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General discussion

KVM switch problems

Jan 28, 2004 3:33PM PST

operating systems - Win XP Pro + Linux (various 9.xx releases)
Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with built in cabling.F1DK102P
Cordless Logitech Desktop Pro key board and mouse.

Connecting the hardware together as per the manual, and booting either (or both) machine(s), the keyboard and mouse will not respond. The KVM is connected to the PS/2 ports and the keyboard and mouse are connected with USB to PS/2 connectors to the switch.
One sytem connected alone will operate fine, the problem is only apparent when both machines are connected. The monitor output is not effected but cannot switch between machines. The cables on both sides of the switch work fine and are not damaged in any way. The switch is 1.5 months old. I am using default MS drivers for the mouse and keyboard, configured as standard/generic MS devices under linux. I am not using any Logitech software to control either device, Belkin says not to.

When I first installed the switch there were no problems switching between the two machines. I have rolled back the configurations to make sure there are no other programs or drivers that were not present when the switch was first installed. Also with both machines connected the keyboard is unresponsive in the BIOS setup.

I have seen a reference to a similar problem attributed to a grounding problem (diagnosis for this problem made by Belkin) on a forum on the web, but this was for a different switch a while back.

I opened the switch to make sure there were no internal broken leads, connections, or visible shorts. This most likely means a can't send it back to Belkin should it prove to be an otherwise unsolvable problem, oh well.

I sent an e-mail to Belkin support but have yet to hear from them, so I ask you all here.

Discussion is locked

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Re:KVM switch problems
Jan 28, 2004 5:00PM PST

Sounds like if the warrenty is still good then send it back. I bought an IO Gear kvm about a year ago and it's still humming along. It's selling at $40 and sometime $30 on sale.

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Re:KVM switch problems or rather BELKIN KVM switch problems
Jan 28, 2004 8:09PM PST

Yes, I've seen that. We replace the KVM with one that works. I use KVMs all over and if it breaks (or has a defect) then you replace it.

The short run of this is that you need another KVM to see if yours is dead. You need to hook up KB/Mouse directly to machines to test if the machines failed in some way.

Bob

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Re:KVM switch problems
Jan 28, 2004 11:50PM PST

I have a Belkin Omnicube I bought about 3 years ago and it works flawlessly. I have bought them for other clients in the last 1.5 years and have found the performance is NOT up to what I expect. In many systems the mouse will not work, sometimes the problems you describe crop up immediately or within a short period of time.

The belkin switches used to work perfectly, but I have found their quality be quite lacking in the last year.

Get it replaced under warranty, and don't give up until you get one that works without fail.

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Re:KVM switch problems
Jan 29, 2004 3:30AM PST

Well thanks guys. Thats what I figured I'd have to do.

I am 100% percent sure that it's not a problem with the keyboard, mouse, monitor or either of the machines. And as either side of the switch works when connected on it's own, it's not the cables or the connectors. Must be some problem inside the switch on the PCB board.

It's a shame that the quality of some companies products goes down after a while. I bought this based on their reputation, and now I have to rethink this in the future.