KVM Switch advice

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ReaperZ

127 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#17825 13-Dec-2007 17:42

Hey guys :)

my mum runs two pc boxes next to each other, and swaps the keyboard/vid/mouse over every time she wants to alternate between the two boxes, so i thought buying her a KVM switch for xmas would be an awesome idea !

question though - she also has a USB Printer she swaps over each time she does this as well

Now i know nothing about kvm switches, is it possible to plug a usb printer into one ?

or would buying a USB Splitter cable to split the printer cable work ?

At no point with both boxes be powered on at the same time , hence i thought the split usb cable idea could work ?

thanks :)

-ReaperZ

MackinNZ

450 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 119

Lifetime subscriber

#99825 13-Dec-2007 19:54

You don't say if the monitors are D-Sub or DVI so assuming they're D-Sub, this is what you need:

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=353386

It also switches audio and allows you to share USB peripherals such as a printer. If the monitors are DVI, there are also DVI models available.

I've been using a similar ATEN 4 port KVM for ages and it works great. You can get cheaper KVM's but I've found ATEN stuff to be particularly good.

Chris.

ashtonaut

631 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 120

ID Verified

#99827 13-Dec-2007 20:04

This might not suit your Mum's situation, but Synergy (free) allows you to have two seperate computers controlled by a single keyboard and mouse. You need two monitors, but you can also access both computers simultaneously.

Ash