Keyboard/monitor/mouse switches

[mark at buttery.org (Mark J. Dulcey)]

Bill Horne wrote:
> 
> Sorry, but this isn't strictly Linux:  it does, however, concern
> those of us whom use a Samba server with Win95 boxen.
> 
> I bought a manual keyboard/monitor/mouse switch, which is
> supposed to allow me to share my k/m/m amoung four computers.
> 
> I've found that the mouse and keyboard often freeze when
> switching from one machine to another, and before returning the
> switch I'd appreciate advice on how to solve the problem.
> 
> 1.  Does this problem occur with electronic "matrix" switches?
> If not, what are the best values and where can I get them?
> 2.  Is that a way to modify a manual switch to prevent the
> problem?

1. Electronic switches should not have this problem. My systems at home,
connected together with a LinkSys 4-port KVM, certainly don't. The thing
cost about $75 (plus the cost of the cables) from buy.com. Electronic
switches also don't degrade the video quality, unlike manual switches.
(The specs for the LinkSys claim that it can pass video up to 1920x1440,
so it's not likely to get in the way of any video mode you want to run.

LinkSys says they don't support using PS/2-AT keyboard adapters, but I'm
using a couple of them with it and they work fine. On the other hand,
trying to get a mouse to work by using a PS/2-serial adapter didn't
work. (It's not a big deal for me, because the one machine I have that
doesn't have a PS/2 mouse port is a server that doesn't run X.)

As for the cables, you don't want to use the cheap ones for video - not
if you plan to any high-resolution graphics modes, anyway. Buy the thick
shielded ones instead. There's a vendor that regularly shows up at the
Ken Gordon computer shows that sells them for under $10 each; exact
price depends on length. They also have the keyboard and mouse cables at
prices at least as good as mail-order, so I don't recommend getting any
cables from buy.com or other mail-order source.

If you already have video cables from your manual switch, you will
probably need gender changers to use them with an electronic KVM. For
some reason, the "standard" for the ports is opposite for electronic and
manual switches. The guys at the Ken Gordon show also have gender
changers.

2. I don't know of any way to modify a manual switch to eliminate the
problem. Whether you get keyboard and mouse lockups depends on your
computers and operating systems.
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