KVM switch behaving oddly...

[surly]

I have installed a 2-port KVM switch to enable a customer to switch between his home PC or a work laptop he takes home.

The KVM switch tested fine on my own similar set-up, but it causes his PC (Windows ME) to blue screen as soon as the desktop is displayed. It works fine for the laptop (which is connected via a port replicator).

The desktop PC appears to be OK when the laptop is sat on its port replicator (and the laptop doesn't need to be switched on...) but this isn't ideal as the guy doesn't want to take the laptop home every night just so he can use his home computer!

Anybody have any ideas??

 

[jhall01]

Let me get this straight. At home he has a Desktop, and the port replicator. The PC won't work unless the laptop is in the port replicator when switching the KVM?

Or is the Switch at work. Sorry a little confused.

I can already tell you that one problem is the fact that he is running ME. ME is aweful. Switch him back to 98!!! It is free and now open source so he doesn't have to buy 98!

If you could give a little more detail on the setup i might be able to help.

 

[surly]

The PC and port replicator share the KVM switch at his home.
I tested it OK in my office before giving it to him.

PC is a Dell, about 18 months old - came with ME on it I'm afraid.
Laptop is IBM T21.

PC only works when the port rep has the laptop seated on it!
Mouse is currently chief suspect.

 

[jhall01]

Ok. Here is what you need to check is the bootup sequence and a few other steps for trouble shooting:

1. switch mouse - if this works great!!!
2. possibly tote a PC over to replace teh winME machine and do the following combo with KVM

winME pc kvm with otherPC
other pc kvm with port replicator
this way you can get it down to whether or not it is the port replicator causing the problem or the winME machine.

you know the kvm works so we have to see what connected device is causing it. I have a feeling it is the ME machine but you might try unplugging the replicator when there is no laptop present also before you boot the ME machine in teh original configuration of ME/replicator.

 

[diogenes10]

"Switch him back to 98!!! It is free and now open source so he doesn't have to buy 98!"

You have a written reference from Microsoft for that?

 

[jhall01]

sorry my bad....it is not open source, wrong terminology. You can get a license for under $5 or if you have one from an older pc you can use it as long as you are not using it on another PC.

I just am so used to the stock pile of 98 licenses i have from my old computers. I have about 20 licenses laying around with no PC's using them.

 

[rockerfellerz]

It's definitley not free, actually costs more than xphome in my area anyway.....If you can get it, it's only old stock that's being sold. But it is better than ME, IMO.

If you're going through Hell...keep going... (Winston Churchill)
RocKeRFelLerZ

 

[surly]

Doesn't solve my problem though does it....

 

[rockerfellerz]

I would try the power adapter with the kvm.Sometimes they don't get enough power from the one computer, so there is a spot to plug in an adapter. That or unplugging the replicator when the notebook is not connected.

If you're going through Hell...keep going... (Winston Churchill)
RocKeRFelLerZ