Gateway Anykey Keyboard Problem

[pgc]

I have, and love, an old Anykey programmable keyboard, with a large 5-pin circular DIN connector, which I adapt to the smaller 6-pin (PS/2) connector.  I just got a KVM switch, Cables-to-Go model 35555.  When I press a key that has text stored in it (like my email address), I get inconsistent text entered in whatever program I am using.  I could press the key three times, but get slightly misspelled versions.  This happens regardless of whether it is a web site form, Word, or Notepad.  I didn't happen when I didn't use this KVM.  It doesn't happen when I type my fastest (I did a test where I typed a certain string of keys at about 30 keys per second (I play piano), and there is never a problem through the KVM this way. 

The KVM accepts my PS/2 connector, but uses a regular USB A to USB B printer cable to connect to my computer (a new Win 10 64-bit PC that I put together myself.)
I tried studying the topic, but I haven't figured it.  I love the programmability feature, and have never seen an equal. 

I do not think the keyboard or KVM are defective.  I think there is something about them being used together that is the issue.  I picked this model because I wanted to use a PS/2 keyboard and USB trackball.  I bought used to keep the price down.

Please help me.

[suicidal_orange]

Interesting problem, It's probably just a KVM issue but they are so handy...

How quickly does this magic text appear, are you sure 30 keys per second is fast enough? (I'd hope it would be, but you never know!)

Also can you post a really long string (100 characters?) multiple times with the errors?  Not sure it will help diagnose the problem but there could be a pattern.

[pgc]

The text appears right away, as it should.  My fast typing test was to see if the speed of the text going to the keyboard (from a programmed key) was too fast.  I don't know whether it matters how fast I type.  I'm typing keys that are simple text (a-z, A-Z, the period, the "@" symbol, etc.), so it shouldn't be a matter of key codes not being understood.  They are a simple string, not even key combinations (i.e. not CTRL_ALT, or SHIFT_ENTER). 

The strings are about 10-30 characters long, well within what the computer handles without the switch.  I had no problems on both an Win XP or 10 PC, when the switch was in use. 

The main symptom is that characters of the string are missing.  Sometimes I see extra characters, or a repeat of some keys.  Here is a demo of results when I press a key that is supposed to print "Peter Casparius"
Peter Cpariuaris
Peter aspar
s
Peter Cparsipaus
Peter aspar
s

I am really stumped.  Your site seems to have the most knowledgeable keyboard people I know.

[chyros]

I think it might well be the KVM not keeping up. I own lots of keyboards with macro keys (the Anykey is one of the few I'm still missing actually) and even the cheapest, crappiest ones don't show this phenomenon. Generally macro boards release programmed characters at high speed (8 ms delay) and the KVM might be getting mixed up or lose info as a result.

It might be that you're entering it too fast as well. Does it work when you do it slowly?

[pgc]

Though I haven't attached an oscilloscope to the keyboard's output, the speed in which I type when I record a macro seems to have no effect on the speed at which the macro sends data to the computer.  I looked through the Anykey documents, and other articles about it, and there seems to be no speed adjustment.  The first KVM that I bought (PS/2 for mouse, PS/2 for trackball) had no macro problems.  However, it didn't work reliably with the trackball, nor with switching between computers.
The trackball is really USB, but I used a USB to PS/2 adapter (no IC, just wiring inside, and made by the trackball mfr.)  The trackball with it's adapter never had trouble when used without any KVM. I had to look hard to find a KVM that said it was for both PS/2 and USB, that wasn't over $40 (my wallet limit for KVM.)  I don't know how to solve it. 
I don't want to conclude that I have no solution.

[chyros]

So, just to be clear, what exactly are you using the KVM for?

[pgc]

I have an old XP PC, and a new Win 10 PC.  I copied my user files to the new computer.  There are some programs that don't work in Win 10, so I want to use the old PC for them.  I want the desk space to have only one keyboard and one mouse.  I want the KVM to let me have one or two computers on, and pick which computer is connected.

I looked in the keyboard's and KVM's documents, but found nothing on adjusting speed for macros (for the kbd), or for handling fast data (for the KVM).

[chyros]

Have you got any PS/2 keyboards that you can test it out without the KVM?

[pgc]

As I said in the Nov 22 post, "I had no problems on both an Win XP or 10 PC, when the switch was in use. "  This is the same keyboard that has trouble with the KVM. 

[pgc]

I learned from the KVM mfr. (Cables to Go, a.k.a. C2G), that they have no solution.  They said, "It does appear to be an issue with the speed of the data from that macro that is causing the issue.   Unfortunately, we are not able to adjust the timing in that KVM. "

Unless a GeekHack hero rescues me, my plan is to give up on using the KVM.  I will have to crawl under my desk when I need to use the Win XP PC.

I think it would be great if a great programmable keyboard was designed with the ability to act as a KVM.  Oh well, at least I won't have to deal with computers in heaven!

Thanks, everyone who read and tried to help.