Need a good KVM switch... that does USB

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:33 am

So I need a good KVM switch, 4 ports, that will support a USB KB and Mouse, but the computers can attach using PS/2 cables, that's not an issue at all. Just need to be able to use my USB KB and mouse.

Will the average KVM switch work with USB->PS/2 adapters for the mouse and KB, or do I have to buy a KVM that has USB's on it for the KB/mouse?

Also, are dlink and linksys KVM's any good? I see a couple decent looking KVM's on tigerdirect.ca's site, there's a hawking technology and a cables to go KVM that are pretty nicely priced as well....

Shadow250 · Post by **Shadow250** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:24 am

i got a cables to go 2 port from them about a year ago it has no problem with the adapters.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:12 am

Belkin makes a reasonably priced KVM with built in cables that comes in either a USB or PS/2 version. Around $45 I think at Staples. I use them for clients all the time.

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:00 am

Well I ended up buying a DLink 2port USB KVM, DKVM-2U, and it was acting wonky last night on my main machine... KB lights would just start flashing and neither KB nor mouse would work... however this morning it seems to be fine.
Got it from tigerdirect, cost $75cad and there's a $20MIR.

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:26 am

The DLink was crap, and so was the one I exchanged it for.

But now I got an IOGear mini 2 port USB KVM... and it's completely useless on my main machine. The mouse moves once every 2 seconds, and the keyboard pretty much never responds.
However, this only happens on my main machine (see sig).

My other computer, a p2 400, never had any issues at all.

Question for you guys: Should the USB controler under Device Manager shows up as a "Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller" and "Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller"?
Nowhere is it mentinoed that it's USB 2.0, however it runs fine at USB 2.0 speeds (verified with my high speed ATP ToughDrive USB 2.0 Pen Drive).

Any thoughts?

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:14 pm

IOGear's website seems to suggest that maybe the USB ports can't supply enough current.... but with an NForce Ultra chipset and an Antec TPII 480w PS I don't see that happening....

The keyboard *might* register a keystroke once every 3 seconds, and the mouse might move a bit every 2-3 seconds.

My other box that's connected is a p2 400 @ 448mhz with a 300w FSP PS and a Gigabyte BX440 chipset. It runs flawlessly.

I'm going to try turning off USB 2.0 on my main machine and see that makes a difference.... even though I shouldn't have too.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:21 pm

Well, are you running off of the ports built into the mobo or the ones on the frontside? Either way, like you said it shouldn't matter. But I have noticed over the past that the USB ports do provide very little power to the devices hooked up to them. You may try installing a powered hub to see if that helps any? Or you could also try a PCI USB card.. Just thoughts, not that you should have to do this, but might help.

eGo

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:39 pm

yup I'm actually asking around to see if I can borrow a powered USB hub to test that theory. It would really suck if that was the problem

wpublic · Post by **wpublic** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:55 pm

if the powered hub does not work you may have better luck getting a USB-ps/2 "Y" adapter. your kvm can then get its power from the keyboard ps/2 port