rec.autos.simulators

by **Tim** » Sun, 26 May 2002 05:25:39

Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the
wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own.
So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side,
pretty simple.

The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical
switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported.
Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one.
Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks.

by **Michael Barlo** » Sun, 26 May 2002 20:47:10

I'm not sure why you want to do this...(?). But I'm sure you have
you're reasons or I don't understand what you're doing. Any case, if you
just need another monitor, you could buy a used computer system, maybe a
$20-$30 dollar 486 and use it's monitor.

--
DAMN IT! Someone set up a LAN event
in or near the Fingerlakes region of NY

by **Stuart Becktel** » Sun, 26 May 2002 23:07:21

He wants to use a KVM to save space. All he needs is cables coming from the
two machines to the KVM, and then from the KVM to the keyboard, mouse, etc.

> I'm not sure why you want to do this...(?). But I'm sure you have
> you're reasons or I don't understand what you're doing. Any case, if you
> just need another monitor, you could buy a used computer system, maybe a
> $20-$30 dollar 486 and use it's monitor.

> --
> DAMN IT! Someone set up a LAN event
> in or near the Fingerlakes region of NY

> > Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the
> > wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own.
> > So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side,
> > pretty simple.

> > The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical
> > switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported.
> > Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one.
> > Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks.

by **Stuart Becktel** » Sun, 26 May 2002 23:10:12

I'm not an expert, but it seems like an electrical one is required,
otherwise it is just a small combined AB box. IF you are just going to use
it for a monitor, then just save your money and get a AB VGA box.
Also, make sure you can return the KVM, my dad got one and while it works
sometimes, it can crash machines (wierdly enough) if you put stuff in in the
wrong order (it was also cheap as all heck.)
-Stuart Becktell

by **<somecallme..** » Mon, 27 May 2002 00:42:39

I use on both at work and home and both work fine. The one at work is a 2
output belkin electronic one (faster switching) about 80) an the one at
home is a 4 output one which cost 60 inc cables). They are well worth the
space sving if like me you have 4 pc's under your desk!

Some Call Me Tim

by **Blak** » Mon, 27 May 2002 09:37:20

I have one and it works great, it does Monitor, mouse and keyboard.. It plugs in but I found it works not plugged in also LOL

| Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the
| wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own.
| So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side,
| pretty simple.
|
| The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical
| switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported.
| Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one.
| Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks.
|

by **jason** » Mon, 27 May 2002 12:40:14

Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM
switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90.
Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse
and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2
adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs,
not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the
cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or
manually hit the button.

Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace
Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM
switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything
digitally.

Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over
800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass
CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. ->
http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html

At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup ->
http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html

You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that.

jason

by **Larr** » Mon, 27 May 2002 12:41:30

I'm interested in these too.

I have a spare bedroom that's my 'Lab', and it has 6 computers in it.

Having one monitor for all the servers would be nice since I never touch
them except for weekly maintenance.

-Larry

> I'm not sure why you want to do this...(?). But I'm sure you have
> you're reasons or I don't understand what you're doing. Any case, if you
> just need another monitor, you could buy a used computer system, maybe a
> $20-$30 dollar 486 and use it's monitor.

> --
> DAMN IT! Someone set up a LAN event
> in or near the Fingerlakes region of NY

> > Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the
> > wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own.
> > So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side,
> > pretty simple.

> > The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical
> > switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported.
> > Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one.
> > Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks.

by **Goy Larse** » Mon, 27 May 2002 18:28:45

Not to mention that those cheap mechanical ones will greatly reduce the
picture quality if you're running high resolutions and may cause
instability to your OS when you switch from one computer to the next as
it's causing interference which is sometimes interpreted as a partial
keystroke or mouse click

At the very least go for an electronic one

Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy

http://www.theuspits.com

"A man is only as old as the woman he feels........"
--Groucho Marx--

by **Tim** » Tue, 28 May 2002 10:39:01

Jason,

Thanks for taking the time to answer with this detailed response.
I appreciate your help!

by **Gerald Moo** » Wed, 29 May 2002 22:00:51

Absolutely second his recommendation for high quality VGA cables if
you want to use higher resolutions or refresh rates. Otherwise your
"picture" will look like total crap.

http://www.networktechinc.com/

I have had good success with cables from these folks.

I have a Belkin Omnicube KVM that is OK. It's the only one I've ever
used so I have nothing to compare it to, but I've had no problems.

Gerald

> Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM
> switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90.
> Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse
> and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2
> adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs,
> not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the
> cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or
> manually hit the button.

> Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace
> Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM
> switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything
> digitally.

> Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over
> 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass
> CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. ->
> http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html

> At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup ->
> http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html

> You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that.

> jason

by **Blak** » Fri, 31 May 2002 16:45:50

Mines electronic and cost 55 bucks

| Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM
| switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90.
| Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse
| and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2
| adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs,
| not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the
| cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or
| manually hit the button.
|
| Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace
| Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM
| switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything
| digitally.
|
| Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over
| 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass
| CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. ->
| http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html
|
| At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup ->
| http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html
|
| You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that.
|
| jason
|

by **Tim** » Sat, 01 Jun 2002 22:14:29

> Mines electronic and cost 55 bucks

What do you have and where did you get it?

Tim

> | Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM
> | switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90.
> | Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse
> | and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2
> | adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs,
> | not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the
> | cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or
> | manually hit the button.
> |
> | Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace
> | Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM
> | switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything
> | digitally.
> |
> | Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over
> | 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass
> | CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. ->
> | http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html
> |
> | At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup ->
> | http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html
> |
> | You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that.
> |
> | jason
> |

by **Mike Kin** » Mon, 03 Jun 2002 20:30:53

I'm using a Linksys ProConnect KVM, and have had no problems with it. It
only supports two computers.

rec.autos.simulators

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?

KVM switches- any opinions?