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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: orange on July 02, 2006, 12:54:58 PM

Title: KVM switch?
Post by: orange on July 02, 2006, 12:54:58 PM
would it be possible to use PC KVM switch with Amiga keyboard (and Amiga mouse)?
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: keropi on July 02, 2006, 01:04:22 PM
dunno about that. but a digital kvm I tried, could not sync at amiga's 50hz pal-aga...
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: Piru on July 02, 2006, 01:29:05 PM
Well, if you think it for a moment: Most (if not all) KVM's use PS/2 connectors. So you would need to make the amiga keyboard/mouse talk PS/2, and then make PS/2 keyboard/mouse talk amiga again.

Only after you manage these problems (it should be possible as both converters exist) you can start thinking if it would work.

I know a friend who used PC keyboard/mouse in such setup, he had: pc keyboard / pc-mouse <-> kvm <-> ps2toamiga <-> a4000. It was quite flaky with this setup already.
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: Jope on July 02, 2006, 01:37:14 PM
The problem here is, that most ps2->amiga converters (especially keyboard) don't work properly with intelligent KVM switches.. I guess the KVMs don't handle some command that the converter wants to send to the "keyboard" and then the converter thinks the keyboard disappeared..

If you find an ancient wires only KVM, that will work, as it's only connecting different ports together.

These adapters are claimed to work with KVMs, but you'll have to take their word for it.
http://www.mrhardwarecomputers.com/pages/mousekey.htm
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: orange on July 02, 2006, 05:33:04 PM
I thought the only difference between amiga and pc keyboard are some 'scancodes'? so, instead of using CTRL for switching, I'd just have to use some other key, eh?
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: adolescent on July 02, 2006, 05:52:28 PM
I have the Revanche LLC (same as sold to Mr. Hardware) RAMA and RAKA interfaces working perfectly through a Belkin KVM.  

PS2 Mouse/Keyboard -> Belkin KVM -> RAMA/RAKA -> A4000
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: ChaosLord on July 02, 2006, 06:21:03 PM
Ignore the doomsayers.

I have only ever owned 1 KVM switch.
It works perfectly sharing my 1 NEC MultiSync 75 Monitor + 1 PS/2 laser mouse + 1 PS/2 keyboard between my A1200T + BGCPC.

My A1200T in Elbox PowerTower came with PS/2 Keyboard support when I bought it.  I then added a Mr. Mysza PS/2 -> Amiga mouse adapter.

KVM switch is one of the best pieces of hardware I ever bought for my Amiga!  I wish somone had told me about them before!
 
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: Jope on July 02, 2006, 07:44:49 PM
Quote

orange wrote:
I thought the only difference between amiga and pc keyboard are some 'scancodes'?

No, the PC and Amiga keyboard protocols are totally different.. There wouldn't be much market for those adapters if you could solve the problem with a different keymap.
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: Doobrey on July 02, 2006, 07:53:14 PM
Quote

ChaosLord wrote:
Ignore the doomsayers.
 


You misread Orange's question.. he wants to use an Amiga keyboard and mouse with a KVM, not PS/2 ones, so Piru's correct (as usual) that you'd need adapters both sides of the switch.
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: alexh on July 02, 2006, 09:20:49 PM
I wish someone would write / port an Amiga equivalent of Win2VNC or X2VNC both are software KVM's for those who have a network and two monitors / dual input monitor.

I have 2x monitors and would love to use just the Amiga Keyboard and mouse.

I wonder if Olaf Barthel or someone like that could embrace a port of x2vnc?
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: Jope on July 02, 2006, 09:24:26 PM
Quote
alexh wrote:
I wish someone would write / port an Amiga equivalent of Win2VNC or X2VNC

Or synergy.. synergy2.sf.net

I use that at work, very nice.
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: dnelsonfl on July 02, 2006, 09:40:46 PM
Quote

orange wrote:
would it be possible to use PC KVM switch with Amiga keyboard (and Amiga mouse)?


Take Piru's advise to heart. I'm using a Belkin OmniView Matrix KVM with several PCs (Windows/Linux) and two Amigas. The KVM is PS2, so I have to use the PS2 adapters for my Amigas. For the most part, it does work fine, but every so often when I switch back and forth I lose the keyboard input. This happens on one of the Windows PCs, too, so it may not be an Amiga-specific problem. Before the Belkin, I used a "Zonet" 4-port KVM with the same results. It mostly worked, but every once in awhile it lost the keyboard input.

-David
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: alexh on July 02, 2006, 09:42:25 PM
Does Synergy support cut'n'paste between the two systems? Yeah, not bad...
Title: Re: KVM switch?
Post by: Jope on July 03, 2006, 06:44:54 AM
Quote

alexh wrote:
Does Synergy support cut'n'paste between the two systems? Yeah, not bad...

Yes.. Two, three, four, five, ... It synchronises the clipboards between all your machines.

Very nice and seamless.