Any one try this software KVM?

powerMarkymark

Platinum Member
Jan 29, 2002
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KaVoom.

Kavoom! KVM is like a hardware KVM switch except that the "switch" appears on your monitor, and you use the mouse to select which computer to operate.

No hardware is needed so there are no power cords or cables to connect. All that's needed is your existing network connection between the computers.

Looks very promissing but I wonder how well it works.

Marc
 

timswim78

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2003
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Seems like it is using some variation of VNC software, which you can get for free. Look for UltraVNC
 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
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Just installed synergy at work today...liking it a lot.

(I know this thread is old, but it's here, what's the point in making a new one)
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
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VNC and other remoting software has a bit of delay and their own quirks (like screen sizing and keyboard mappings, etc.). Thanks for this... will try them.

EDIT>> Having trouble understanding Synergy... it's remoting software that should have a window of the server, show up on my client machine, correct ?

1) Installed Synergy on both machines. Setup server (aka S1), "Screens" - is this supposed to list just S1's name ? I couldn't connect from my client (aka C1) - S1 console indicated: WARNING: a client with name "(C1's name)" is not in the map.

I only got it to connect after I added C1's name on S1's "Screens" list. That doesn't seem right to me. Why would I setup C1's screen on S1 ?

2) After I added C1's name onto S1's "Screens" list, and C1 was pointing to S1 via IP, I was able to connect from C1 to S1... but all I have now is a black console screen on both machines, and no remote window showing the others' contents. On S1, "Layout" is set on S1 with S1's name already.

What am I missing ?
 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
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synergy is not like vnc, it's more like a kvm that requires the other machine to have a monitor as well, it will not bring up the other machine's screen on yours. I happen to have 2 pc's at my desk with a keyboard/monitor/mouse for both. With synergy I only have to use one keyboard/mouse to work on both machines.
 

JBT

Lifer
Nov 28, 2001
12,094
1
81
Synergy is more like a KM not a KVM. IE no Video. Its great for having my laptop going on my desk while I play CSS or something. When I die I just mouse over to the lappy and start AIMing and surfing hehe.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
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Originally posted by: bunker
synergy is not like vnc, it's more like a kvm that requires the other machine to have a monitor as well, it will not bring up the other machine's screen on yours. I happen to have 2 pc's at my desk with a keyboard/monitor/mouse for both. With synergy I only have to use one keyboard/mouse to work on both machines.
ok, that's fine too... but I'm still stuck... all I get to is the console on both saying Connected. I move the mouse and it's only for the machine I moved it on... :confused:

I'll start over - I have a laptop beside me that I want to control with my desktop's mouse/keyboard... the laptop should be the client in this case, the desktop is the server.

1) On the desktop synergy, I set that SCREENS to show my laptop's name ?
2) On the laptop synergy, that is the client, I connect to the desktop's IP ...

After this connect, my desktop KM should be able to control my laptop ? Sound about right ?
 

BlueWeasel

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
15,944
475
126
I just setup Synergy using the guide on the home page. It's kinda confusing at first, but here's what I did that worked for me. Mine's the same setup as yours...the desktop is the server and the laptop is the host.

SERVER
1) Startup Synergy on the desktop (server).
2) Add 2 screens - one for the desktop, one for the laptop. I'd recommend using the same screen names as the hostname of each system.
3) Select the desktop screen, and change the screen relationship (U,D, L, R). Repeat for the second screen.
4) Run Test to make sure no error messages pop up.
5) Click Start to begin the Server and minimize the DOS window (don't close it).

CLIENT
1) Startup Synergy and input the Server host name under Client (not sure if IP will work).
2) Click Start and minimize the DOS window.
 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
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Originally posted by: rh71
Originally posted by: bunker
synergy is not like vnc, it's more like a kvm that requires the other machine to have a monitor as well, it will not bring up the other machine's screen on yours. I happen to have 2 pc's at my desk with a keyboard/monitor/mouse for both. With synergy I only have to use one keyboard/mouse to work on both machines.
ok, that's fine too... but I'm still stuck... all I get to is the console on both saying Connected. I move the mouse and it's only for the machine I moved it on... :confused:

I'll start over - I have a laptop beside me that I want to control with my desktop's mouse/keyboard... the laptop should be the client in this case, the desktop is the server.

1) On the desktop synergy, I set that SCREENS to show my laptop's name ?
2) On the laptop synergy, that is the client, I connect to the desktop's IP ...

After this connect, my desktop KM should be able to control my laptop ? Sound about right ?

You have to list both machines on the desktop in the server box. Use the actual computer names.

Then to the right make sure you set the location (up down left right) of the laptop.

Blueweasel, to get rid of the dos boxes, select Error in the drop down (I forget exactly what the option is)
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
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what's supposed to happen after I hit START on the client (laptop) ? It says "connected to server" and I don't know what to do next to start controlling the KM of my laptop (from my desktop KM). I don't see any new screens popping up... what am I supposed to see ? For my layout on the server, I setup laptop on left, desktop on right, for both screens...

Also, this is within my network (192.168.x.x) so I don't presume to need any ports forwarded, or care about which one it's using, etc. On my client, I can't use the name because it cannot find it. I had to use the internal IP and it connected ok... but don't know what to do from there.
 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
0
71
Originally posted by: rh71
what's supposed to happen after I hit START on the client (laptop) ? It says "connected to server" and I don't know what to do next to start controlling the KM of my laptop (from my desktop KM). I don't see any new screens popping up... what am I supposed to see ? For my layout on the server, I setup laptop on left, desktop on right, for both screens...

Also, this is within my network (192.168.x.x) so I don't presume to need any ports forwarded, or care about which one it's using, etc. On my client, I can't use the name because it cannot find it. I had to use the internal IP and it connected ok... but don't know what to do from there.

It uses port 24900 or something like that. There's an option to change the port. But since it says connected you shouldn't have to change it. Just move your mouse off the left side of your screen and it should show up on your laptop. Then your keyboard works over there. If it's not working, play with the settings on the server as far as the location of the screens.

I could help you better if I'd remember to check this damn thread when I'm at work where I actually have it installed. :)
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
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Originally posted by: bunker
Originally posted by: rh71
what's supposed to happen after I hit START on the client (laptop) ? It says "connected to server" and I don't know what to do next to start controlling the KM of my laptop (from my desktop KM). I don't see any new screens popping up... what am I supposed to see ? For my layout on the server, I setup laptop on left, desktop on right, for both screens...

Also, this is within my network (192.168.x.x) so I don't presume to need any ports forwarded, or care about which one it's using, etc. On my client, I can't use the name because it cannot find it. I had to use the internal IP and it connected ok... but don't know what to do from there.
Just move your mouse off the left side of your screen and it should show up on your laptop. Then your keyboard works over there.
Unbelievable... how slow I am. ;) Thanks, it works! Pretty phatty.

 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
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I've been using Synergy and I love its functionality - WHEN IT WORKS. Unfortunately, a lot of times, it just jumps back to the "server" machine for me randomly. Sometimes get a console message on the client saying "already a machine connected with name (computer name)"... or something to that affect. Seems like it's dropping connection but this is on a LAN so I don't think bandwidth/throughput is the problem with 10/100Mbps. Other times, it loses connection completely and I can't hit the "client" machine anymore. Not even after killing the client's Synergy and restarting... or even the server's. Sometimes only a fresh boot will help this.

Any of you guys have either of these problems ? I've tried a different port (even if it's on a LAN) and it still does the same thing.
 

neit

Senior member
Dec 6, 2001
353
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0
I haven't used synergy in a couple of months, but i did get server drops and some connection quirks (2 desktops, 1 windows, 1 linux). Since i made the windows one the server computer, restarting the client only didn't work when the connection dropped. It seems that the server couldn't form the connection while the ghost client was still there and would need to be restarted.

To sum up, close both client and server, start the server and give it a sec to get fixed up, then start the client.

Hope that helps, synergy is truly an awesome program (when it works :p)
 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
0
71
I've been using it for the past month and haven't had too many issues. The only problem I run into is occassionally I can't ctrl-alt-pause to lock the client machine for no apparent reason.

Maybe try switching the port number it runs on? I did when I installed it and set it to 8080 for no real apparent reason ;).
 

JBT

Lifer
Nov 28, 2001
12,094
1
81
I havn't used it in awhile, but I never ran into any of those issues. Maybe I'll start using it again and see what happens.
 

Seeruk

Senior member
Nov 16, 2003
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I gave synergy a whirl and gotta say it seems pretty pointless (although it worked very well)

Seriously what is the point in a KVM without the 'M' lol

Any suggestions for one that does the video too?
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Originally posted by: Seeruk
I gave synergy a whirl and gotta say it seems pretty pointless (although it worked very well)

Seriously what is the point in a KVM without the 'M' lol
For someone like me who works at home - I have my regular pc for my own stuff and a laptop for work sitting right here next to it. Using the touchpoint mouse on the laptop is a huge pain so something like Synergy is perfect because a simple mouse move over to the border and I've got control of my laptop with the same peripherals.

The remoting tools like Remote Administrator/VNC/Remote Desktop/PCAnywhere are obviously better with full-control stuff and overall management, but Synergy is a nice quickie solution for people who sit in front of 2 machines all day and can switch back and forth with a simple mouse move. What's more is that the mouse's extra buttons react the same for the laptop even when I've only made the settings to Intellipoint on my desktop. The cloning of those functions is a great feature... something I truly miss -->

Now with the problems I've listed above, I am relegated to Remote Administrator again. :(
 

akubi

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
4,392
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i use synergy. works great until i run some directx games on one of my computers.