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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: gunbuster363 on Mon, 19 August 2013, 05:55:37
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I just bought a new CM QuickFire XT keyboard from a local store.
Now I am testing the keyboard and it doesn't work with the kvm switch I am using ( KVM switch is a device which enable you to use the same monitor, keyboard, mouse between 2 pc ).
(http://www.aten.com/images/uploadImages/KVM-Switches/Cable-KVM-Switch/products/CS62U-Cable-KVM-Switches-OL-large.jpg)
How to use the kvm switch: press scroll lock twice to switch between pc
Problem: I connected the new keyboard to the kvm switch but it doesn't work with PC A. Every single keys have no response except scroll lock. If I press scroll lock several times ( pressing only twice doesn't work in this case, maybe delay ), the screen switched to PC B, and then at the same time the keyboard are working perfectly.
If I press scroll lock twice and switch to PC A, the keyboard won't work except the scroll lock key.
What I tried:
- Reboot several time.
- There are no driver for the KVM switch ( Aten CS-62U )
- There are no driver for the keyboard also
- The keyboard works perfectly if I plug it into PC A directly. But not with the kvm switch.
Now I am thinking of return again.... the previous mechanical keyboard I own have no this issue ( Ducky zero 2108 )
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The problem seems to be solved... for now. The driver were not installed correctly in windows 7....
I tried to uninstall the default driver provided by windows in Device Manager. Then windows recognized a unrecognized device ( my keyboard ) and started searching for driver by itself. I wait for some minutes then the keyboard works!!
:thumb:
All Hail mechanical keyboard!
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Glad you were able to solve it. Cause there are many keyboard/kvm horror stories that didn't end as well as yours.
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I had a Trendnet one, advertised to work with a double ScrollLock keypress, just like yours.
Didn't work.
Turns out you needed to double-press... NumLock.
Worked perfectly between Linux boxes. Wouldn't have worked with a TKL keyboard without NumLock, but luckily I didn't have one at the time.
But... It didn't work with a Mac. Why? Macs do not switch on/off the NumLock LED. The KVM was not looking at the keystrokes. It was looking at the LED state...
I have more stories like this one.
Bottom line: KVMs mean LOADS of problems. Whenever possible, avoid them like the plague.
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Yes I agree that an extra vulnerable point is bad idea, however, my job require two pc but the company only provided one monitor and a kvm switch so I have no choice.
Lucky me that the keyboard is alright.
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Bottom line: KVMs mean LOADS of problems. Whenever possible, avoid them like the plague.
Factual bottom line that is not hyperbole and crap:
Don't buy a $30 piece of crap fake KVM if you actually want something that #@&*ing works. Cheap input switchers are cheap because they are utter crap, without exception. Actual KVMs do not have these problems. I have never had these problems on an Avocent or Rose.
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Bottom line: KVMs mean LOADS of problems. Whenever possible, avoid them like the plague.
Factual bottom line that is not hyperbole and crap:
Don't buy a $30 piece of crap fake KVM if you actually want something that #@&*ing works. Cheap input switchers are cheap because they are utter crap, without exception. Actual KVMs do not have these problems. I have never had these problems on an Avocent or Rose.
I agree. Moreover, even relatively expensive KVM switches can be problematic. I had two rather expensive two 2-port DVI KVMs from Gefen that gave me problems. Now I have three Iogear GS1104 4-port DVI KVMP switches, and they have worked flawlessly for the past year. Although they are somewhat expensive (250 USD each), and I use them only for keyboard, mouse, and audio (I do not use the DVI video feature), it is worth it to me to have KM switches that work every time as intended.
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Simply get one of the good old "manual" KVM switch boxes...
[attachimg=1]
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I agree. Moreover, even relatively expensive KVM switches can be problematic. I had two rather expensive two 2-port DVI KVMs from Gefen that gave me problems. Now I have three Iogear GS1104 4-port DVI KVMP switches, and they have worked flawlessly for the past year. Although they are somewhat expensive (250 USD each), and I use them only for keyboard, mouse, and audio (I do not use the DVI video feature), it is worth it to me to have KM switches that work every time as intended.
Gefen is overpriced crap - you're paying for the name, and not actual quality. I mean seriously. They sell this (http://www.gefen.com/kvm/ext-dvi-gi.jsp?prod_id=11003) and you think their '2 port KVM' is legit? Uh, abso-frigging-loutely not. It's pretty much the same damn thing as LinksKey and StarTech sell, in a different chassis. In other words: utter crap. (And don't even start on galvanic isolators. Seriously. I am intimately familiar with the correct application thereof.)
So, as I said: Avocent or Rose or GTFO. Avocent's "low end" 4 port SwitchView starts at about $300 - and it's VGA! A proper, actual, not Chinese knockoff junk DVI-DL extender with external power runs into the hundreds of dollars. And you think you're gonna get a working two port DVI-DL KVM for $300? HA!