A little thing that drives me nuts!!!

Forums › Off topic › A little thing that drives me nuts!!!

gnfb

1747 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 97

Topic # 154788 7-Nov-2014 15:18

So
I have 1 keyboard and a simple KVM switch that I choose 1 of 2 machines with a monitor on each that I connect to

what drives me nuts

Is I will switch between the machines and forget i have

Now I dont touch type so I look at the keys not the screen

I will type almost a sentence and only then when i look up realise its on the wrong machine!!

dont know how many times ive typed in a password and sent it as a tweet or on FB by mistake

SO

Is there some software or device that maybe has light on the screen that is connected switches between the two??

Then my peripheral vision would pick that up

As I say Its not the cure for cancer it just bugs me!!

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

gnfb on trademe travelkit.nz

GNFB Geeks Out on Geekzone

Email Me

ubergeeknz

3343 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1089

Trusted

Vocus

Reply # 1170951 7-Nov-2014 15:36

Assuming you don't use scroll lock for anything, turn it on on one machine, off on the other. When your keyboard is on one it will be lit, and not on the other.

gzt

9837 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1472

Reply # 1171140 7-Nov-2014 20:55

Is there some software or device that maybe has light on the screen that is connected switches between the two??

I'm not sure I understand the question. Some KVMs offer an option to watermark the screen. Another option is using two very different desktop backgrounds.

Aredwood

2717 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

Subscriber

Reply # 1171325 8-Nov-2014 14:57

Im assuming that the KVM switch is a PS/2 one. (uses mini 5 pin DIN connectors)? If so open it up and see if all 5 pins are switched. If so then your in luck as 1 of those pins is not used. So you could hack the KVM switch to use the extra pin to switch some LEDs to indicate which computer is the "active" one.

BTR

1461 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 427

Reply # 1172036 10-Nov-2014 11:10

Don't most KVM's already have a light to show you which port you are using?

Kyanar

2966 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 446

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1172534 11-Nov-2014 02:49

ubergeeknz: Assuming you don't use scroll lock for anything, turn it on on one machine, off on the other. When your keyboard is on one it will be lit, and not on the other.

In 999% of KVM switches I've seen, scroll lock is the key that switches machines =/

I finally have fibre! Had to leave the country to get it though.