USB KVM that works?

[shamgar03]

Right now I have an IOGEAR GS1762 kvm switch. It doesn't work well at all: My mouse and keyboard are continuously getting disconnected and reconnected. SO does anyone know of a good USB kvm switch that is actually worth buying? I don't know if my experience with this KVM is unique or not, but I will never buy another IOGEAR product, they have been completely un-helpful. Anyway, advice would be appreciated.

 

[AllGamer]

Linksys, using them

been about 2 years now

excellent

 

[shamgar03]

Link?

 

[GEOrifle]

I got LinksKey for $22, works perfect but my G5 lazer mouse with USB adapter can't work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817107210

 

[Zepper]

PS/2 KVMs are more flexible and can adapt to computers that need USB kbd/mse inputs.

.bh.

 

[GEOrifle]

Originally posted by: Zepper
PS/2 KVMs are more flexible and can adapt to computers that need USB kbd/mse inputs.

.bh.

Than why my G5 doesn't works? It's PS2 KVM too.

 

[Zepper]

The G5 is a USB-only mouse. To use with a PS/2 KVM you'll need either a universal mouse (comes with both types of connectors - unlikely the G5 (or any USB-only mouse) would work with any 3rd party adapter of the type they often try to pass off on the web - those are called "infinite profit" items*) or a PS/2-only mouse. If you have to use your G5, then you're stuck with a USB KVM.
. I think I've seen some KVMs with either PS/2 or USB in to PS/2 output. But that probably wouldn't work with the G5 either as its drivers will be looking only at the USB ports on the local machine for the mouse. So you'd have to use one of those PS/2 to USB kbd/mse adapters on the output of the KVM so the target computer would have the mouse on a USB input so the logitech driver would see it. All that conversion may also screw up the data rate.. Lots to think about to try to use a USB mouse on a KVM getup. There are ways (software mainly) to control a remote system from the local one w/o using a KVM switch, you might want to look into those too.

.bh.

* Infinite profit item - An item that costs you nothing (0) which you manage to sell for something. Anything divided by 0 = infinity. Those passive adapters come with universal mice (ones with the circuitry to connect to USB or PS/2 built in. Those passive adapters won't work with any USB-only mouse. The unscrupulous will try to sell leftover adapters to the unsuspecting... You may find an active USB to PS/2 adapter out there, but it won't be cheap. .bh.

 

[AllGamer]

Ps/2 KVM used to be good

but now in days it is becoming harder and harder to use those

a USB KVM is definitely the way to go

the Linksys one i mentioned has Both USB and PS2

so you are safe on that area, nothing to worry about you've got 100% support for old and new hardwares.

the only thing missing from that great KVM is Sound and MIC

but heck you can't get anything perfect these days, and the Linksys USB+PS2 KVM is the best that you can find.

Now if i can only get the 8 port version of it then it'll be great

even the 4 port version was hard to find

i was forced to use several 2 ports on 2 ports on 2 ports on 2 ports to control all my rigs (cascade flow 6 > 3 > 2 > 1)

it's kinda cool in a way, it allowed me to be more flexible and be dualing keyb / mouse 2+ rig at the same time, rather than limited to just 1 keyb/mouse as it would have been if i was using a 4port or 8port

the only trouble was to memorize at any given time and moment which switch i'm on

 

[shamgar03]

I would like to update. I got an RMA on my IOGEAR switch and the replacement DOES work very well. Perhaps I was just unlucky. Both the mouse and the keyboard switch properly now between windows and linux.

 

[Pardus]

Does the linksys kvm work with a wireless usb keyboard/mouse. was looking at the Iogear 2 Port Compact USB KVM Switch, when i emailed them for support, they replied: "Please ensure that you are using a native wired mouse and keyboard as wireless devices or any types of converters/adapters are NOT supported and will not work. Also docking stations or port replicator will interfere with proper KVM functionality and special keys on multimedia keyboards are not supported and will not work."

After speaking to a tech there at IOGear, he tells me no usb kvm's will work with wireless devices, i'll have to get a wired mouse and keyboard.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: shamgar03
Right now I have an IOGEAR GS1762 kvm switch. It doesn't work well at all: My mouse and keyboard are continuously getting disconnected and reconnected.

Belkin KVM switches do the same thing. The Belkin I have has just 1 button that tells the switch to check the other lines, and if it detects nothing, it switches back. The problem is that plugging a USB hub into a Windows computer will bring up that "adding new hardware" thing in the system tray, and it takes several seconds before anything plugged into the hub works (such as a mouse). The switch detects nothing is there, so it switches back. Fantastic! The switch is smart enough to not let Windows configure the devices, making it impossible to actually switch between multiple computers. To make it even worse, the switch won't let you use either set of cables unless both sets are plugged in. That means if you temporarily move your second computer, the KVM switch no longer works and you have no keyboard/mouse/video for either computer.

F*** Belkin and their crappy KVM switches.