[plug] Redhat + KDE + key/mon/mouse switch: mouse deconfigs?

[James Elliott]

Hi Bret

I am interested in your comments because I use a 2-port KVM switch (D-Link)

So far I have had no problems with Linux or Win98, but recently noticed the
occasional hiccup with WinXP - keyboard errors etc.

I remember reading the pamphlet that came with the switch and that anomalies
can occur if yo move the mouse or hit a key within so many milliseconds of
switching, otherwise the D-Link switch emulates the mouse and keyboard to
the 'offline' computer.  I can only speak for D-Link, and a programmer
friend with a mechanical switch and 5 Linux boxes had trouble and has
replaced his switch with a D-Link.

I might persevere with the KVM switch as space is limited in my case, but
count to "1" or "2" before touching anything after switching computers.  I
will let you know how it goes.

James Elliott

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bret Busby" <bret at busby.net>
To: <plug at plug.linux.org.au>
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 9:31 AM
Subject: Re: [plug] Redhat + KDE + key/mon/mouse switch: mouse deconfigs?


> On Tue, 24 Sep 2002, Denis Brown wrote:
>
> >
> > Dear PLUG members,
> >
> > The following from a colleague.  I have done google'ing, altavista'ing
and
> > so forth.  Closest I come is the suggestion that "some cheap kvm
switches
> > give this problem.  I have no idea what breed of kvm switch my colleague
is
> > using but any thoughts would be valued!
> >
> > "I have 2 PC's on my desk connected with 1 keyboard/mouse/monitor via a
> > 2-port switch box (press the button to switch between boxes).
> > 1 Box in WinXP, which works fine, and the other is Redhat 7.3. If I use
> > the WinXP box for an extended period (more than an hour or so), when I
> > switch back to the Redhat box, the mouse operation is all over the
> > place, and I cannot use KDE. If I can manage to quit KDE, then re-start
> > a fresh KDE session, then the mouse is OK.
> > I have seen similar problems before when I have the wrong emulation set
> > for the mouse - but this is odd as it initially works fine. Is there a
> > timeout setting that checks mouse connectivity that might need adjusting
> > here? I am guessing that after a set time, Redhat assumes the mouse is
> > missing and drops the emulation function. When I then switch back to the
> > box, it sees hardware it knows nothing of in effect, and is unable to
> > 'plug & play'.
> > (The mouse is an MS IR Intellimouse)"
> >
> > I've seen references to timeouts and mice but only in the context of
> > 3-button emulation.   I guess one option is to forget the kvm switch and
> > just run something like VNC (server) on the XP and use the RH box
natively
> > and as the VNC client for the XP.
> > TIA,
> > Denis
> >
> >
>
> I think the problem is the switchbox.
>
> We used a switchbox here, to share a monitor and keyboard between two
> computers, and between three computers. From time to time, the keyboard
> would not respond, and the monitor display would go wonky. When we
> simply stopped using the switchbox, the problems disappeared. Best to
> just get the extra peripherals, and use one for each computer.
>
> --
> Bret Busby
> Armadale
> West Australia
> ..............
>
> "So once you do know what the question actually is,
>  you'll know what the answer means."
> - Deep Thought,
>   Chapter 28 of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
> - Douglas Adams, 1988
> ....................................................
>
>
>