Compras Nikon Bluetooth |
A one-year warranty and free technical support are included.
1) Dell Dimension 2400 2.8 GHz, Windows Xp Professional
(1 month old).
2) Home built Linux computer with all brand new parts(1week old).
3) Dell Dimension 4100 866 MHz (3+ years old)
Monitor: Dell 2001FP
Mouse: COMP USA branded PS2 optical Mouse.
Keyboard: Dell PS2 Keyboard that came with the Dimension 2400
computer.
Right out of the box I started having problems. I would loose the signal from the Keyboard and Mouse. I would be able to switch between computers two or three time, and then I would loose the mouse and meyboard signal. After a lot of troubleshooting and just short of sending it back I replaced the new Keyboard with my oldest PS2 keyboard, that originally came with the Dimension 4100, and all of a sudden all my problems went away. Evidentally this KVM does not like the new Dell Keyboard.
I've been using the old keyboard for a day and so far so good.
The picture quality on my 2001FP monitor seems sharp on with all three computers. I do not perceive a loss in picture quality.
Unfortunately, their good name doesn't transfer to their other product lines. First, the video cables were M-F rather than M-M like most other switches so I had to buy new cables just for this thing. Second, after hooking up all the cables, I see how awkward it is to place this on a desktop with cables sticking out in 3 different directions (same complaint as another reveiwer). Third, the switch's hot keys would not switch between computers - instead, it would just rotate my screen 90-180 degrees! Forth, I called Linksys support and after about 5 "please wait while I look something up" I got transferred to their sales department and they said I had to buy their cables. After I told them that was unacceptable, they offered to sell me a new router... Ugh! I'm returning this POS as soon as possible.
This is an easy to set up thing, and I love the ability to switch between systems with the keyboard. However, like the other fellow stated in here, the plugs are MALE VGA. Most of us probably are converting from older equipment, which had female AT and VGA plugs. This has Female PS2 and MALE VGA plugs, as well as female PS2 Mouse plugs. ...You'd save half of that if you only have to convert the VGA plugs. However, one important note, the Plug that goes to your main Monitor is a standard Female VGA plug, so you don't need an adapter for that.
When assembled (especially with the gender changers), the thing takes up a huge amount of space because the plugs are mounted on the side. If you plan on switching manually it will take a serious effort to keep all the cords hidden. But rest assured the keyboard switching method works just as well as the manual one. Simply hit and release, one at a time, the ALT, CTRL, SHIFT, Computer Number, and ENTER. Switches over like magic. So you can easily hide the whole thing behind your desk now (which is probably better anyway).
There is even a LAST/NEXT mode but that doesn't make a lot of sense since the keyboard is locked until you get out of that mode.
At any rate, if you're using an older switch, and notice Ghosts appearing on your screen (windows which have their white or brighter areas showing shadows of nearby window objects), this will fix your problem, but be prepared to spend a bit on gender changers. You may want to go ahead and just switch the entire cables out for new ones, but that could be a lengthy process depending on your setup, but only a bit more expensive than all the gender changers you'd need.
...
Sorry I won't be able to tell you how well it works now I've got to spend more money on cables.
So far, I'm really Dissappointed.
If you don't need these, it's a nice box, but if you EVER need them, you'll keep cursing it until you replace it.
The cabling is a different story. Why the switch has ports on three sides I don't know. This isn't a big issue for me as I just slide it behind my desk and use the Hot Keys. Since I have not had a problem with the Hot Keys I have not needed to use the Manual button on the switch itself. For this reason behind my desk fits fine.
All in all, It works!!
That said, I would like to point out one of the most irrating physical features of this KVM as well as others that are designed like it. It places connectors attachments on three sides. Even with nice molded cables from startech.com, this configuration results in an 3-sided octopus like cable management problem. For those with limited desk space (or floor space) this is not a good solution ~ maybe you will mount it to your wall! I actually mounted this monster to the bottomside of my computer cart to keep it and the associated cables out of the way. I must lowly rate any KVM that uses more than 1 side for cable connections and attachments since one of the objectives is to reduce waste of working space with redundant keyboards and mice.
Additionally, although the Logitech optical mouse usually always responds whenever the keyboard also works, I've found on many different occasions that the 'Hot key' controls, [the ALT-CTRL-SHIFT-#-ENTER sequence], sometimes does not respond with PC's in certain operating conditions. This is especially true when ACPI or powersaving modes are in use on some PC's. To overcome this frustration it is necessary to manually cycle through the connected PC's with the one button (which slightly sticks sometimes). This is inconvenient compared to the KVM's with fixed buttons for every connected PC.
If I had to choose another KVM for a small office, I would choose a KVM having physical buttons for each PC connection and also having all cable connections on one side - namely the back.
Yes, contrary to other reviews, there ARE other brands of KVM in the same price range that WILL properly support monitors (with full video refresh and resolution ranges) that will also properly support PS/2 mice and keyboards. I have to laugh at those who say otherswise. (They just don't know where to find the products. C'mon, Belkin? I wouldn't buy their KVM's if you paid me.)
That said, I would like to point out one of the most irrating physical features of this KVM as well as others that are designed like it. It places connector attachments on three sides. Even with neat molded cables from (...), this configuration results in an 3-sided octopus like cable management problem. For those with limited desk space (or floor space) this is not a good (certainly not great) solution ~ maybe you should mount it to your wall! I actually mounted this monster to the bottomside of my computer keyboard stationary pullout support to keep it and the associated cables out of the way. I must lowly rate any KVM that uses more than 1 side for cable connections and attachments since one of the objectives is to reduce waste of working space with redundant cables, keyboards, mice, etc.
Additionally, although the Logitech optical mouse always responds whenever the keyboard also works, I've found on many different occasions that the 'Hot key' controls, [the ALT-CTRL-SHIFT-#-ENTER sequence], sometimes do not respond with PC's in certain operating conditions. This is especially true when ACPI or powersaving modes are in use on some PC's. To overcome this frustration it is necessary to manually cycle through the connected PC's with the one button (which slightly sticks sometimes - maybe its (...) plastic). This is inconvenient compared to the KVM's with fixed buttons for every connected PC.
If I had to choose another KVM for a small office, I would choose a KVM having physical buttons for each PC connection and also having all cable connections on one side - namely the back.
I especially like the hotkeys - you can hit ctrl+alt+shift [1-4] to choose screens 1 through 4. There's another that allows you to automatically cycle endlessly through all screens, and another mode that lets you switch back and forth between screens screens by hitting the shift key.
Given the fact that there are cables going into all 4 sides of the box when you're using it with 4 PCs, it's nice that there's hotkeys to switch between screens, because there's NO way that hitting the button on the box will be practical.
Bottom line is that if you're a geek like me with a bunch of PCs that you want to access with a KVM switch, this is great. However, if you're a gamer with special mouse functionality being used, or a hardcore thumb-button user, you'll have to pass on this option.
I have had no problems with the installation, operation, or maintenance of this product. With a simple 1-2-3-4, one-touch control you will find the CPU you need fast.
Instead of the clutter and expense of human iterface devices for each CPU, buy this switch. It is compatible with all systems I have run, all HID's I use, as well as uses no power and generates no heat.
The only problem with using the KVM switch is some manufacturers haven't caught up with drivers yet. Some wheels and extra buttons may require some coaxing to get online.
I bought this switch for use at home to connect three computers in my home-office. I am very happy with my choice.
The switch supports video resolutions up to 1920x1440. In the past, I found other low-cost KVM switches show noticeable image deterioration above 1024x768.
There is a easy-to-use button on the device to switch among your machines. LED's on top tell you which machine you have selected. You can also switch between machines using the keyboard. There are three KVM switching modes via keyboard:
Switch directly:
... Go to machine N: Alt, Ctrl, Shift, {1 2 3 or 4}, Enter
Auto-Scan (3 second interval):
... Begin Auto-scan: Alt, Ctrl, Shift, 0, Enter.
... Stop auto-scan: Spacebar
Up/down mode (Make it easy to quickly switch between machines):
... Begin Up/down mode: Alt, Ctrl, Shift, 0, Enter
... Go to previous machine: Left-Shift
... Go to next machine: Right-Shift
... Stop up/down mode: Spacebar
Unlike some KVM switches, you hit Alt, Ctrl, and Shift in order, one-at-a-time. You don't "chord" the keys together. (This actually is a benefit in my case -- I use the Emacs editor in Linux, and my previous "cheapie" KVM switch had a Ctrl-Alt-key combination command that conflicted with the editor.)
The ProConnect doesn't have an On-Screen-Display that tells you the name of the selected computer. I use OSD-enabled switches for work in the datacenter; but, given this unit's price, not having OSD is an acceptable limitation for the home-office.
There isn't much to operating the switch. A big button on the front (the side opposite the blue end) manually toggles between CPUs. But using the keyboard is simpler (it also lets you hide the device and the fifteen cables out of sight). Specific keystrokes allow you to switch to a specific CPU, to switch to the last CPU used or to set the device in autoscan mode (whereby the display continuously switches between the attached CPUs).
Higher end switches offer such features as on screen displays, modifiable time interval for the autoscan mode, support for serial mice, support for non-PCs, the ability to mount the switch in a rack and sometimes the ability to place the CPUs really far away from you. On the other hand these higher end switches often require custom cables (this one doesn't) and have limited video bandwidth (this device will go up to 1920x1440). Oh yes, they also cost 10 times as much.
My only wish is for something that no KVM manufacturer seems to have thought of: Be able to share all the other things that I use with my PCs (microphone, speakers, USB ports, phone line, etc.). Maybe their marketing departments found "KVMMSUP switch" too much of a tongue twister.
If it wasn't for Newton, we wouldn't have to eat bruised apples.
But I always fired into the nearest hill or, failing that, into blackness.
I meant no harm; I just liked the explosions. And I was careful never to
kill more than I could eat.
-- Raoul Duke
