KVM switches
 

I need to connect a Win 98 and Xp machine to use one monitor, keyboard and mouse. Any of you techies got any advice/recommendations before I take the plunge. Thanks in advance.

Re: KVM switches
 

Use one of the fully integrated models, they come with all the cables you need, they dont need any external power and are a damn site cheaper in most cases.

Re: KVM switches
 

I have a Linksys ProConnect KVM (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s....html?LIN-KVM2) works a treat with my XP & 98SE systems. As ZrByte says, no power or extra cables needed!

Re: KVM switches
 

Exactly like the belkin one I used to have :)

Re: KVM switches
 

We use Belkin ones at my current employer - work fine :tu:

Re: KVM switches
 

We use Adderview - try a Google.

Re: KVM switches
 

I use a Vista by Rose Electronics (4 port) and it works fine

Re: KVM switches
 

http://www.linksys.com/products/prod...prid=99&scid=0 on mine, was a W98 / WXP, now S2k / WXP, just press scroll lock twice and you switch machines.

Does requires PS2 connections on keyboard and mouse though, so I begged on here for a replacement USB to PS2 wiget and solved that problem.

Re: KVM switches
 

Exactly like the belkin one, I only found one machine this wouldnt work with. It would switch to this machine but wouldnt switch back again. Though one machien out of over 20 tested isnt bad :) especially since this particular machine had been known to be flaky.

Re: KVM switches
 

I'd be a tad careful with PS/2 to USB convertors - some KVMs don't like them. Also, the KVMs I've encountered all had problems with the stiffness of the cables - would dislodge the mouse/keyboard connectors at the slightest movement.

Re: KVM switches
 

Thanks for all the help, ordered the linksys one.:)

Re: KVM switches
 

My MS Optical mouse came with a USB on the end and a green thingy that you plugged into it to turn it into a PS2. I lost the PS2 thingy. It works great, just it is all a bit snug.

Re: KVM switches
 

Yeah - I use the green PS/2 convertor on my PC. Bit of pain when it comes to safe mode - Windows 98 doesn't detect the mouse. Bit of a nightmare when dealing with a newbie over the phone :disturbd:

I once had a row with a customer over USB KVMs - he wouldn't accept that his convertor just wouldn't work. I explained that he could just use the KVM for K and V and have separate mice. He wanted a USB KVM. I explained that I'd never heard of one. After about half an hour of debating it, he accepted that the mouse would have to be PS/2 or else use separate mice.

Re: KVM switches
 

There ARE USB Switching KVMs but they are expensive (Around the £140 mark)

Re: KVM switches
 

I thought there would be - made sense - but I wasn't going to tell him that :D We (my company) don't supply them and wouldn't support one.