BonzaiDuck
Lifer
I'd had a sidebar with a moderator about the title of a thread dealing with this topic -- it may have been this one.
Moderator wanted to use the expression "old KVM" in the title. I don't entirely object, but I've made some recent observations.
Looking for alternative upgrade options to this old Belkin PS/2 4-port KVM, my biggest desire or priority is to become "4K-ready" for one or more systems under my desk. Typically, I have my server (which doesn't need "4K" any time soon), and two very similar workstations. The "4K-ready" options that are both forward-looking (to DisplayPort) and have four available ports/computer-connections are priced above $400 -- currently. Lesser options in the $200 +/- range (for four-port) mostly deploy DVI, VGA -- possibly HDMI connections for video. These particulars are peripherally relevant to the issue, but it provides a background.
The Belkins (I have two, one perfectly good in storage) work great after 20 years use. I've been able to bridge the gap between the PC's, the keyboard and mouse with converter plugs/adapters or the Y-splitter that connects to one PC USB port. What I'd noticed all along: When returning to this or that PC, one must hold the mouse button down for a second to watch the keyboard lights signal that the connection is entirely re-established. Otherwise, dragging the mouse will cause pop-up menus or randomly open desktop items -- even change the size of desktop icons (has happened often enough that I take these precautions.) Holding down the mouse button for a second has been an entirely reliable means of dealing with this behavior, so that the unwanted consequences are entirely avoidable. Let me emphasize that word: "Entirely."
Other times, I'd notice a partial loss of mouse functionality if I need to reboot a system or it reboots on its own for some scheduled activity or Microsoft Updates, and the PC in question isn't currently selected on the KVM. I may have experienced occasional behaviors with key-press repeat, or an occasional lost character. For the most part, these things seem to evaporate if I apply the remedy explained below in the original thread post.
About the designation "old KVM." During my search for prospective replacements of the Belkin, I've poured over customer-reviews of newer DVI/USB and even HDMI/USB KVMs. What I discovered is that many of these symptoms or behaviors I've described can be found in the "Cons" section of Newegg customer reviews.
And this is in regard to fairly new KVM models -- some priced in the $175 to $200 range. The two-port models can range from $70+ to nearly $100. Those are the models most common at resellers like the Egg, and I've only seen a couple 2-port/2-PC options with HDMI. Most of those offerings are limited to 1920x1200 resolution; manufacturers insist that they "recommend" 60Hz refresh-rates, and won't venture to say either way what would happen with 120 Hz.
It would seem that users who need to use a KVM or prefer to use it for the obvious reasons, should be able to circumvent the behaviors that are common to both "old" and "new" KVM switches. There is not much trouble in executing a simultaneous press to six keys -- right and left Shft-Ctrl-Alt. You will train your fingers to do it easily.
But it's comforting -- whether for "old" or "new" KVMs -- that you'd have the full functionality of your mouse scroll-wheel, or that you can avoid unpleasant behaviors on switching between computers. And certainly, we'd like these transitions between selected computers to be quick and easy. Personally, if some feature or behavior falls short, I'm willing to live with some initial key presses to assure tip-top operations.
I think that's probably an acceptable response to minor imperfections in a niche product like a KVM switch -- OLD . . . or NEW. Some knowledgeable Anand veterans have actually expressed puzzlement as to why we might like to use KVMs, but enough folks have posted on the KVM topic that there is some subliminal demand for it.
KVMs will always lag behind the video technology as long as it continues to change. USB to PS/2 conversion or vice-versa is a fairly simple thing, is fairly well established with these Y-cables and converter plugs. I've got USB mouse connected to my KVM with a plug that fits the back of the Belkin at the PS/2 (mouse) port; I've got a PS/2 keyboard connected directly to the KVM at its own PS/2 port. I've got the Y-cables connecting double PS/2 cables to a single USB port of two out of three computers. The third -- a server -- still has PS/2 ports, and believe it or not -- for a lack of an appropriate cable between computer and KVM, I actually have a PS/2 to PC-AT connector patched to an AT-to-PS/2 cable. That's the most trouble-free connection of all three machines!
It will soon be time to part with my beloved Belkin boxes, or put them aside for some usage needed in a pinch. But it's probably worthwhile to know that you can klooge together parts of dated technology and actually get it to work this well.
Perhaps the test of reliability is the use of keyboard and mouse for games as opposed to a directly-connected joystick or controller. Do I "win" the race in GRID2? Most certainly -- I do.
And a few days ago, with a prospect of cleaning a grungy, kruft-ridden PS/2 Logitech keyboard, I decided I wanted to remove it for cleaning. I also decided that the keyswitches were fairly worn down. When I visited a local computer repair store on the way to the county facility for electronics recycling, I had a choice of USB, wireless and PS/2 keyboards.
And I found a Logitech PS/2 keyboard for about $15 which, frankly -- is just great for my needs. I'll spend $100 on a keyboard and/or $50 on a mouse when I replace my Belkin with a $400 DisplayPort/USB KVM. Maybe in several months -- but not now.
===== PREVIOUSLY ======
I'd posed the question previously in "General Hardware," and the moderator -- for decent, good reasons, moved it to a "software" forum. I was asking about shareware that would reset or recover a screwy keyboard or mouse connection. This was important, because I'm using an old KVM (PS/2) switch with USB conversion. When a system goes to sleep, or there are similar changes and I'm switching between computers, some mouse functionality is lost.
Particularly among any lost features is the feature that allows the mouse wheel to scroll a web-page, or the feature using a mouse-wheel click to put a little "compass" on the display so you can scroll through a PDF by dragging the mouse.
So I stumbled across a forum post (another web-site) by some old DOS veteran (I also have the distinction) to explain this is all resolved by pressing six keys at once:
LEFT-CTRL/LEFT-SHIFT/LEFT-ALT together with RIGHT-CTRL/RIGHT-SHIFT/RIGHT-ALT.
I said in the thread I started that I'd post results if I found it worked.
It works. It works great.
Moderator wanted to use the expression "old KVM" in the title. I don't entirely object, but I've made some recent observations.
Looking for alternative upgrade options to this old Belkin PS/2 4-port KVM, my biggest desire or priority is to become "4K-ready" for one or more systems under my desk. Typically, I have my server (which doesn't need "4K" any time soon), and two very similar workstations. The "4K-ready" options that are both forward-looking (to DisplayPort) and have four available ports/computer-connections are priced above $400 -- currently. Lesser options in the $200 +/- range (for four-port) mostly deploy DVI, VGA -- possibly HDMI connections for video. These particulars are peripherally relevant to the issue, but it provides a background.
The Belkins (I have two, one perfectly good in storage) work great after 20 years use. I've been able to bridge the gap between the PC's, the keyboard and mouse with converter plugs/adapters or the Y-splitter that connects to one PC USB port. What I'd noticed all along: When returning to this or that PC, one must hold the mouse button down for a second to watch the keyboard lights signal that the connection is entirely re-established. Otherwise, dragging the mouse will cause pop-up menus or randomly open desktop items -- even change the size of desktop icons (has happened often enough that I take these precautions.) Holding down the mouse button for a second has been an entirely reliable means of dealing with this behavior, so that the unwanted consequences are entirely avoidable. Let me emphasize that word: "Entirely."
Other times, I'd notice a partial loss of mouse functionality if I need to reboot a system or it reboots on its own for some scheduled activity or Microsoft Updates, and the PC in question isn't currently selected on the KVM. I may have experienced occasional behaviors with key-press repeat, or an occasional lost character. For the most part, these things seem to evaporate if I apply the remedy explained below in the original thread post.
About the designation "old KVM." During my search for prospective replacements of the Belkin, I've poured over customer-reviews of newer DVI/USB and even HDMI/USB KVMs. What I discovered is that many of these symptoms or behaviors I've described can be found in the "Cons" section of Newegg customer reviews.
And this is in regard to fairly new KVM models -- some priced in the $175 to $200 range. The two-port models can range from $70+ to nearly $100. Those are the models most common at resellers like the Egg, and I've only seen a couple 2-port/2-PC options with HDMI. Most of those offerings are limited to 1920x1200 resolution; manufacturers insist that they "recommend" 60Hz refresh-rates, and won't venture to say either way what would happen with 120 Hz.
It would seem that users who need to use a KVM or prefer to use it for the obvious reasons, should be able to circumvent the behaviors that are common to both "old" and "new" KVM switches. There is not much trouble in executing a simultaneous press to six keys -- right and left Shft-Ctrl-Alt. You will train your fingers to do it easily.
But it's comforting -- whether for "old" or "new" KVMs -- that you'd have the full functionality of your mouse scroll-wheel, or that you can avoid unpleasant behaviors on switching between computers. And certainly, we'd like these transitions between selected computers to be quick and easy. Personally, if some feature or behavior falls short, I'm willing to live with some initial key presses to assure tip-top operations.
I think that's probably an acceptable response to minor imperfections in a niche product like a KVM switch -- OLD . . . or NEW. Some knowledgeable Anand veterans have actually expressed puzzlement as to why we might like to use KVMs, but enough folks have posted on the KVM topic that there is some subliminal demand for it.
KVMs will always lag behind the video technology as long as it continues to change. USB to PS/2 conversion or vice-versa is a fairly simple thing, is fairly well established with these Y-cables and converter plugs. I've got USB mouse connected to my KVM with a plug that fits the back of the Belkin at the PS/2 (mouse) port; I've got a PS/2 keyboard connected directly to the KVM at its own PS/2 port. I've got the Y-cables connecting double PS/2 cables to a single USB port of two out of three computers. The third -- a server -- still has PS/2 ports, and believe it or not -- for a lack of an appropriate cable between computer and KVM, I actually have a PS/2 to PC-AT connector patched to an AT-to-PS/2 cable. That's the most trouble-free connection of all three machines!
It will soon be time to part with my beloved Belkin boxes, or put them aside for some usage needed in a pinch. But it's probably worthwhile to know that you can klooge together parts of dated technology and actually get it to work this well.
Perhaps the test of reliability is the use of keyboard and mouse for games as opposed to a directly-connected joystick or controller. Do I "win" the race in GRID2? Most certainly -- I do.
And a few days ago, with a prospect of cleaning a grungy, kruft-ridden PS/2 Logitech keyboard, I decided I wanted to remove it for cleaning. I also decided that the keyswitches were fairly worn down. When I visited a local computer repair store on the way to the county facility for electronics recycling, I had a choice of USB, wireless and PS/2 keyboards.
And I found a Logitech PS/2 keyboard for about $15 which, frankly -- is just great for my needs. I'll spend $100 on a keyboard and/or $50 on a mouse when I replace my Belkin with a $400 DisplayPort/USB KVM. Maybe in several months -- but not now.
===== PREVIOUSLY ======
I'd posed the question previously in "General Hardware," and the moderator -- for decent, good reasons, moved it to a "software" forum. I was asking about shareware that would reset or recover a screwy keyboard or mouse connection. This was important, because I'm using an old KVM (PS/2) switch with USB conversion. When a system goes to sleep, or there are similar changes and I'm switching between computers, some mouse functionality is lost.
Particularly among any lost features is the feature that allows the mouse wheel to scroll a web-page, or the feature using a mouse-wheel click to put a little "compass" on the display so you can scroll through a PDF by dragging the mouse.
So I stumbled across a forum post (another web-site) by some old DOS veteran (I also have the distinction) to explain this is all resolved by pressing six keys at once:
LEFT-CTRL/LEFT-SHIFT/LEFT-ALT together with RIGHT-CTRL/RIGHT-SHIFT/RIGHT-ALT.
I said in the thread I started that I'd post results if I found it worked.
It works. It works great.
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