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KVM Switch - for PS2 2-Port
Looking for reliable, inexpensive (under $60) 2-Port KVM Switch for PS2.
Want: 1. Switch via switchbox button as well as keyboard hotkey. 2. Accommodate Linux, Win 9x, Win 2000, Win XP 3. Reliable a. I've read that some KVM switches use the keyboard (only) for switching and that they may not accommodate Linux. b. I've read that come KVM switches require a special adapter to run with Linux. c. I've read that some KVM switches are susceptible to the order that the 2 PC's boot, or which PC (if any) is turned on. d. I plan on running 1024x768. I've heard that higher resolutions require higher quality (shielded) KVM video cables. I'd prefer a unit whose default video cabling is shielded (et al). e. 1 to 2 second keyboard/mouse freeze between switches is okay, but significantly longer is not. Unsure whether to get KVM Switch that includes audio. I plan to normally not have the audio connected to the KVM switch. This way I can listen to a CD on 1 PC, and still get the sounds from the other PC. However, I may occassionally wish to connect audio on both PC's to the KVM Switch. Therefore, since the extra cost is only moderate, I'd prefer that the KVM Switch optionally allows the user to includes audio in the switching. I'm considering: BELKIN 2-Port KVM Switch with Audio Support and Built-In Cabling, PS2, Model F1DL102P BELKIN 2-Port KVM Switch (no Audio), PS2, Model F1DB102P StarTech 2 Port StarView KVM Switch with Audio, StarTech.com ID: SV211KA The StarTech model is more expensive, but if feedback says that is much more reliable than Belkin, then this is what I'll go with. Request feedback, references to website reviews et al, and recommendations on other (alternative) KVM Switches. |
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I use a Belkin 2-port KVM Switch (no audio) but the model name on mine
is F1DJ102P-B. It happens to appear in a review on my site: http://www.bobulous.net/imho/shuttleSB51G.html I'm pretty happy with it, given the low cost and its usefulness, but I don't think anyone considers KVM switches perfect. Being a PS/2 port device, Windows will not detect a keyboard or mouse unless the switch points to Windows during the entire Windows boot process. Which is frustrating. FreeBSD (and I imagine Linux, but you'd better check) couldn't care less where the switch points, it'll still find the devices. Screen output quality seems very good for me at 1280x1024 @ 85Hz, but above that frequency starts to look poor. Very occassionally the switch will send a keystroke or mouse-click twice. This is only irritating for me, but could be dangerous for use in critical applications. Overall, though, a switch proves invaluable for users with several old systems lying around that they still use. In fact, my only problem with this one is that I need a 4-port switch now. (And they tend to be more expensive than I can stretch to.) Of course, you should look for reviews on the Web for yourself, to find out which features you feel are most valuable to you. -- Bob London, UK echo Mail fefsensmrrjyaheeoceoq\! | tr "jefroq\!" " |
#3
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On Fri, 28 May 2004 20:46:55 +0100, Robert Downes
wrote: I use a Belkin 2-port KVM Switch (no audio) but the model name on mine is F1DJ102P-B. It happens to appear in a review on my site: http://www.bobulous.net/imho/shuttleSB51G.html I'm pretty happy with it, given the low cost and its usefulness, but I don't think anyone considers KVM switches perfect. Being a PS/2 port device, Windows will not detect a keyboard or mouse unless the switch points to Windows during the entire Windows boot process. Which is frustrating. FreeBSD (and I imagine Linux, but you'd better check) couldn't care less where the switch points, it'll still find the devices. That may be true for your KVM, but isn't the case with all PS/2 type, some do emulate a PS/2 keyboard and mouse to the extent that windows is fooled when those devices aren't switched to the booting system, though I often disable "detect PNP monitor" so when the monitor isn't detected, windows doesn't revert to using a PNP monitor INF (driver) instead of continuing with the correct model-specific INF. Screen output quality seems very good for me at 1280x1024 @ 85Hz, but above that frequency starts to look poor. True, I can get around 100Hz pretty good though it seems that if you're looking carefully the extra cable length affects all of them... might not be as bad if any used very high quality integrated cables opposed to plug-in type, but it seems that those with integrated cables are only low-end, less than best cables possible. |
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