KVM Boxes

Factual Questions
1

I’ve used these were I used to work but we always had the expensive fancy type.

I’ve been pricing them online and see a couple of the cheaper models by Trendnet.

I’ve read the online reviews which tend to be mixed. I only need to combine my two desktops with new Flatpanel monitor. I guess I could use the VGM for one and the HDMI for the other but then I still have to deal with two mouses and two keyboard. I’m not a fan of wireless keyboards/mouses

Anyway any recommends? I’ve check out the local computer stores and Best Buy and their only in store KVM boxes are in the near $100 which is too fancy for my needs

Thanks

[Note to mod: This may be better placed IMHO please move if appropriate]]

2

There are several two-port VGA/USB KVM switches at Newegg for around twenty bucks. And an alternative is to use Remote Desktop Connection or something similar to access one computer from the other, without spending any money on hardware.

3

I saw those, have you had first hand experience with them?

As I said, when I was a system admin, I used KVM boxes but these were huge and expensive. I am always suspicious that something so cheap will work decently :slight_smile:

4

I loved mine, but it stopped working after a few months. Worse, for some reason my machine wouldn’t boot while it was plugged in. I finally took it off and the machine started booting again.

I haven’t plugged it back in yet to see if it might have been a temporary glitch. For now I don’t need it.

5

I have 2 KVMs:

  • an old Raritan SwitchMan (model SW4). I used it for probably 8 years. It is 100% reliable. Unfortunately it does not support HMDI and only has PS/2 connectors.

  • a new Avocent SwitchView DVI. I bought it after getting a new hi-def monitor. It is terrible. If you shut off the monitor, it stops working completely. If you reboot a computer without that computer selected in the KVM, it stops working for that computer. I know how to work around its bugs but I wouldn’t recommend it.

I tried to research HDMI KVMs a few months ago when I bought the Avocent SwitchView. My impression is there aren’t affordable, reliable HDMI KVMs. If you find something good, please let us know.

6

I doubt you will find something cheap that is reliable. The Avocent SwitchView was $211 and it stinks. KVMs need to simulate the presence of a keyboard and mouse for the inactive computers. If the simulation is not done correctly, the inactive computers will freeze. With HDMI it becomes even more complicated.

7

I use D-Link 4 port KVMs (D Sub VGA + USB keyboard + USB mouse). They’re pretty good.

But really, with only two computers, it may be better to have two keyboards and two mice. The trick to avoiding confusion is to ensure that each is a different colour: one system has a black keyboard and black mouse, the other a white keyboard and white mouse.

8

Yeah I am thinking you’re probably right. One of them is a super fast machine I got for a bargain, and I use it when I want to do some messing with DVD manipulations and such. I was just kind of looking to reduce some clutter.

Thanks for the opinions so far :slight_smile:

9

I am reviving this thread to say I found the Belkin DVI KVM and it really works. I have 3 computers sharing a monitor (with DVI connections), mouse, and keyboard. I have been switching between the computers for the last couple of days and there have been no freezes or need to reboot.

Here is a detailed review: http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=646

It is available on Amazon for $163: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI & USB KVM Switch

10

Is there a specific reason you need a KVM switch?

I remotely manage upwards of 50 PC’s on the plant floor, with RealVNC, and don’t bother with a KVM at all. Even for some machines in the same room as me.

11

I frequently have to load/configure PCs that go into our products.

I have a Belkin KVM that seems to work nice, and makes everything fit in my workspace.

Well, it would, EXCEPT that it has PS2 mouse and KB ports. For the last 6 months or so, the PCs we are shipping no longer have PS2 ports, only USB.

Since the PS2 connectors seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate, I’d suggest you look for a KVM that uses USB keyboard and mouse. It seems to me that they should be able to do this with only one USB connector to each machine, freeing up one USB port on each.

12

I am using a Belkin Flip 2-port USB model right now which was under $50 at Microcenter. It doesn’t need external power (like my first two), and includes a switch button. (I have another that responds to a hotkey sequence from the keyboard.) The audio version is more. It has worked reliably over the last year except maybe once or twice when I had to power down and restart the computers to reset everything, but it is generally very robust against unplugging live connections and whatnot.

13

Has anyone had a recent good experience with a USB/DVI KVM and docking stations? I have an Iomega KVM with a desktop machine and a Thinkpad T60 docking station hooked up. Most of the time, when I drop the laptop into the dock, the desktop machine locks up. I haven’t fully troubleshot it yet, but it seems to help if I switch over to the laptop channel first and maybe once the desktop came back to life. My guess is that there’s some change in electrical load when I dock the laptop that freaks out the desktop. Or the KVM. Anybody have a similar setup and not that problem?

14

I’ve been using remote desktop in W7. I’d prefer a KVM but when you start using multiple monitors and want to use DVI connections rather than VGA (I thing DVI is much sharper), it gets really expensive.