Re: ps/2 mouse problem with KVM switch

From: Marko Macek (Marko.Macek_at_gmx.net)
Date: 02/13/04

  • Next message: Nicolas Mailhot: "Re: JFS default behavior (was: UTF-8 in file systems? xfs/extfs/etc.)" 
    Date:	Fri, 13 Feb 2004 18:55:43 +0100
To: Robert White <rwhite@casabyte.com>

    Robert White wrote:
    > Note that the KVM Switch (typically) implements an intermediate "device" for
    > the mouse so that when you are switched away to the other machine, the first
    > machine is still "talking to something".
    >
    > This has the less-than-desireable effect of causing the mouse device "inside
    > the switch" to act as a largest-common-denominator. Consequently many of
    > the special features and peculiarities of your real device may not be
    > accessible to your computer.

    Well, under 2.4 they all work, probably because the settings for both
    systems are the same.

    > A particular, and bette-documented, example of this can probably be found by
    > trying to hook up a "new-fangled" keyboard (with the media control key
    > cluster across the top and such) to your windows box. When the keyboard
    > drivers cannot find the special buttons and you call the KVM switch vendor
    > they will promptly tell you about how all those hot extra buttons are not
    > supported with their product, have a nice day, good-bye... 8-)

    I have a Microsoft internet keyboard and the keys all work. I guess MS
    is big enough to be supported. (not that I use any of the keys). I
    haven't tried others.

    > The same things go four your mouse, but are not as well documented and
    > accessible to the KFM help desk weasels.
    >
    > You should find that if you select a "much more generic" mouse configuration
    > "everything works fine".

    Yes, "bare" works. But I want my wheel to work.

    > Some newer windows drivers "look past" the switch and activate the mouse
    > features anyway.
    >
    > Regardless, if your "other" computer is initializing the mouse through
    > voodoo and dark magic to increase the reporting (baud?) rate and such, when
    > you toggle to the Linux box you will see all sorts of unhappiness. The
    > inverse is also true, if the windows driver is expecting
    > fast-and-feature-full and the side trip to Linux has set things back to
    > mundane, the return to Windows will be "exciting"

    I can see this would be a problem. I just haven't figured out the right
    rate, ... settings yet.
    >
    > (My optimal configuration that saves heartache)
    >
    > 2-Port plasma flat panel
    > DVI port connected to my primary use machine
    > VGA port connected to my KVM

    I plan to to that when I upgrade my monitor. My current one doesn't have
    2 inputs. I'd still prefer one mouse and keyboard.

    Regards,
    Mark

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  • Next message: Nicolas Mailhot: "Re: JFS default behavior (was: UTF-8 in file systems? xfs/extfs/etc.)"