computer question: VGA/USB switcher

bigwaylon

bigwaylon

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Location
Charlotte
here's an example of the product I'm asking about:

USB 2.0 KVM VIDEO MONITOR VGA/SVGA SWITCH BOX 2 PORT

there are many options around...that one just kinda fits the bill for what I need to do...

situation:
2 PC's...one keyboard, one mouse and one printer...

pretty simple hookup...the printer/keyboard/mouse go into the inputs...and then the two monitor inputs and one output...

there's also a USB output that goes to each PC, which accomplishes two things:

1. provides power to the switcher
2. provides a link for the keyboard/mouse/printer for each PC


my one question...which I haven't been able to find out by reading the descriptions...if one of the PC's is off, will the unit still work?

it doesn't have an external power supply...it uses the two USB feeds for power...

I first thought about using a powered USB hub, which would satisfy the power needs, but then there's no connection to the other PC to provide the keyboard/mouse/printer use (duh)...

anybody have any experience with this setup?

Thanks.
Greg
 
Whay does the switch need power in the 1st place? Does it have soem kind of active circuit?
I'd assume it draws power from whichever unit it is switched to at that time - you wouldn't need to use it when "using" a PC that's off, right? So asl on gas one PC is on, it'll work. Just a guess.

Have you already bought this unit?
We use the IOGear Extreme KVMP boxes at work, and I love them. They switch everything, including sound and if desired, mu;ltiple monitors, and are hot-key switchable. Importantly, they also provide keyboard emulation to the PC that isn't being used at teh time, so that one "thinks" there's stil la kbd attached. This can be important w/ some windows background apps, and it keeps it from re-auto=detecting every time you switch back to the PC. Also kinda cool, you can specifically select to only switch the video and keyboard/mouse (usb) but not audio and USB peripherals, so say PC1 is streaming your tunes to you, you can have it going while using PC 2.
 
haven't bought it, yet...still looking around...

my main PC is normally off...but I'm buying a second one that is going to need to stay on 24/7, which I will normally never need a monitor/keyboard/mouse/etc...

I'll look into the unit you mentioned...as some of the other (more expensive) options also included all the cables I'd need...

I also saw some that provided power by PS/2 connection...

not sure what it needs power for...may to allow for the hot-switching or something? just a small amount of power to make something look "live"? (I'm completely making that up...just a guess)...

I've seen them to handle audio, 4-12 PC's, etc...but I just need something real simple for the random occasion I need to see the other PC running...

Thanks.
Greg
 
Use VNC or Windoze remote admin to access the server. It should never need the printer, and you can always offer it as a network share should the need arise. Or connect the printer directly to the server and go that way instead.

Then set the server to suspend after 30 minutes and wake on directed packet. No need for 24/7 operation, less dust infiltration in the case, hd/psu wear, etc.

A KVM would work, but the one you linked to is only any good for CRTs. The DVI ones run about $100 for an A/B.
 
saf-t scissors said:
Use VNC or Windoze remote admin to access the server. It should never need the printer, and you can always offer it as a network share should the need arise. Or connect the printer directly to the server and go that way instead.

Then set the server to suspend after 30 minutes and wake on directed packet. No need for 24/7 operation, less dust infiltration in the case, hd/psu wear, etc.

A KVM would work, but the one you linked to is only any good for CRTs. The DVI ones run about $100 for an A/B.
Click to expand...


What he's talking about I did with my linux server for Counterstrike back in the day. That's my recommendation.
 
well...it had been so long since I'd actually hooked up the PC at my house I forgot it was PS/2 keyboard & mouse instead of USB, so that no longer matters...(glad I looked before buying anything)

ended up buying this:

Belkin 2 Port KVM w/ remote

easy to "install"...and seems to work just fine...

store had it for ~$62, but the iPhone came in handy when I asked if they'd match their online price of $36.99...

they had another one with audio hookup...but didn't offer it online so I wasn't going to pay the ~$75 in-store price, since I'll never need the audio on the 2nd PC...

BTW...this is not used for a server...after reading many reviews, I decided to give the magicJack a shot...and most reviews said it worked better off a dedicated machine. I picked up a cheap PC off Craigslist for $40, and will only have the magicJack running on a USB port, nothing else. Probably won't be running it 24/7, as it'll really just be an outgoing line when I work from home (instead of tying up the home phone for 6-8 hours a day). It just came in the mail today, so I'll give it a couple weeks and come back with a "review" of some kind.

Thanks for the help...

Greg
 
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