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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Everblue on December 01, 2009, 07:02:00 AM

Title: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: Everblue on December 01, 2009, 07:02:00 AM

I would like to connect an A4000T and PowerMac G4 (morphos baby!) to the same monitor, keyboard and mouse. These are the keyboard connections I use:

A4000T:

Mouse: PS2 via Micromys
Keyboard: PS2 via Lyra 2
Monitor: VGA via Picasso IV

PowerMac:

Mouse: USB Mouse (connected directly to keyboard or to USB)
Keyboard: USB Keyboard
Monitor: VGA via DVI convertor

Assuming that a KVM setup between the above units is even possible, what kind of adapters and KVM do I have to get?

Cheers!

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: Fingers on December 01, 2009, 10:30:40 AM

Maybe a bit overkill, but this should work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Belkin-Omniview-F1DA104TEA-4-Port-PS-2-USB-KVM-aua_W0QQitemZ110463571556QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Input_Peripherals?hash=item19b8245664

PZ.

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: Everblue on December 01, 2009, 10:34:08 AM

I wonder if a PS2 to USB keyboard adapter will work with the Mac?

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: ferix on December 01, 2009, 10:37:32 AM

Well... I think the only option is to "degrade" your G4...
I mean, use one of these http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.478 for the mouse & keyboard, and one of these http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8312 for the VGA.
Then, you can use this KVM: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.718
And don't forget to buy the cables: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10109
 
The USB to PS2 is pretty compatible, as the DVI to VGA.
And the final bill should be as follows:
 
USB to PS2: $2.95
DVI to VGA: $1.90
KVM Switch: $12.33
KVM Cabling (2): $10.8
Total: $27.98
 
Not so bad ;)
 
Note: I wrote "degrade" because DVI in some cases is better than VGA...

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: ferix on December 01, 2009, 10:45:15 AM

Quote from: Nostromo;532054

I wonder if a PS2 to USB keyboard adapter will work with the Mac?

I'm sure It works. I use a G3 with a PS2 to USB adapter at work.
You only need to load the propper keyboard map, as a normal keyboard.

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: Everblue on December 01, 2009, 10:51:49 AM

Ah thats great :) - last question, it says auto switching - if I have both machine switched on, how would I switch between?

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: Fingers on December 01, 2009, 11:04:35 AM

Auto-switching KVM switches still have a select button, so no worries there :)

If they didn't, you could not switch between more than one powered-on machine...and that would be pretty useless...

PZ.

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: ferix on December 01, 2009, 11:06:25 AM

There are two possibilities, quickly pressing a key twice, or pressing the KVM button.
The key to press depends on the KVM. Usually Crtl or Alt.

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: Everblue on December 01, 2009, 11:12:05 AM

Ah great. /me places order.

Title: Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
Post by: alexh on December 01, 2009, 04:42:50 PM

If you have two monitors (or one monitor with dual inputs) and a network you can use a software KVM between the Amiga and the PowerMac

Use the Amiga keyboard and mouse to control the PowerMac.

I've been doing something similar for years and hey it's free.

Edit: But if you've already bought the hardware to convert PC keyboard and mouse to Amiga then an ordinary KVM may be better.