Use another computer as input device

Ok, I have a really specialized question(I think). Here's the issue. I have an LCD projector in my family room, hooked up through a long monitor cable to the powerful desktop computer in my room. This is fine for watching tv/movies because I have a wireless ATI remote, but makes playing games on it near impossible(no normal input devices in the family room).

However, I also have a laptop on a wireless connection. It's not the greatest machine but it has WinXP and all the input devices I desire. What I would ideally like to do is use the laptop as an input device over the network for my desktop. Like use it's keyboard, mouse, perhaps even joystick port(that would be rockin'). I tried remote desktop, but that puts a big window on my desktop's screen telling me that the laptop is using remote desktop(hence the projector is not usable in that situation) and I really don't need to have the desktop send my laptop any data. I literally just want to use the laptop as an input device. Anyone have any helpful ideas/experience with this?

arrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Playing a game over a remote desktop app either wouldn't work or would likely blow big time.
Why not just get a wireless mouse/keyboard?

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