Switching Keyboard/Mouse between Computers using a USB Hub

[o_o]

Hi,

I have two computers that I would like to control from a single monitor/keyboard/mouse. Only one of these computers would be running at a given time. Since the monitor has two inputs and it automatically detects which input is working (i.e. has a signal) so I don’t have a problem there.

So the problem remains with the keyboard and mouse. Since both of these are USB, I'm thinking of buying this Transcend USB Hub (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0J2-0031-00001) and only switching the USB hub between the computers i.e. I would have to manually unplug the USB Hub from one computer and connect it to the other. My question is: Would this work?

I should mention that both of the computers only have USB 2.0 ports and my keyboard and mouse seem to be USB 2.0 too. Would I have compatibility issues with this USB 3.0 device? I want USB 3.0 because I would like to use this for other things in the future.

By the way, by using a USB Hub, I would have to switch two cables instead of one. I know that this is not a big benefit, but a family member insists that it should be done that way. Also I don't want to buy KVM switches because they are more expensive, and I'm not going to be switching the monitor from them.

Thank you,
O. O.

 

[BOOGY_DOG]

If your devices and hub are only USB2.0, they'll work with USB3.0 ports but you won't see the benefits of USB3.0.

By running everything through a USB hub like the one you listed, you'll only need to swap one USB cord each time, I'm not sure where you are getting 2 from. You plug the mouse and keyboard into the hub "in" ports, then one USB cable leaving on the hub's "out" port.

Personally, I think you're making a HUGE mistake by going with any setup that would have you manually moving cables around. It's just terribly unnecessary in today's day and age. I use this KVM switch, only a few bucks more than the hub you linked to, and it works perfectly. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817107417

I run my mouse and keyboard into the two USB ports, and simply leave the video plugs unused. All I need to do to switch between PC's is double-tap my scroll lock key, and within a second my mouse and keyboard are now working with my other computer.

 

[o_o]

If your devices and hub are only USB2.0, they'll work with USB3.0 ports but you won't see the benefits of USB3.0.

By running everything through a USB hub like the one you listed, you'll only need to swap one USB cord each time, I'm not sure where you are getting 2 from. You plug the mouse and keyboard into the hub "in" ports, then one USB cable leaving on the hub's "out" port.

Personally, I think you're making a HUGE mistake by going with any setup that would have you manually moving cables around. It's just terribly unnecessary in today's day and age. I use this KVM switch, only a few bucks more than the hub you linked to, and it works perfectly. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817107417

I run my mouse and keyboard into the two USB ports, and simply leave the video plugs unused. All I need to do to switch between PC's is double-tap my scroll lock key, and within a second my mouse and keyboard are now working with my other computer.

Thank you BOOGY_DOG for confirming my setup would work. I'm also sorry for the typo in my original post i.e. I meant what you said above i.e. by using a USB Hub I would have to swap one cord instead of two.

I agree with you that I would not get USB 3.0 benefits, but with only a keyboard and a mouse, I don't think you would see a difference. I'm buying a USB 3.0 hub, because I think I would be able to use it for other things in the future.

Finally, I forgot to mention that I'm not in the US, so this KVM switch is not available in my local channels. I know I may be able to get it online, but in my country these things are very unreliable.

Thank you again BOOGY_DOG
O. O.

 

[BOOGY_DOG]

One other thing I could suggest that may or may not make life easier.

You got your USB hub, and run it to a USB switch, like this one - http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-...TF8&qid=1445542032&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+switch

So you have 1 USB cord going into that USB switch. The USB switch has two USB cords coming out of it, one to each computer. You press the button on your switch, and it will swap between the two computers.

In my experience, with the very switch linked, this can be unreliable. Maybe the USB 3.0 version works better, but sometimes I would need to switch twice to get it to work or replug in my mouse, but it will likely save you time over manually swapping cords.

 

[o_o]

One other thing I could suggest that may or may not make life easier.

You got your USB hub, and run it to a USB switch, like this one - http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-...TF8&qid=1445542032&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+switch

So you have 1 USB cord going into that USB switch. The USB switch has two USB cords coming out of it, one to each computer. You press the button on your switch, and it will swap between the two computers.

In my experience, with the very switch linked, this can be unreliable. Maybe the USB 3.0 version works better, but sometimes I would need to switch twice to get it to work or replug in my mouse, but it will likely save you time over manually swapping cords.

Thank you very much BOOGY_DOG I did not think about adding USB switch. I hate buying another device, but it seems what I am looking for.

Thanks again,
O. O.

 

[Cerb]

I've been using this one for over a year, now, at work. Sometimes I have to switch back and forth a couple times, slowly, because they are nothing but switches, and the devices may need time to completely turn off (inside, it is nothing but a mechanical 4P 4T or 5T switch assembly, on a PCB), but it's not a major headache.

 

[o_o]

I've been using this one for over a year, now, at work. Sometimes I have to switch back and forth a couple times, slowly, because they are nothing but switches, and the devices may need time to completely turn off (inside, it is nothing but a mechanical 4P 4T or 5T switch assembly, on a PCB), but it's not a major headache.

Thank you Cerb I'm not in the US, so I cannot find the part you have mentioned in my local channels, but I would consider something similar.