USB switch? I need to control two computers.

ALXAndy

ALXAndy

ALXAndy

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Hi all. So basically I've got a PC on my desk and will be about to add a Hackintosh to the mix (down the side on the floor).

However, I've got a reasonably decent keyboard and mouse (Cherry G80 in white and a Steelseries something in white) so don't want to have to keep picking them up and moving them.

Does any one know if there's such a thing as a USB switch/KM-V?

I don't need it to switch the video as the monitor has more than one input (so I can run DVI and HDMI for example).

I just need something I can plug one keyboard and mouse into and then use it to switch between the two desktops.

Thanks.
 
I've not heard of such a thing but you never know.
Can't you get a cheap mouse and keyboard? I know it's more expensive and uses more space but just wondering
 
jimbaw said:
I've not heard of such a thing but you never know.
Can't you get a cheap mouse and keyboard? I know it's more expensive and uses more space but just wondering
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I have numerous keyboards. I just don't want to keep changing them all the time. Space is going to be tight once I take up the floor space with another pc.
 
Varsh said:
Why not just purchase a super cheap KVM switch and not use the video input on it?
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Do they have two USBs though?

Three would be nice, as I just bought an external SB XFI that may possibly work on the MAC too?

I've seen what is called USB switches on that auction site but they have the wrong connectors. They have the B end? or A end? so I can't see how I'd connect the kb etc.

I can always use another KB. Sadly it won't be anywhere near as good as my now beloved Cherry G80 (which I got for £40).
 
There are quite a few 2 port KM switches but they're always priced higher than a cheap KVM switch. You plug your mouse and keyboard into the switch and then you have a single USB going into one PC and the other USB going into the other PC. The problem obviously is that they share a single USB connector so you might get issues if you have a powered keyboard.
 
You're probably better off getting a second keyboard and mouse.
USB KVMs can be easily be purchased, but quite often they will only pass on the main functions of keyboards and mice.
 
Tomsk said:
You're probably better off getting a second keyboard and mouse.
USB KVMs can be easily be purchased, but quite often they will only pass on the main functions of keyboards and mice.
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My keyboard is about as basic as it comes. No programmable keys, no media functions, just a hardcore keyboard.

I don't use any of the software on the mouse either.
 
I believe there is a software solution called edgerunner. I have never tried it but stardock are always emailing me about it.
 
ALXAndy said:
Hi all. So basically I've got a PC on my desk and will be about to add a Hackintosh to the mix (down the side on the floor).

However, I've got a reasonably decent keyboard and mouse (Cherry G80 in white and a Steelseries something in white) so don't want to have to keep picking them up and moving them.

Does any one know if there's such a thing as a USB switch/KM-V?

I don't need it to switch the video as the monitor has more than one input (so I can run DVI and HDMI for example).

I just need something I can plug one keyboard and mouse into and then use it to switch between the two desktops.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have the same requirement, so I recently purchased an Aten CS1732B. It works a treat.

It has 4 USB ports. 2 of these are dedicated keyboard and mouse USB ports, so using them will install your keyboard and mouse as a generic "Aten Keyboard/Mouse" - meaning you won't be able to utilise any features unique to your setup, but it sounds like that's fine for you.
The other 2 USB ports (one on the front, one on the back) are standard 2.0 you can use for anything, so i'm using these for my keyboard and mouse instead as they're both Razer products and i still want to use them fully. In fact as the keyboard requires 2 USB slots (one for the keyboard, one just to power the backlights) i have the backlighting plugged into the dedicated keyboard port.

09005240.jpg


The switch costs costs about £70-£100 new, but you can pick them up cheap second hand on eBay. I only paid about £15 for mine. There are newer versions with DVI rather than VGA, but like you video switching isn't a requirement for me anyway.
 
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The best way to do it is like Sartorialism suggests but its not cheap - I used a CS1784A - one thing to be weary of is that analogue audio (won't affect a USB soundcard, etc.) tends to lose some quality through these things :S
 
Sartorialism said:
It has 4 USB ports. 2 of these are dedicated keyboard and mouse USB ports, so using them will install your keyboard and mouse as a generic "Aten Keyboard/Mouse" - meaning you won't be able to utilise any features unique to your setup, but it sounds like that's fine for you.
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You should be able to enabled pass through mode which avoids keyboard/mouse emulation - not sure how you do it on that unit but probably the same way as mine:

Invoke HSM by holding down num lock, pressing and releasing - on the numpad and then releasing num lock (keyboard LEDs will cycle) then press F10 to toggle between bypass mode on/off or N to toggle keyboard emulation (probably best reading up on what this does before doing it). Pressing F4 with a text editor having focus i.e. notepad with HSM invoked will spit out current settings into the text editor.

EDIT: The manual on that model is a bit different - looks like you need to use the OSD to change emulation settings - while it mentions keyboard bypass is doesn't seem to mention how to do it in the manual that I could find from a quick glance.
 
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