KVM Switches with Wireless Keyboard / Mouse

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MurrayM

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#151839 7-Sep-2014 12:00

I have two Windows computers that I would like to connect a single screen, keyboard and mouse to.

The screen has a VGA connector. The keyboard (Logitech K270) and mouse (Logitech M705) use a Logitech Unifying Receiver which is a little wireless USB dongle.

I don't plan on having both computers turned on at the same time, so hot-swapping isn't required. I just want to save space on my desk.

Being able to share other USB devices (i.e. a USB WIFI dongle) between the two computers would be nice but not necessary.

I've read that all wireless keyboard / mouse manufacturers say that their gear doesn't work with KVM's, and also that most KVM manufacturers will say that their switches won't work with wireless keyboards and mice. But I've also read of people that have managed to get this sort of setup working ok.

Any recommendations or advice?

Something that caught my eye was Virtual KVM's, where it's all done in software. But I don't think that's such a great solution for me as I will very rarely want both computers turned on at once (ones a work PC and the other a personal use PC) and also both computers will be connecting wirelessly to my home router and I don't think a wireless connection would handle this well. But maybe I'm wrong?

afe66

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#1123628 7-Sep-2014 14:07

I went for separate keyboard with touch pad like you see for htpc as I used one machine almost all the time, and when I switched the monitor I picked up the other keyboard.

A.

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MurrayM

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#1123695 7-Sep-2014 16:45

Yeah I've decided to go for just a box that can switch the video and have separate keyboard and mouse for each PC. I've got the extra keyboard and mouse, so that simplifies things.

I looked in PB Tech and talked to them (when I mentioned that I'd ask for recommendations on Geekzone he said "Yeah, there's a few good people there, but 90% of them are idiots"). The do the ATEN brand, but their VGA video switcher box is actually more expensive than their KVM all-in-one cable (and the video switcher box doesn't come with any cables). I'm wondering if I can get the KVM cable and just use the video portion of it.

MaxLV

656 posts

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#1123696 7-Sep-2014 16:56

Here's the KVM switch I use:

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=KVMREX0014&name=REXTRON-1-4-USB-Automatic-KVM-Switch.-Black-Color.

USB/VGA version

Currently running two desk top (Windows 8.1.1) computers through it. one keyboard (Logitech K750 solar wireless keyboard and Logitech wireless Performance MX mouse) The Logitech USB transmitter/receiver is plugged into one of the USB ports on the KVM switch. The screen is a 19" AOC LCD monitor. The monitor is connected to a four port video splitter which is connected to the VGA plug on the KVM switch.

When I first set it up, all I did was plug in the cables between the KVM switch and computers and video splitter/monitor, plug the Logitech USB transmitter/Receiver into the KVM, turned everything on, and the mouse and keyboard were detected immediately by the bios during boot on both computers, and by Windows on each computer once it had started. This was before loading the Logitech Setpoint software, so the mouse and keyboard were listed as generic mouse/keyboard. Once I had installed Setpoint they were detected correctly as a K750 keyboard and performance mouse.

I was expecting to have to do a bit of configuring, but it was essentially a 'plug and play' set-up for the hardware and Windows.

I have had the KVM running up to four computers through it with Wireless keyboard and mouse without any problems.

I have both computers on at the same time and haven't had any problems switching between them.

richms

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#1123704 7-Sep-2014 17:21

The only issue I have had with a wireless keyboard with a uinifying reciever on a KVM is that switching from the keyboard didnt work. With the buttons on the front it was fine, but it took a second or so from switching for windows to find the USB dongle again and start working, vs instant with a wired keyboard. With wired ones it needed to be in the port labeled keyboard for it to work to switch, in the mouse port it didnt switch, but would still type ok.

Richard rich.ms