KVM problems

[pal]

Hi Folks,

Just lashed out on a new mini ($800 here in Australia), and am a bit miffed that it isn't working like the service tech said it would... I especially asked before I bought it to make sure to...

I have a transportable office out the back for my part time computer business, and on the desk have 3 pc's; One IBM compatible running Windows, another IBM compatible running Linux, and now my new Mac Mini with OSX. Just beyond the desk, is my workbench, where up to 4 other PC's can be in various stages of disrepair at any one time

For some time I've been using a 4 port PS2 KVM switch, and to go with the new mac, got an adaptor to take the PS2 keyboard & mouse output from the KVM and turn it into a single USB plug. I was assured that there was no reason it shouldn't work, but when I plugged it all in, the mac couldn't see either the mouse or the keyboard.

I only got the mac up & running by cracking open a new usb mouse and keyboard I had lying around. So now, I have 2 keyboards and 2 mice on the desk, 1 set for the mac, and the other for everything else, and no spare usb on the mac. Most disapointing...

Am I stuck with this now, or is there another solution?

 

[hondagus87]

i tried the ps2 to usb adapter for the keyboard and mouse, but gave up because the macmini I have only recognized it once in a while. I went with a kensington usb keyboard, usb logitech mouse, and a usb kvm switch and it works perfect.

 

[hangtown]

There's a ps2 -> usb adapter known as a Y mouse (http://www.xkeys.com/ymouse/whym08.php) which I guarantee works. You might have different luck with a different kvm as well. Some kvm's are better at others at handling things. But my kvm with a Y mouse to go from ps2 connectors on the kvm cable into one usb connector on the mac mini works great.

BTW, my mouse is usb (a microsoft optical mouse) so it also has a usb -> ps2 connector on it to be able to connect to the kvm input cable. Everything works fine.

 

[Meyvn]

If NOTHING else works, you could always get the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard set. That would solve half your problem for sure; you'd have freed USB ports again, but still be missing desk space.

 

[pal]

Solved

I got it working!

While the mac was busy loading a webpage, I snuck around the back of the desk and yanked out (figuratively ) its mouse and keyboard connections, and stuffed the usb'd ps2 alternatives back in...

It complained a bit about not knowing what was happening, but after a couple of clicks in the auto-configuration screen, they both worked.

Perhaps there is some differance between normal operation, and the first time it gets switched on from new?...

For now at least, I'm happy. I hope hondagus87's comment about intermittent operation does not forbode ill for my future!

Thanks for your suggestions,

Pal

 

[pal]

...
I hope hondagus87's comment about intermittent operation does not forbode ill for my future!
...

neye: It did.

Fine for a day, then dead again.

[sigh]...

 

[rberry88]

It's time to abandon the PC line of thinking that the PS/2 connection is the answer. PS/2 connections are crap (pardon my language) but the USB connection for everything will be alot better in the long run.

Adopt or deal with it.

Just my 2 cents

 

[hangtown]

That's an interesting philosophy. I've seen plenty of flaky usb devices in my time (usb comes and goes) but never seen that with any ps2 device. I'm not arguing the merits of one over the other except to point out that in my experience your statement is 180 degrees off reality.

 

[dtravis7]

That's an interesting philosophy. I've seen plenty of flaky usb devices in my time (usb comes and goes) but never seen that with any ps2 device. I'm not arguing the merits of one over the other except to point out that in my experience your statement is 180 degrees off reality.

I kind of agree with you in a normal situation, but here with a KVM, the USB route should solve his problem. For a PC, when I can, I still use PS2 devices. One advantage is keeping all the USB ports free for some other hardware. Some though on tech sites have sworn that mice under USB seem different when gaming. Not sure about that one though.

Let us know what you end up doing to get a KVM to work. I think going all USB might be the best way around your problem.

 

[pal]

Small reality check here...

The group of computers used with this kvm is mostly of the intel / amd / imb compatibile variety, and some of them have no usb option due to age and configuration. I'm not going to upgrade my entire fleet of machines because the mini won't play ball with a ps2 kvm...

Secondly, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the keyboard, mouse, kvm switch, cables or anything else. They all work perfectly in every configuration that doesn't involve the mac.

Now if the mac "NEVER" worked with the rest of the rig, I could put it down to a compatibility issue and (begrudgingly) leave it at that. But the fact is, that it DID work PERFECTLY for a whole day, through a couple of cold boots as well just to prove a point.

I realise that it must be an anathama to say so on a mac forum and all, but the empirical evidence tends to suggest that it is the mac that is flaky, not the rest of the hardware.

My current thinking is to **** the mac off out of the office because it seems that it won't be worth the trouble its causing there, and stick it in the tv cabinet in the lounge. Then it can have its own dedicated usb cordless keyboard trackball combo, and a dvi to composite adaptor. I have an old 802.11b access point I can plug into it so it can still hop on the wirless network in the house to access broadband.

Can anyone see a fatal flaw in this plan, before I burn any more cash on it?

Regards,

Pal

 

[hangtown]

I wish I knew what to tell you. I would seriously see if you know anyone with various kvm switches and ps2 to usb adapters for going from the kvm cable on the 2nd kvm output port to the usb port on the mac and see what works.

What keyboard, mouse, kvm, and ps2 -> usb adapter are you using? I really think it's just a combination of the wrong hardware. I have no issues with my non-usb kvm switch, my Y-mouse ps2/usb adapter (see my first post), and my microsoft keyboard and ms optical mouse whatsoever.