KVM Help

[TwiceSliced]

I have a D-Link DKVM-2KU KVM switch (VGA, PS/2, USB), and it will only work if at least one of the PS/2 cables is connected to a computer that is powered-on. Furthermore, if one channel is only connected via VGA and USB and neither of the PS/2 ports are being used, then the device will not switch over to that channel.

Is there some kind of (powered?) PS/2 device I can plug the cables into so that the device will work as a VGA and USB-only switch? Any ideas?

I generally have some combination of a PC, a Mac, and a Dreamcast hooked-up to it, so I need one that will be able to work in even a VGA-only environment... Which is why I'm hesitant to purchase and try D-Link's KVM-221 KVM switch (VGA , USB, audio).

As it stands, if I want to use the Mac or the Dreamcast, I have to have the PC hooked-up and turned on.

Suggestions? Anyone?

 

[engiNURD]

... I need one that will be able to work in even a VGA-only environment... ...

Mini KVMs such as those are powered off of the USB/PS2 ports. You'll want a KVM with its own power adapter, which are typically 4+ port KVMs.

 

[TwiceSliced]

Unfortunately, those look to be prohibitively expensive. You sure there's no simple way to hack something together to provide power over one of the PS/2 ports? Like an existing device that might do the trick?

I guess it's research time for me... Thanks for the input!

 

[engiNURD]

I'm sure you can come up with something... here's the power specs and pinout:

Power Specifications:
Vcc = +4.5V to +5.5V
Max Current = 275 mA

Pin Out:
Pin1 = Data
Pin2 = Not Connected
Pin3 = Ground
Pin4 = Vcc (+5V DC @ 275 mA)
Pin5 = Clock
Pin6 = Not Connected

 

[TwiceSliced]

Thanks! I may go ahead with such a project when I can find some more spare time, but for now I ended-up going with one of these: http://byteccusa.com/product/adapter/UPS-102/UPS-102.htm While it doesn't give me video-only switching, it does free from having to rely on any kind of PS/2 connectivity on the devices.

The only downside so far is that it has revealed that my Mac doesn't seem to work with the KVM switch when it comes to initialising video... So I still need to turn something else on first, or plug the monitor directly into the Mac; at least I don't have to keep a PS/2-ready device connected and powered-on to us both channels anymore.