A computer system and method for allowing either a primary computer or a backup computer to access a hardware resource, depending on which computer is executing an application that needs the hardware resource. A switch is connected to the hardware resource, the primary computer and the backup computer such that in one state, the switch connects the hardware resource to the primary computer, and in another state, the switch connects the hardware resource to the backup computer. Initially, the primary computer executes the application using the hardware resource. However, when the primary computer ceases to execute the application, the switch connects the hardware resource to the backup computer, and the backup computer executes the application or copy thereof using the hardware resource.