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Author Topic: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac  (Read 2057 times)

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Offline EverblueTopic starter

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KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« 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!
 

Offline Fingers

 

Offline EverblueTopic starter

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Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2009, 10:34:08 AM »
I wonder if a PS2 to USB keyboard adapter will work with the Mac?
 

Offline ferix

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Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« Reply #3 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...
« Last Edit: December 01, 2009, 10:43:10 AM by ferix »
[Master of puppets I\'m pulling your strings  
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Just call my name, \'cause I\'ll hear you scream]
...
We are The Borg.
Lower your shields and surrender your ships.
We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own.
Your culture will adapt to service us.
Resistance is Futile.

 

Offline ferix

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Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« Reply #4 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.
[Master of puppets I\'m pulling your strings  
Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams  
Blinded by me, you can\'t see a thing  
Just call my name, \'cause I\'ll hear you scream]
...
We are The Borg.
Lower your shields and surrender your ships.
We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own.
Your culture will adapt to service us.
Resistance is Futile.

 

Offline EverblueTopic starter

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Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« Reply #5 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?
 

Offline Fingers

Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« Reply #6 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.
 

Offline ferix

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Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« Reply #7 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.
[Master of puppets I\'m pulling your strings  
Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams  
Blinded by me, you can\'t see a thing  
Just call my name, \'cause I\'ll hear you scream]
...
We are The Borg.
Lower your shields and surrender your ships.
We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own.
Your culture will adapt to service us.
Resistance is Futile.

 

Offline EverblueTopic starter

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Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2009, 11:12:05 AM »
Ah great. /me places order.
 

Offline alexh

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Re: KVM between A4000T and PowerMac
« Reply #9 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.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2009, 04:47:04 PM by alexh »