So... hardware multiboxing?

[bpkdasbaum]

Hardware Multiboxing Update:

I finished the setup and took my 5/6 man team for a spin in Winterspring to farm some Frost Eko's (Elite Giants in the South).

It works, it's a downgrade from hotkeynet in regards to smoothness, ease of access, freedom of keybinds, convinience of swapping/rearanging windows.

But it WORKS! That's the important part. The rest can be adjusted/improved from here on out.

Moving on the master feels junky due to the rollover limit of the KVM (max 3 keys). As mentioned in previous post, I am used to mouselook strafing, jumping spinning etc all at the same time. I can get used to it though. Ideally I can find a second KVM that has real pass through or at least 6 rollover keys. If all fails, I will buy the same KVM again. This way I can get 3 rollover for the mouse and 3 rollover for keyboard individually.

Minor Annoyances:

- display resets position and main monitor setup when switching from PBP to Fullscreen
- keyboard shortcuts for switching are not working reliably, have to hit it 10 times sometimes. it seems to work better if a few "normal" keys are sent, then the shortcut to switch. It works 80% of the time on the first shortcut use. I am mostly using the buttons on the switch currently though, it's kinda faster to cycle through.

Controls:
- Had to unbind WASD on slaves, if I ever need to control them solo, mouse walk or arrow keys will do
- All keys are sent, unlike it hotkeynet, I can't block certain keys, so some double bindings had to be reevaluated, moved spells around that were blocked in hotkeynet by excluding certain keys
- Mouse clicks disabled via mouse disabler app

PC Resources:
- no disconnects, stable connection with 6 clients ~1h played, I had 7 running for a few minutes as well (@nodaze you asked about this I believe?)
- 100% CPU utillisation on i7-7700K @4.20GHz (slight OC) while running 6 clients via Multiseat. I can sometimes see characters lagg/skip, but that happened with hotkeynet before as well. Tends to happen less if I play on only 5 chars.
- 5 clients run smoothly
- 16/32gb memory used

Minor good things that appeared by accident
Master is set to 1440p and has a "dead" monitor on the left (the mouse can move into that empty space) slaves are 1080p.
When changing settings in wow the master and slave don't click the same buttons while mouse is active on all 5 PCs. This is convinient

It's quite easy / hassle free to swittch mouse clicks and mouse wheel on/off with mouse disable app.
I put wow and mouse disabler into autorun folder and pinned them to the taskbar just in case.
Everytime windows starts wow and mouse disabler are ready to be used.
I disable mouse wheel first, then right click, then left click last, alt + tab to switch to wow.
When I need the mouse enable again alt + tab switches automaticaly back to mouse disabler app and last position is the left mouseclick setting.
Hitting space reactivates the left click and I can use the mouse again.

Switching Windows/main Monitor around
Found this Macro that covers my needs, as I sometimes play on the 4k and have my discord/browser on the smaller monitor on the right side.
One button switches back and forth between both monitors

/run SetCVar("gxMonitor",GetCVar("gxMonitor")=="1" and 2 or 1) 
/run RestartGx()

/run SetCVar("gxMaximize",1-GetCVar("gxMaximize"))
/run SetCVar("gxMonitor",GetCVar("gxMonitor")=="1" and 2 or 1)
/console gxrestart

Shower thoughts:

- Maybe I should just upgrade my PC, get a shiny new Rizon and canabalize my current one to give my GF her own full PC. This would make my Multtiseat setup and monitor/sound issues less strenuous and easier to setup
- Need to find a solution for the rollover limit and pass through issues. @Wootenblatz informed me here
that the pass through is due to VID/PID hiding, avoid those KVMs if you can!
- I should make a new dedicated forums post for the progress on everything, maybe somewhat of a guide now that I got proof of concept
- Need to disable DCPH and set static IP, update setting in router so I can setup Barrier Software (borderless mouse sharing)
- Automate/save display settings with MurgeeMon App, so I don't have to manually adjust settings everytime I stop multiboxing
-

[nodoze]

Hardware Multiboxing Update:

I finished the setup and took my 5/6 man team for a spin ... it's a downgrade from hotkeynet ... But it WORKS! That's the important part. ...
Minor Annoyances:
- display resets position and main monitor setup when switching from PBP to Fullscreen
- keyboard shortcuts for switching are not working reliably... I am mostly using the buttons on the switch currently though, it's kinda faster to cycle through.

Controls:
- Had to unbind WASD on slaves, if I ever need to control them solo, mouse walk or arrow keys will do
- All keys are sent, unlike it hotkeynet, I can't block certain keys, so some double bindings had to be reevaluated, moved spells around that were blocked in hotkeynet by excluding certain keys
- Mouse clicks disabled via mouse disabler app

PC Resources:
- no disconnects, stable connection with 6 clients ~1h played, I had 7 running for a few minutes as well (@nodoze you asked about this I believe?)
- 100% CPU utillisation on i7-7700K @4.20GHz (slight OC) while running 6 clients via Multiseat. I can sometimes see characters lagg/skip, but that happened with hotkeynet before as well. Tends to happen less if I play on only 5 chars.
- 5 clients run smoothly
- 16/32gb memory used

Minor good things that appeared by accident
Master is set to 1440p and has a "dead" monitor on the left (the mouse can move into that empty space) slaves are 1080p.
When changing settings in wow the master and slave don't click the same buttons while mouse is active on all 5 PCs. This is convinient

It's quite easy / hassle free to switch mouse clicks and mouse wheel on/off with mouse disable app. ...

Shower thoughts:

- Maybe I should just upgrade my PC, get a shiny new Ryzen and canabalize my current one to give my GF her own full PC. This would make my Multiseat setup and monitor/sound issues less strenuous and easier to setup ...
- I should make a new dedicated forums post for the progress on everything, maybe somewhat of a guide now that I got proof of concept ...
- Automate/save display settings with MurgeeMon App, so I don't have to manually adjust settings everytime I stop multiboxing
-

Black Friday is approaching and your girlfriend likely deserves an i7-7700K so get yourself a Ryzen so you can treat her right!

Which mouse disable app are you using?

I definitely think a new guide thread would be really good/helpful. Reserve at least the first 3 or so posts and keep the top updated if/as things evolve.

At some point I though you were having performance issues with Aster and were looking at switching to VMware... It sounds like you figured them out so I would definately include in your new guide thread any tips/tricks to finetune Aster for WoW Multiboxing.

[bpkdasbaum]

@nodoze

https://www.murgee.com/mouse-disabler/download/setup.exe

Edit: I realized just now that I had my wow settings at 100 FPS :E toned that down to 20 per Slave

[killem2]

Yesterday's "multiboxing ban" (https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/ne...sting-software) specifically prohibits "input broadcasting software". I'm assuming that effectively bans all the mutliboxing software that we generally use, e.g ISBoxer, HKN/AHK, Keyclone, etc.

In today's policy update (https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/24258), Blizzard did clarify that multiboxing (owning and playing multiple accounts at the same time) is still OK - just that you can't use "input broadcasting software". Why they specifically prohibit "software" instead of more generic ban on "input broadcasting tools", "utilities" or some other wording I don't now. But that does seem to leave a gap open for hardware multiboxing.

There's a whole other discussion to be had about whether a hardware solution would still be violating the intent of what Blizzard did, or whether anyone (including Blizzard) would even be able to tell the difference. Maybe they'd just ban you anyway - seems like that's already happening based on nothing more than mass reporting.

This thread isn't to say that a hardware solution is OK by Blizzard, but I do think its an idea worth exploring. What the options, what are the pro's and con's? I'm scared to even fire up any of the software utilities even if I turn off broadcasting entirely, but that's also a discussion for some another thread.

Generally speaking, hardware is a more expensive solution - and the performance likely isn't as good as the purpose built software we're all used to dealing with. But please share any tips/tricks or test results that may be useful.

I like this solution, I have a surface pro 3 that can run wow, and my gaming laptop. Were you able to identify if you can turn over specific hardware broadcasting? Like I really don't want it for any more than helping me level. It's just two accounts and I really just want my 2nd account to spam some spells while I'm driving.

[nodoze]

I like this solution, I have a surface pro 3 that can run wow, and my gaming laptop. Were you able to identify if you can turn over specific hardware broadcasting? Like I really don't want it for any more than helping me level. It's just two accounts and I really just want my 2nd account to spam some spells while I'm driving.

If you are just running 2 clients you likely would be just fine with multiple solutions running 2 clients side by side on a single PC.

If the 2nd account is a healer or an intermittent DPS class (like a hunter who can send a pet and auto-attack or a warlock who could send a pet and quickly DoT and then start Wanding) then simple mouseover solution could work. If you want/need more fast window switching at a software level that is macro-able then I would look at WoW Open Box for a free solution or a JMB trial for a paid solution.

Not to denigrate Hardware based option but for 3 clients it just seems overkill to me to go with a KM switch and what not for simultaneous inputs for just 1 additional character like most hardware boxers are doing. If I were to go hardware based with your hardware I would maybe just get a small numeric keypad for the surface pro 3 to put next to (or just above) my main keyboard (or mouse) and hit that for the 2nd character.

There are also some addons which you may want which can help regardless of which route you go which include EMA, MAMA, & Dynamic Boxer.

A summary of the options can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...gid=1566844114

[RCmag13]

Well, i think multiboxing in WoW is over. And i will not return to WoW to play multiple chars. Yet, i will continue to play solo. I also think that Blizzards decision will have echos in other MMORPGs, and probably many of them will prohibit multiboxing too.
Those are dark times for multiboxers.

Doubtful, Blizzard just happened to have enough revenue that removing multiboxers won't hurt their bottom line that much. Besides, there are so many emulator servers that allow multiboxing. I 54 box Everquest for free on an emulator server. Hell, you can even setup your own server now a days pretty easily for many games and create your own rules.

[[BR]DarkFalcon]

I liked the Aster option, just one question, its possible to use a software like Sinergy or Barrier? I can't configure because it's the same PC, any ideas to use 1 one mouse on various 'screens' ?

[yeaunome]

Hardware Multiboxing Update:

I finished the setup and took my 5/6 man team for a spin in Winterspring to farm some Frost Eko's (Elite Giants in the South).

It works, it's a downgrade from hotkeynet in regards to smoothness, ease of access, freedom of keybinds, convinience of swapping/rearanging windows.

But it WORKS! That's the important part. The rest can be adjusted/improved from here on out.

Moving on the master feels junky due to the rollover limit of the KVM (max 3 keys). As mentioned in previous post, I am used to mouselook strafing, jumping spinning etc all at the same time. I can get used to it though. Ideally I can find a second KVM that has real pass through or at least 6 rollover keys. If all fails, I will buy the same KVM again. This way I can get 3 rollover for the mouse and 3 rollover for keyboard individually.

Minor Annoyances:

- display resets position and main monitor setup when switching from PBP to Fullscreen
- keyboard shortcuts for switching are not working reliably, have to hit it 10 times sometimes. it seems to work better if a few "normal" keys are sent, then the shortcut to switch. It works 80% of the time on the first shortcut use. I am mostly using the buttons on the switch currently though, it's kinda faster to cycle through.

Controls:
- Had to unbind WASD on slaves, if I ever need to control them solo, mouse walk or arrow keys will do
- All keys are sent, unlike it hotkeynet, I can't block certain keys, so some double bindings had to be reevaluated, moved spells around that were blocked in hotkeynet by excluding certain keys
- Mouse clicks disabled via mouse disabler app

PC Resources:
- no disconnects, stable connection with 6 clients ~1h played, I had 7 running for a few minutes as well (@nodaze you asked about this I believe?)
- 100% CPU utillisation on i7-7700K @4.20GHz (slight OC) while running 6 clients via Multiseat. I can sometimes see characters lagg/skip, but that happened with hotkeynet before as well. Tends to happen less if I play on only 5 chars.
- 5 clients run smoothly
- 16/32gb memory used

Minor good things that appeared by accident
Master is set to 1440p and has a "dead" monitor on the left (the mouse can move into that empty space) slaves are 1080p.
When changing settings in wow the master and slave don't click the same buttons while mouse is active on all 5 PCs. This is convinient

It's quite easy / hassle free to swittch mouse clicks and mouse wheel on/off with mouse disable app.
I put wow and mouse disabler into autorun folder and pinned them to the taskbar just in case.
Everytime windows starts wow and mouse disabler are ready to be used.
I disable mouse wheel first, then right click, then left click last, alt + tab to switch to wow.
When I need the mouse enable again alt + tab switches automaticaly back to mouse disabler app and last position is the left mouseclick setting.
Hitting space reactivates the left click and I can use the mouse again.

Switching Windows/main Monitor around
Found this Macro that covers my needs, as I sometimes play on the 4k and have my discord/browser on the smaller monitor on the right side.
One button switches back and forth between both monitors

/run SetCVar("gxMonitor",GetCVar("gxMonitor")=="1" and 2 or 1) 
/run RestartGx()

/run SetCVar("gxMaximize",1-GetCVar("gxMaximize"))
/run SetCVar("gxMonitor",GetCVar("gxMonitor")=="1" and 2 or 1)
/console gxrestart

Shower thoughts:

- Maybe I should just upgrade my PC, get a shiny new Rizon and canabalize my current one to give my GF her own full PC. This would make my Multtiseat setup and monitor/sound issues less strenuous and easier to setup
- Need to find a solution for the rollover limit and pass through issues. @Wootenblatz informed me here
that the pass through is due to VID/PID hiding, avoid those KVMs if you can!
- I should make a new dedicated forums post for the progress on everything, maybe somewhat of a guide now that I got proof of concept
- Need to disable DCPH and set static IP, update setting in router so I can setup Barrier Software (borderless mouse sharing)
- Automate/save display settings with MurgeeMon App, so I don't have to manually adjust settings everytime I stop multiboxing
-

how are you running 5+ workplaces in aster? I have no issues running 4 workplaces off my rtx 3080 alone. But it gives monitor issues if I try to add a 5th monitor. I have tried using my iGPU, and I have tried adding a gtx 970 to round out my WMPWP group.

[yeaunome]

Im up and running Aster x5 with my WMPWP group.

Aster is a bit finnicky when it comes loading up my workplaces. It has to do with the order monitors load up vs how they are assigned. I cant figure out a way to force the order so it works smoothly. To get around it, every time it would load incorrectly, I just make sure I forced Aster to try(and knowingly fail) to start the 4 additional workplaces and then reboot. It can take a couple of times before it 'takes' and all 5 workplaces boot up.

Im running 2 ShuOne 8 ports
One dedicated to Mouse(Naga Trinity) that I drive from my Warrior with
One with my main KB(Huntsman) and an additional mouse(Scimitar) for slaves, as I do not connect my driving mouse to my slaves at all in aster. With this ShuOne always in broadcast mode. It allows the 12 side keys(on the Naga) to register as a KB input so it goes out to all slaves as well. Also it avoids the problem with the mouse losing its position. Works very well.

Running a 2nd monitor for my 4 slaves, same setup as multidayz with the quad multiplexer.

Had to add a 5 port USB card to have enough room for the 10 usb connections for the mouse and kb lolsigh

Warrior is 58, so Im working on binding everything the way I want it and then will start working through dungeons. But I dont expect an issue. Looking forward to leveling tbc.

[nodoze]

Im up and running Aster x5 with my WMPWP group.

Aster is a bit finnicky when it comes loading up my workplaces. It has to do with the order monitors load up vs how they are assigned. I cant figure out a way to force the order so it works smoothly. To get around it, every time it would load incorrectly, I just make sure I forced Aster to try(and knowingly fail) to start the 4 additional workplaces and then reboot. It can take a couple of times before it 'takes' and all 5 workplaces boot up.

Im running 2 ShuOne 8 ports
One dedicated to Mouse(Naga Trinity) that I drive from my Warrior with
One with my main KB(Huntsman) and an additional mouse(Scimitar) for slaves, as I do not connect my driving mouse to my slaves at all in aster. With this ShuOne always in broadcast mode. It allows the 12 side keys(on the Naga) to register as a KB input so it goes out to all slaves as well. Also it avoids the problem with the mouse losing its position. Works very well.

Running a 2nd monitor for my 4 slaves, same setup as multidayz with the quad multiplexer.

Had to add a 5 port USB card to have enough room for the 10 usb connections for the mouse and kb lolsigh

Warrior is 58, so Im working on binding everything the way I want it and then will start working through dungeons. But I dont expect an issue. Looking forward to leveling tbc.

Glad to hear another Aster setup is up successfully.

Aster's Multiseat Desktops (MDs) have significantly less overhead and complexity than VMs and should perform better as there is no true virtualization you should be able to do more with less hardware overall with maybe the exception that you need actual video ports (which should be fine for 5boxing).

Were you able to get all 5 desktops to run from the single video card? What do they show up as in the setups (like 2 HDMI and 2 Displayport & 1 HDMI from the iGPU?)?