KVM Problems

[Kyteland]

I read through the other KVM threads and didn't find a solution to my problem.

I just got the Linksys KVM2KIT and hooked it up to my monitor and Logitech Cordless Elite Duo keyboard/mouse combo. The multimedia keys on the keyboard and the extra button on the mouse no longer work.

I tried connecting the keyboard/mouse directly to one computer and then disconnecting and reconnecting them. They still worked afterwards so I assume that the problem is with the KVM switch itself. Why would it not allow these signals to pass though?

I'm going to look for new drivers for my keyboard and mouse. The ones I have are ~4mo old, but I doubt that is the problem. Does anyone else have this hardware combination that has gotten it to work properly?

 

[karmasalad]

Most KVM's I've looked at don't guarantee compatibility with cordless setups. I had an IOGear KVM that would randomly lock-up when I had my Cordless Elite Duo hooked up to it. I eventually switched to an Avocent switch, but I also lost functionality of the multimedia keys.

Don't know why it happens or how to fix it, but you're not the only one with the problem.

 

[Kyteland]

So if I went to a corded keyboard with the exact same features/functionality, then the multimedia keys would all work perfectly? That doesn't sound right to me for some reason.

Edit: I guess my question really is this: is this a problem with the KVM or with the keyboard/mouse? My guess is that it is the KVM. Why wouldn't it be passing the exact same input through from one end to the other? If the wireless reciever is sending the correct signals directly to the computer, then it should be sending the exact same signals to the KVM. All the KVM would have to do is pass along those signals and it should work.

Or am I completely off base with all of that?

 

[karmasalad]

So if I went to a corded keyboard with the exact same features/functionality, then the multimedia keys would all work perfectly? That doesn't sound right to me for some reason.

Not sure about that as I don't have any corded multimedia keyboard to test it out. Doesn't sound right to me either.

What I plan on eventually doing is to dump the KVM and just remotely access my other machines via Remote Desktop or VNC. I don't really care about the multimedia functions, but I do care about the loss of encrypted keystrokes, which is why I got the Duo in the first place.

 

[karmasalad]

Edit: I guess my question really is this: is this a problem with the KVM or with the keyboard/mouse? My guess is that it is the KVM. Why wouldn't it be passing the exact same input through from one end to the other? If the wireless reciever is sending the correct signals directly to the computer, then it should be sending the exact same signals to the KVM. All the KVM would have to do is pass along those signals and it should work.

Or am I completely off base with all of that?

It's not the Duo, it's the KVM itself. Although my IOGear would lock up randomly, the multimedia functions did work when I had my Duo hooked up to it.

My guess is that the KVM doesn't know how to handle/translate the signals for the multimedia functions.

 

[Kyteland]

This is the best that I've found so far. It is specifivally for the KVM2KIT but it sounds like it applies to just about any KVM

linky

 

[techfuzz]

Non-standard signals are usually sent to represent the pressing of those special keys or buttons on mice and keyboards. Engineers who design KVM switches cannot account for and design their switches to emulate all the possible manufacturers special signals that might be in use. They stick to the standard specification and anything beyond that is total hit or miss. KVM's are also used mostly in server environments where special keyboards and mice are rarely used (only plain old vanilla keyboards/mice that are cheap).

techfuzz

 

[Shmorq]

I have an IOGear (don't know the model number) and every short cut key works fine with my oldie Logitech Cordless keyboard and mouse. So it's just a matter of finding a KVM switch that is compatible with your stuff. Unfortunately, it's not so easy to verify this other than to read through forum stuff and if you're really lucky, the vendor specifies compatibility on their site.

-Shmorq

 

[jspeicher]

I was gonna order the Linksys KVM...how much is it ? $30?

 

[techfuzz]

AFAIK, powered KVM's seem to work better than the non-powered variety. Good luck!

techfuzz

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: jspeicher
I was gonna order the Linksys KVM...how much is it ? $30?

I picked it up for $40 at Microcenter in Chicago. I'm sure you could find it for less (or at least it's equivalent).

 

[bupkus]

I too was thinking of ordering this kvm. Only one question, does the scroll wheel work for either the optical MS Explorer or Intellimouse?

 

[Kk4JC]

I got the Linksys PS2KVMSK, for $35, and love it (except for some fairly slight mouse lag). I would have to agree with the emulation answer, because when you are on the other computer, it has to emulate the same K/M that was there, so it limits the K/M to what it can do.

Kk

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: bupkus
I too was thinking of ordering this kvm. Only one question, does the scroll wheel work for either the optical MS Explorer or Intellimouse?

The scroll wheel on both my Logitech mouse and keyboard work with this KVM, so I assume any scoll wheel will also work.