KVM switches- any opinions?

Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own. So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side, pretty simple. The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported. Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one. Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks.

I'm not sure why you want to do this...(?). But I'm sure you have you're reasons or I don't understand what you're doing. Any case, if you just need another monitor, you could buy a used computer system, maybe a $20-$30 dollar 486 and use it's monitor. -- DAMN IT! Someone set up a LAN event in or near the Fingerlakes region of NY "Tim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:240520021625393044%[email hidden]... > Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the > wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own. > So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side, > pretty simple. > > The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical > switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported. > Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one. > Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks.

He wants to use a KVM to save space. All he needs is cables coming from the two machines to the KVM, and then from the KVM to the keyboard, mouse, etc. "Michael Barlow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:2RKH8.9810$[email hidden]...

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> I'm not sure why you want to do this...(?). But I'm sure you have > you're reasons or I don't understand what you're doing. Any case, if you > just need another monitor, you could buy a used computer system, maybe a > $20-$30 dollar 486 and use it's monitor. > > -- > DAMN IT! Someone set up a LAN event > in or near the Fingerlakes region of NY > "Tim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:240520021625393044%[email hidden]... > > Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the > > wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own. > > So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side, > > pretty simple. > > > > The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical > > switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported. > > Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one. > > Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks. > >

I'm not an expert, but it seems like an electrical one is required, otherwise it is just a small combined AB box. IF you are just going to use it for a monitor, then just save your money and get a AB VGA box. Also, make sure you can return the KVM, my dad got one and while it works sometimes, it can crash machines (wierdly enough) if you put stuff in in the wrong order (it was also cheap as all heck.) -Stuart Becktell "Tim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:240520021625393044%[email hidden]...

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> Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the > wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own. > So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side, > pretty simple. > > The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical > switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported. > Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one. > Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks.

I use on both at work and home and both work fine. The one at work is a 2 output belkin electronic one (faster switching) about �80) an the one at home is a 4 output one which cost �60 inc cables). They are well worth the space sving if like me you have 4 pc's under your desk! Some Call Me Tim

I have one and it works great, it does Monitor, mouse and keyboard.. It plugs in but I found it works not plugged in also LOL "Tim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:240520021625393044%[email hidden]...

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| Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the | wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own. | So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side, | pretty simple. | | The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical | switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported. | Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one. | Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks. |

Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90. Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2 adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs, not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or manually hit the button. Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything digitally. Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. -> http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup -> http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that. jason

Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90. Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2 adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs, not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or manually hit the button. Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything digitally. Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. -> http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup -> http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that. jason

I'm interested in these too. I have a spare bedroom that's my 'Lab', and it has 6 computers in it. Having one monitor for all the servers would be nice since I never touch them except for weekly maintenance. -Larry "Michael Barlow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:2RKH8.9810$[email hidden]...

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> I'm not sure why you want to do this...(?). But I'm sure you have > you're reasons or I don't understand what you're doing. Any case, if you > just need another monitor, you could buy a used computer system, maybe a > $20-$30 dollar 486 and use it's monitor. > > -- > DAMN IT! Someone set up a LAN event > in or near the Fingerlakes region of NY > "Tim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:240520021625393044%[email hidden]... > > Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the > > wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own. > > So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side, > > pretty simple. > > > > The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical > > switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported. > > Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one. > > Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks. > >

"@ jasonfagan.com" wrote: > Not to mention that those cheap mechanical ones will greatly reduce the picture quality if you're running high resolutions and may cause instability to your OS when you switch from one computer to the next as it's causing interference which is sometimes interpreted as a partial keystroke or mouse click At the very least go for an electronic one Beers and cheers (uncle) Goy http://www.theuspits.com "A man is only as old as the woman he feels........" --Groucho Marx--

Jason, Thanks for taking the time to answer with this detailed response. I appreciate your help! In article <[email hidden]>, jason wrote:

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> Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM > switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90. > Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse > and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2 > adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs, > not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the > cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or > manually hit the button. > > Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace > Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM > switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything > digitally. > > Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over > 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass > CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. -> > http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html > > At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup -> > http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html > > You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that. > > jason

Absolutely second his recommendation for high quality VGA cables if you want to use higher resolutions or refresh rates. Otherwise your "picture" will look like total crap. http://www.networktechinc.com/ I have had good success with cables from these folks. I have a Belkin Omnicube KVM that is OK. It's the only one I've ever used so I have nothing to compare it to, but I've had no problems. Gerald jason(@)nospam-jasonfagan.com (jasonfagan.com) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

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> Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM > switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90. > Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse > and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2 > adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs, > not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the > cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or > manually hit the button. > > Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace > Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM > switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything > digitally. > > Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over > 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass > CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. -> > http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html > > At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup -> > http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html > > You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that. > > jason

Mines electronic and cost 55 bucks "jason nospam-jasonfagan.com (jasonfagan.com)" <@> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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| Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM | switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90. | Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse | and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2 | adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs, | not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the | cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or | manually hit the button. | | Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace | Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM | switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything | digitally. | | Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over | 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass | CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. -> | http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html | | At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup -> | http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html | | You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that. | | jason |

In article <OMkJ8.66844$[email hidden]>, Blake <[email hidden]> wrote: > Mines electronic and cost 55 bucks What do you have and where did you get it? Tim

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> > > > > "jason nospam-jasonfagan.com (jasonfagan.com)" <@> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > | Use and highly recommend the Linksys ProConnect 2/4/6/8 port console KVM > | switch. Part number is SVIEW02 for the 2 port, buy.com for prolly ~$90. > | Works with every OS 95-XP, Linux, etc. Switches PS2 key/mouse serial mouse > | and video. Also works with MS Optical Explorer all 7 motions with USB->PS2 > | adapter, not many do. KVM is very heavy and sturdy, all metal case 3.5lbs, > | not a lightweight cheap plastic 'pocket' KVM that is jerked around by the > | cables. Can switch with a (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1or2+Enter) in sequence or > | manually hit the button. > | > | Mechanial PS2 switches DESTROY mainboard with every click. I replace > | Mainboards regularly for a company that used supa-cheap-azz mechanical KVM > | switches all over their machines. The ProConnect switches everything > | digitally. > | > | Also will need UL2919 listed VGA cables if you want any kind of quality over > | 800x600. These are coax shielded thick monitor cables, not the cheap-ass > | CAT5-with-a-DB15 on each end. -> > | http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/monitor/ul2919.html > | > | At the bottom of this page is some more info about my KVM switch setup -> > | http://www.jasonfagan.com/tech/renderfarm/index.html > | > | You'll love it. Buy cheap, buy twice, remember that. > | > | jason > |

Tim <[email hidden]> wrote in news:240520021625393044% [email hidden]:

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> Looking for a KVM switch to run two computers off one monitor, with the > wheel/pedals and keyboards separate into each computer on their own. > So basically just 2 computers in and one monitor out the other side, > pretty simple. > > The question is I am seeing varying prices and hearing about mechanical > switches and electronic ones, and different resolutions supported. > Looking to run racing sims of course, so I guess I need a good one. > Anybody recommend any- or know what I should look out for? Thanks.

I'm using a Linksys ProConnect KVM, and have had no problems with it. It only supports two computers.