Need a KVM-switch-with-OS4 advice

@ssolie

Quote:

Point taken, thanks.

Jack.

@Jack

I've beeen using an unbranded, unpowered PS2 KVM for three years now without a problem, between my A1 and PC.

Saluditos,

Ferr?n.

@Ferry
@Jack

I can go with @Ferry

I just got me this one
Unpowered, two computers (AOne with OS4 and a PeeCee with XP)
working out of the box and you can even use the keyboard
hotkeys...flawlessly...although the price is not really cheap

USB works too

edit: Well, too ealry praising the switch...after a reboot
it neither finds the keyboard nor the mouse, USB still works
but it's kind of unuseable as one don't has a mouse and kb

Re-plugging (yes, EVERYTHING) solves the problem, though, but i
don't think that is the solution you are looking for

kVM Saga update...

I received a mystery parcel today, turned out the be my KVM replacement, which I wasn't expecting as they where supposed to email me a returns label and only send out the new one on receipt of the old one...

They probably worked out the label would cost them more than the old KVM

The new one is a Belkin Switch 2 (F1DF102Uuk) which is far better than the old one, it does have a quirk but that's easily solved.

This one has different length leads, I started off by connecting the long lead to the A1 and the short to the Mac mini, the A1 screen appears with no problems... Boot the mac and... EEEK! 1024x768 <shudder>

Switch back to A1 and it's still a nice 1680x1050, so after investigating the screen mode prefs on the mac I see it's not received and details from the monitor, which for some stupid reason it sets every time it's booted and doesn't store any settings.

Anyway, I changed round the leads and the mac now receives the monitor info and I have 1680x1050 on both systems. So DON'T buy this KVM if you have 2 macs and a monitor greater than 1024x768...

One nice touch about this KVM is it has a wired remote switch so you can keep the actual KVM out of sight and just have a small 30mm diameter switch on your desk.

@Severin

That's the one I have... but with Audio as well.

It works perfectly between my A1XE and a wintel machines and a wireless KB and mouse.

Jerry

@Thread

Big thanks for all the info.

Jack

@Jack

Just be sure to use PS2, they (KVM Switches) seem to have
problems with USB (at least the switches I have tested)

@Raziel

I'm using USB with no problems... I have no choice as the mac is usb only.

@Severin

Hmm, but have you tried with Cordless USB?
I have Cordless USB Mouse and KB combo here and at least two
KVM switches (both non powered, though) refused to work after
a cold reboot. I had to replug the two to get them working
again...seems to be a power problem

@Raziel

Yes, I'm using a Logitech DiNovo keyboard / mouse / keypad set with no problems, the KVM is unpowered. I have the receiver plugged into the "mouse port" and nothing in the 'keyboard port"

@Severin

Quote:

Ah, so there may be my problem, thanks for the hint
Testing is kinda PITA if one has to replug everything all over again
You saved me some time

@Severin

phone call to belkin they are sending me a pre-paid returns label, and replacing it with a 'newer' model (F1DF102U) that fixes the problem...


Thanks for saving me a phone call!!!!

@Snuffy

Buy the one I did and make the phone call...

The one I bought is ~?20 the one they sent is ~?30 the phone call is free

I've not actually had an email or returns label from them, so I still have the old one...

@thread

(Last) Update to this thread?

Maybe, but i thought maybe someone can help.

I got a no-name not-powered KVM-Switch and have plugged the
AOneXE and the trustworthy A4000 on it
(using the Lyra keyboard adapter and Cocolino mouse adapter)

Working great so far with one drawback, i cannot use the
mouse on the A4000 side. When switching the mouse is always
gone. OK, the KVM manual says
"In rare cases, radio-controlled keyboards or multimedia
keyboards do not work with the switcher!"
Not a single word about a radio-controlled mouse, though.

I'm hoping for the Cocolino driver update to 1.1. Using 1.0
here. Meanwhile i have plugged a PS2 mouse to the Cocolino.

Does anyone has another hint on why it may not work with the
mouse or a solution/workaround?

Everything appreciated

Thank you

@Raziel

Maybe there's a "mouse reset/init" keyboard sequence?
(some kvms I encountered have one, not bransless though, Aten ones)
Are there any manuals?

Jack

@Jack

Quote:

Yup, here it is

@Raziel

Looks like "scroll lock" followed by "m" might be it...

Jack

@Jack

Careful on that "scroll lock"..
The instructions with my KVM say to hit it twice, then any arrow key to change computers. Never worked.
I eventually figured out that my "scroll lock" key is latched. Press to set, press again to release.. so to change KVM channels I have to hit the scroll-lock key four times, then press an arrow key.
I figured this one one day when the KVM beeped at me on the fourth press of Scroll-Lock (Doh!)

Also, There is a u-boot setting that can move the help feature to another key. This will prevent scroll-lock from initiating the help window. I don't recall right now what the setting is, but I'm sure someone here will tell.

Have Fun,
LyleHaze

@Jack

I am using this KVM switcher between A1 and PC:

http://www.jaht.com/products/kvm/jcs102pb.htm

I had my doubts when I bought it, but it worth the price, which was fairly low: about 30 EUR.

Picture quality is great, but takes its power from the PS/2 ports, though. I don't use the mouse part, because the converted USB mouse had trouble with it.

The only annoying thing is: for switching I have to push CTRL or ALT twice, and these buttons are often used together with mouse presses in programs, sometimes it just want to switch while I drag icons around with qualifier or so. (I don't know if this happens when I use the mouse port too, probably not.)

@LyleHaze

Quote:
It's in the UBoot prefs, on "OS4 Specific"

Map HELP key to PRNSCR/SYSREQ instead of Scoll Lock

I did that, thanks

@Jack

Quote:
Does not change a thing, i'm afraid, the switch keeps blinking
and only stops if i unplug the radio controlled mouse.

Have to live with a second mouse then, no problem

Thanks for all the hints