KVM switch only half-working

Forums › Desktop computing › KVM switch only half-working

1 | 2

quickymart

13948 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#3169070 6-Dec-2023 21:51

Thanks for this, I think this device may warrant a closer look.

If it can support all my peripherals it could be a goer - bonus if it can do the headset and the webcam, although now I think about it the webcam isn't so necessary as I don't tend to have it on.

quickymart

13948 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#3169109 7-Dec-2023 07:23

askelon:

i use an AIMOS 2 Port KVM myself. I just plug in the USB/HDMI into each computer and a USB wireless dongle into the USB ports on it for my keyboard and mouse and have never had a problem.

Update: have ordered one of these just now, so let's see how we go 🤞

Sidenote - my PS/2 to USB adapter arrived for my keyboard last night. Tested it and it seems to work correctly so that's one hurdle accomplished.

quickymart

13948 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#3173447 19-Dec-2023 15:46

Switch above arrived today and seems to work quite well. Will take a bit of configuration to get my desk setup but as far as I can tell both my USB headset and mouse seem to work okay.

I think I need to replace my keyboard however - I've since found that the PS2-USB adapter doesn't work properly; the Function keys don't work, for example.

I've started the hunt for an ergonomic Microsoft USB keyboard, although they don't seem to have a lot on offer these days.

quickymart

13948 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#3175093 23-Dec-2023 23:21

I now have a new keyboard which mostly seems to work (although I must say I miss the locations of some of the frequently-used keys on my old one), although it was a PS/2 and the adapter wouldn't work properly with the switch 😕

However I'm struggling to figure out how to assign/configure the Function keys. F5 used to refresh all my webpages in any browser with no issue but now I'm finding it does absolutely 0 in Firefox.

I downloaded the "Mouse Keyboard Centre" software but that only lets you change the media keys.

Is there any way to manually assign a function key (or any key, come to think of it) in Windows 10?

By the way, this is the keyboard I'm using: https://www.microsoft.com/en-nz/d/microsoft-ergonomic-desktop/926gk79b71v9?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

Alternatively, if anyone knows where I can still buy one of these (new) and not have it cost a small fortune, please let me know: https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/microsoft-natural-ergonomic-keyboard-4000/1498528

🙂

fearandloathing

503 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3175095 23-Dec-2023 23:52

Maybe look at some of the. Keychron keyboards that support QMK/VIA

fe31nz

1230 posts

Uber Geek

#3175096 23-Dec-2023 23:58

quickymart:

However I'm struggling to figure out how to assign/configure the Function keys. F5 used to refresh all my webpages in any browser with no issue but now I'm finding it does absolutely 0 in Firefox.

The unmodified Function keys are not normally configurable, and should not have changed when using a new keyboard or because of the KVM switch. The first thing to try though, is to plug the new keyboard directly into the Windows box and make sure it is working that way. I would also try using a freeware keyboard test program to see what is going on - it is possible that the new keyboard is simply faulty.

quickymart

13948 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#3175135 24-Dec-2023 08:41

I think I might have solved the Function key issue - I had a long-forgotten registry edit installed as my old keyboard (for some reason) had the Function keys as a secondary function, as opposed to them just being Function keys.

I've uninstalled the registry hack, restarted and it seems to be working correctly now 🤞

1 | 2