Instead of swapping cables in and out (and presumably getting more physical wear/tear), I'm thinking about getting a KVM unit to switch between systems.
Requirements:
1. Uses dongles with either PS2/VGA and USB/VGA.
2. 4 or more ports.
3. Decent image quality.
I found this IOGear KVM, anyone have comments or suggestions?
This is the only one I have any experience with:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Port-Switch-Linksys-I … r4AAOSwFdtX0wtH
but it's only for two PCs. I can say it works flawlessly with two different DOS PCs sharing one keyboard and monitor. It switches with a double-tap of Scroll Lock.
Here's a 4-port model:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Linksys-PS2KVM4-ProCo … 7oAAOSwt5hYd8PM
The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.
OPL3 FM vs. Roland MT-32 vs. General MIDI DOS Game Comparison
Let's benchmark our systems with cache disabled
DOS PCI Graphics Card Benchmarks
wrote:It switches with a double-tap of Scroll Lock.
The only problem with that is, when you're running VMware or another virtual machine, sometimes switching back and forth from the virtual machine will toggle Scroll Lock and trigger the KVM.
I've been using this one for the past 6 months:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?I … N82E16817399062
DVI only
Can't speak for the audio since I don't use it.
Image quality is fine @ 1920x1200
I have two monitors so I have the console hooked to my non-gaming monitor but I do have my K/M plugged into it and haven't noticed any issues. All buttons work.
Four buttons on the front to switch between inputs. When the computer it's currently switched to reboots then the KVM will switch to another input but not that big of a deal. (Probly the autoscan feature)
KVM has pretty good heft so it doesn't move around.
I'd recommend one that has standard ports on the back. single vga connector one side and vga & 2 PS2 connectors on the other end of the cable is also pretty standard.
That way your not locked in. Belkin home range can be good at doing things like that, but the more business side of things are pretty good.
PS2 is obsolete enough now should be able to grab 2nd hand server grade kvm's from the bug guys like Compaq, HP, Dell, etc.
I've got a Compaq 8 port. Its ok
my generic 4 port is actually better but cant find it on line anymore. But I did get it 10 years ago
Not sure server grade is worth keeping unless you need 8 ports. Image quality was not a concern for these...
I'm grabbing aten and similar stuff that is in nice metal boxes.
For you guys who use KVM's without audio, what do you do about audio switching?
Plan your life wisely, you'll be dead before you know it.
I use one of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beta-Transform-Game-S … VkAAOSwjL5ZMtoE
The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.
OPL3 FM vs. Roland MT-32 vs. General MIDI DOS Game Comparison
Let's benchmark our systems with cache disabled
DOS PCI Graphics Card Benchmarks
I use only Belkin KVMs and hoarded quite a few of them as spares. You don't need custom cables for them.
The older PS/2 ones came with serial mouse emulation so you could use an optical Microsoft mouse with a PS/2 adapter on old AT systems that needed a serial mouse. You could also gang a few 4/8 port units together.
Then I have newer PS/2 and/or USB VGA models that also switch one audio and one mic input.
And finally on newer systems with DVI video and USB I recommend the SOHO series that also switches audio. I wish I had a 5.1 switching model (not sure they make them).
Video bandwidth is good so no ghosting. Original Belkin cables are shielded but you can use generic Chinese cables.
Collector of old computers, hardware, and software
wrote:For you guys who use KVM's without audio, what do you do about audio switching?
Few guys here use mixers, my budget doesn't stretch that far (I've got 8+ computers set up)
I just plug an extension cable like the below into the back of each PC and run it upto under my screen. I then plug the speaker into which ever computer's extension I want sound from. Kind of like an old telephone exchange,
