kvm signal booster?

nuttervm

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Nov 13, 1999
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i have a kvm and recently purchased a 15 foot cable for it. i have also purchased 15ft extensions for the monitor, mouse and keyboard to attach to the kvm switchbox. i did this so my main computer, and the monitor keyboard adn mouse could be pretty far away from the other machines. as the thread title suggests i think i'd like to get a signal booster if they are available. anyone know of one?

essentially there is over 30 feet of cable between my monitor and the back of my main computer, and unsurprisingly the signal is a little grainy now, so i was hoping a booster would do the trick.

diagram of setup:

monitor
[]-----------------------------[]switch
|
|
main pc |
[]------------------------------|

chances are pretty good that i am up sh.ts creek and there is not way to improve the signal, and i'll have to change my original plans.

 

nuttervm

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Nov 13, 1999
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damn this forum formatting, it screws up my diagram.

the picture definitely is fuzzier though, and the wheel on my mouse doesnt seem to work anymore. i definitely attribute it to the long arse cables. hrmmmmmmm
 

nuttervm

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Nov 13, 1999
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make that 36 ft on those cables i was neglecting the initial 6 feet before the extensions
 

KpocAlypse

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Jan 10, 2001
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<< Good KVMS are self powered and should regen the signal, right? >>


Yes but a good KVM can only send a signal so far, depending on the KVM and the quailty of the cables...I know we have a couple of These at work, but they are probally a bit more $$$ than you want to use for personal use.

EDIT: screwy link...Just look at the LongView series extenders. I can ask around and see if i can find others, but this is the only one i know of...
EDIT 2: This is the Longview at Microwarehouse, expensive little toy, , so i'd look for cheaper, but it will show that they do exist.. and heres a belkin at the same place..
 

nuttervm

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Nov 13, 1999
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yeah, i'm kinda looking for a cheaper solution. most kvms take their power from the keyboard input to amplify the signal. like i said we're talkin about 36ft of cable though, and the mouse doesn't have enough power. it comes and goes at will.

dammit, this would've been such a cool setup if i had gotten it to work.

anyone else have a cool solution to save me boatloads of money or the painful decision to return the cables (or just not use em for this, tho i cant imagine what i'd use em for otherwise)
 

KpocAlypse

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Jan 10, 2001
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<< Try Black Box , they have all kinds of neat things like that. Great catalog to look at too. >>



Holy nifty stuff Batman....But this sure doesn't meet his requirement of cheap

Mind me asking nuttervm, what kind of KVM?
 

nuttervm

Golden Member
Nov 13, 1999
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this is for my home setup mind you, so i am on a limited budget...

i have a 4 port linksys kvm. 3 of my cables are 6ft and one is 15ft. it has served me very well, and only cost me like $79 (i think) at buy.com two years ago. i was considering getting one of the powered belkin units but they are so expensive! i looked at belkins page and they do sell some boosters but they are like $60 for each (one for monitor, keyboard and mouse = 180!). they say you save money by getting one, but that really isnt the case for some of em. i considered upgrading to an 8 port kvm but they go for like 285 on pricewatch, and i doubt i will ever have to access 8 systems at a time from home. if i have to i'll just ssh or vnc into them, close enough and its free.

i'm looking at that blackbox site but i doubt i will find something acceptable.

i'm thinking that those 15ft cables were pretty much a waste of $$ and space... hmm. i won't give up yet! (although i had to switch back to my old setup, my monitor looked like crap and my mouse hardly worked)