makes me use sliding bars to navigate in the secondary computer - which is annoying. If I open the KVM window in my main screen I have no problem, since in 2K I have plenty space. But the whole idea is to have the main screen used by Primary PC, and to use the second screen for both the Primary PC and Secondary PC.

3. When I played a game on my Primary, I found out that every time I wanted to do something on my Secondary PC (through the KVM) I had to actually pause the game, loose my pointer (pressing the "windows" key did that), and then go over to the KVM window. While if I want to do it, as I have been before Multiplicity, I can actually just operate the other mouse or keyboard without pausing the game (and yes, in either case I have to stop playing, unless I let another person use my Secondary PC, but there is a difference if you have to actually pause the game).  This situation is contra to advertisement of Multiplicity, as I understood it.

 

In order for me to buy Multiplicity I need to solve either problem 1 or 2. If I understand correctly, problem 3 may not have a solution. And in that case I will have to decide what bothers me more - the extra space a second keyboard and mouse take, or pausing a game. 

 

Thank you, 

Ran.

 

multiplicity
5,082 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience. Thank you.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top


1. in seamless mode, it looks like I'll need a third screen, because the software already recognizes my Primary as having 2 screens, and thinks that the Secondary needs a third screen.  This is not an option. Also, if I later wanted to add more PCs would I need a screen for each PC?

For Seamless connections, yes, monitors need to be attached to the PC(s) you wish to control and you need to be able to see the mouse movement on it \ them.  If you have a monitor with multiple inputs, you are going to have to restrict it to 1 PC. 

2. KVM mode works great (especially the sound), but I can't use it in full on the secondary screen, because it can't show me the whole screen of the secondary, and makes me use sliding bars to navigate in the secondary computer - which is annoying. If I open the KVM window in my main screen I have no problem, since in 2K I have plenty space. But the whole idea is to have the main screen used by Primary PC, and to use the second screen for both the Primary PC and Secondary PC.

Try using the 1:1 option under the cog at the top of the connection:


3. When I played a game on my Primary, I found out that every time I wanted to do something on my Secondary PC (through the KVM) I had to actually pause the game, loose my pointer (pressing the "windows" key did that), and then go over to the KVM window. While if I want to do it, as I have been before Multiplicity, I can actually just operate the other mouse or keyboard without pausing the game (and yes, in either case I have to stop playing, unless I let another person use my Secondary PC, but there is a difference if you have to actually pause the game).  This situation is contra to advertisement of Multiplicity, as I understood it.

Would it be better said '...pause my full-screen game...'?  If a KVM window is open, one should be able to Alt-tab to it like any other open window.   What we see most is people using Seamless connections, however, not KVM connections, when gaming. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

 

 

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi, 

Thank you for the reply.

As for seamless - limiting my main PC to 1 screen is counter productive to my needs. So, that is out. Also, I fail to see how it can be useful, since for every PC another screen is needed. While in KVM I can easily add more PCs without extra screens.

 

I do still experience the problem with the display in the KVM mode that makes it impossible to view the whole screen. I checked, and my settings were already on 1:1 ratio. 

My only solution (less than optimal) is zooming out each time I connect to the secondary PC. I attached to screen shots. In them you can see on the right side my main screen (with a private mode chrome screen), and on the left the secondary with the KVM window. One is how the window looks just after connection, and the other is after zooming out to enable viewing the whole screen. KVM screen - original positionKVM screen zoomed out

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

You just need to set the secondary computer to match the resolution of the monitor you are displaying it on or at least match aspect ratio.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

But that is exactly what I did. 

Is there a setting that makes the window border of the KVM disappear? Like you can make the make the windows task bar  disappear, and be visible if you float your mouse pointer above it?

 

 

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bluehawk19769274, reply 5

But that is exactly what I did. 

Is there a setting that makes the window border of the KVM disappear? Like you can make the make the windows task bar  disappear, and be visible if you float your mouse pointer above it?

 

 

Set the window to full screen and the control bar will only show at the top of the screen when you hover over it.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Well, 

I tried the full screen, and although far from what I was aiming for, it is indeed workable.

But, another problem surfaced. The software makes my PCs crash in a weird way, which forces me to reboot the PC.

I verified it was multiplicity that causes the crash, by unloading the software, and getting a PC to run for several days without crashing. If I load it, it will cause a crash while the PC is idle for an hour or more.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bluehawk19769274, reply 7

Well, 

I tried the full screen, and although far from what I was aiming for, it is indeed workable.

But, another problem surfaced. The software makes my PCs crash in a weird way, which forces me to reboot the PC.

I verified it was multiplicity that causes the crash, by unloading the software, and getting a PC to run for several days without crashing. If I load it, it will cause a crash while the PC is idle for an hour or more.

What crashes exactly?

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Neil, reply 8

What crashes exactly?

You can tell in Event viewer. What would really help us, however is if you were able to do this:

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/2122055681/Manually+Collecting+Multiplicity+Crash+Dumps

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

I don't what crashes, it never happened when I was at the PC. I only found the results, but I'll try to describe the effects.

1. I can't open new windows, close open windows or open a new app.

2. If a software was running while it happened, say a game was paused, I might be able to continue playing, but I won't be able to do anything else.

3. The Start menu becomes inoperative.

This are the most noticeable effects. The only way to recover is to reboot.

 

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bluehawk19769274, reply 10

I don't what crashes, it never happened when I was at the PC. I only found the results, but I'll try to describe the effects.

1. I can't open new windows, close open windows or open a new app.

2. If a software was running while it happened, say a game was paused, I might be able to continue playing, but I won't be able to do anything else.

3. The Start menu becomes inoperative.

This are the most noticeable effects. The only way to recover is to reboot.

 

Event viewer will tell you after you have a responsive PC back (even post reboot).  Also, the process I provided:

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/2122055681/Manually+Collecting+Multiplicity+Crash+Dumps

...will tell us the most if it is indeed Multiplicity and what exactly about it. 

Sean Drohan
Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bluehawk19769274, reply 12

Ok, 

Do I need to install that on my secondary too, or just the primary?

If the Primary is what is crashing,that is where you would install WinDBG and make it your default debugger.  This is an involved process and we appreciate your effort.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager