Belkin KVM Switch Issues
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Posted by on June 5, 2008, 3:27 pm
Please log in for more thread options I just purchased a Belkin KVM switch in order to switch between two computers at my workplace. One computer is a very, very old Gateway (over 8yrs old) that runs Microsoft Server 2000. There is a program installed on that computer that my manager refuses to lose access to, which is why that computer isn't out in the trash by now. (We don't have the install CD for the program any more, and I can't find them for purchase.) Basically, getting rid of that computer is not an option, but our company software won't run on it, so that's why I needed to buy the new computer. The other computer is a brand-new Dell. I purchased a PS2 Belkin KVM switch even though the Dell only has USB ports, as I intended to use PS2-to-USB adaptors to plug the cables into the Dell. When I try to use the switch, the old Gateway functions just fine. When I switch to the new Dell and try to boot it up, it gives me a keyboard error, and the keyboard won't work. Does anyone have any ideas about what I might try to get the switch working? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk on June 5, 2008, 9:49 pm
Please log in for more thread options well, it's blatantly obvious what you can try. Try booting the gateway up alone. Try booting the Dell up alone. Connect them to the same port so it is a fair test. Is it still the case that one boots and one doesn't? Now less obvious.. I would now ask what is the difference between the Dell and Gateway, in relation to the KVM. I would consider 5V SB, and PSU. And your USB-Ps2 adaptor. PSU- If it is safe to change the power supply of a or the Dell, for another PSU that works with the KVM e.g. the one from the gateway, then do so. 5VSB- Is 5VSB coming out of one and not the other. 5VSB can confuse KVMs. 5VSB is the voltage that comes out the machine when it's off. Some machines are set to do this. It can be on ps2 and/or usb. Not sure a good way to test this. It's easy to test with a ps2 keyboard in a ps2 port. The lights of a ps2 keyboard flash immediately when it is plugged in. I can't remember how to test for USB 5VSB. You do it when the computer's off. See if you get a light from the equipment. Some equipment lights up as soon as it is plugged in. Maybe the bottom of an optical mouse.. Or a USB torch if you have one. I have tested with a multimeter before too. USB-PS2- Is the USB-Ps2 adaptor working. Try using the Dell with it, without the KVM switch. (It is a small one, right? The big ones can need drivers, and would prob not be right for this) I don't know if it makes a difference, but where have you put this adaptor. Have you put it in the dell machine, or in the KVM switch ? (it would depend of course on the gender of it.. I would guess you put it in the Dell. So a female ps2 sticks out the dell. (for you to plug the ps2 cable in) Those are probably more common). If you put it in the KVM switch, It could be that the ps2-usb adaptor and KVM switch are picky and not working nicely.. You could test it by using your Working Gateway machine with the adaptor. Try using the adaptor with the Gateway. See if it works with it. If it doesn' t have a USB port, then you could use a ps2-USB adaptor in the gateway. To get a female USB thing sticking out of it. Then you could do it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by kony on June 6, 2008, 2:15 am
Please log in for more thread options On Thu, 5 Jun 2008 12:27:19 -0700 (PDT),
LakotaSilver@gmail.com wrote: >Hello,
> >I just purchased a Belkin KVM switch in order to switch between two >computers at my workplace. > >One computer is a very, very old Gateway (over 8yrs old) that runs >Microsoft Server 2000. There is a program installed on that computer >that my manager refuses to lose access to, which is why that computer >isn't out in the trash by now. (We don't have the install CD for the >program any more, and I can't find them for purchase.) Basically, >getting rid of that computer is not an option, but our company >software won't run on it, so that's why I needed to buy the new >computer. What does "our company software won't run on it", mean exactly? Does it run NT, Win98, (surely not WinME?) or Win2k? Is the problem that the old OS won't run the software (or so you believe) or that the old spec of the system is too slow or undercapacity to do the job? I ask because it is not only possible, but likely the existing installation can be migrated to a newer system, naturally that would include the critical software. However, I would question the wisdom of relying on a software for your business that you can't even reinstall, it seems like a bad risk that needs resolved before anything else happens, NOW while you have a chance to migrate and test a few options rather than later when there is a halt to operations because the old system gave up and died all of a sudden. Basically I feel these two issues need addessed, that your goal of using the KVM is not going to be a viable solution. >
>The other computer is a brand-new Dell. > >I purchased a PS2 Belkin KVM switch even though the Dell only has USB >ports, as I intended to use PS2-to-USB adaptors to plug the cables >into the Dell. > >When I try to use the switch, the old Gateway functions just fine. >When I switch to the new Dell and try to boot it up, it gives me a >keyboard error, and the keyboard won't work. > What kind of adapter is this you are using? It's not necessarily true that you can adapt this. How about a USB KVM (AFAIK all Gateways from even 12+ years ago had USB (ver 1 at the time) instead, or putting a PCI or PCIe PS2 card in the Dell? At what point does it give you a keyboard error? Before starting to boot the OS, during boot, or when practically finished? I suspect the adapter just isn't compatible, you might try another adapter, though I don't know if it'll then work. >Does anyone have any ideas about what I might try to get the switch
>working? Connect the PS2 keyboard from the Gateway directly to the adapter and see if the Dell can use that. If not, it seems to rule out using the PS2 KVM like that. I still suggest you do what is necessary to move away from depending on the old system with no way to recover from the inevitable loss of it... it WILL be replaced eventually, the only question is when and whether you are ready for it or are scrambling to recover from that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk on June 6, 2008, 7:28 am
Please log in for more thread options On 5 Jun, 20:27, LakotaSil...@gmail.com wrote:
<snip>
> I purchased a PS2 Belkin KVM switch even though the Dell only has USB > ports, as I intended to use PS2-to-USB adaptors to plug the cables > into the Dell. > Are you trying to say that you want to plug a ps2 keyboard into a USB port on your computer? Or rather.. You are trying to pliug a ps2 keyboard into a device(KVM) where it comes out still as ps2.. Then adapt that connector to USB. (that's the same thing. ps2 to usb) That won't work with the small adaptors. And don't use a big adaptor. You want a small one.. But ps2 keyboards don't support USB. USB keyboards do support ps2 or USB. So here is what you do. This is your KVM.. x x x x Y where x x x x are where computers can connect and Y is where the keyboard video and mouse connecto. The place where you plug the keyboard in. i.e. At Y. You should use a USB Keyboard instead of a ps2 keyboard. Then use a USB-PS2 adaptor at Y. Now that input signal will be compatible with usb and ps2. IT will come out the KVM at the x points. You can then use a ps2 to usb adaptor. at X. You are foolish for not trying the adaptor on the other computer. You would have helped yourself to narrow down more where the same problem is. That it is not with your computers. Nevertheless, the problem is as described.. I have seen it myself. Once can demonstrate the problem you face completely, by removing the KVM switch completely. It is no doubt a classic problem. I ran into it myself.. Take a Ps2 keyboard. Plug it into a USB adaptor and into a computer. IT WILL NOT WORK Now if you had done any troubleshooting, you'd have noticed that. Now here is the interesting one. Take a USB keyboard, plug it into a usb-ps2 adaptor(that works), then plug that into a ps2-usb adaptor. That will still work. So that proves that the ps2-usb adaptors do work. The issue is as mentioned.. You need to use a USB keyboard in order to convert If you had done basic troubleshooting, just trying the ps2-usb adaptor on both computers, with no kvm there. Then you might have presumed that these ps2-usb adaptors don't work. But a google of usenet might have picked up the handful of times the issue described has been written about. So yes, you can get this to work. Use a USB keyboard at point Y. You are using a ps2 keyboard at point Y. That is your mistake. It's a bit easier than described, since I don't need to say point Y.. There is only one place on the KVM you plug a keyboard. Just like there is only one place you plug a "video" and mouse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk on June 6, 2008, 7:37 am
Please log in for more thread options On 6 Jun, 12:28, "jameshanle...@yahoo.co.uk"
<snip>
Your subject suggested that it was because it was Belkin.. So I amended it. You would have seen this issue with any KVM.. It's not even a KVM issue. But people seeing the thread's subject, would think this was specifically a Belkin KVM switch issue. BTW, I have heard bad things about Belkin KVMs. Did you look at reviews e.g. on newegg before getting it? Your troubleshooting is dire.. That was your main mistake... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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>
> I just purchased a Belkin KVM switch in order to switch between two
> computers at my workplace.
>
> One computer is a very, very old Gateway (over 8yrs old) that runs
> Microsoft Server 2000. There is a program installed on that computer
> that my manager refuses to lose access to, which is why that computer
> isn't out in the trash by now. (We don't have the install CD for the
> program any more, and I can't find them for purchase.) Basically,
> getting rid of that computer is not an option, but our company
> software won't run on it, so that's why I needed to buy the new
> computer.
>
> The other computer is a brand-new Dell.
>
> I purchased a PS2 Belkin KVM switch even though the Dell only has USB
> ports, as I intended to use PS2-to-USB adaptors to plug the cables
> into the Dell.
>
> When I try to use the switch, the old Gateway functions just fine.
> When I switch to the new Dell and try to boot it up, it gives me a
> keyboard error, and the keyboard won't work.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas about what I might try to get the switch
> working?