KVM Switch issues

[Kala]

I have two machines, and use a KVM switch to share the mouse/monitor/keyboard.

Whenever I switch from the Fedora machine to the other, and then back, it seems that a whole bunch of keystrokes are then mapped to the mouse listener.

Applications launch, menus appear, general mayhem.

Has anyone seen this before? I'm using Gnome 2.4, and do not have KDE installed, but I thought device I/O was handled at the kernel level.

Still pretty new to linux (~3 months).

Thank you for any assistance.

[ewdi]

i have same problem, not only on fedora, basically on other distro i use. also it cut off the mouse connection too when i switch

[svarreby]

Sorry to hear about your problems!

I have read a lot before I purchased my KVM (2 weeks ago). There seem to be easier to get in trouble when you using cheaper gear.

I went for a 4-port Nexten ($200) with all the cables included. Other brands to consider would be Avocent, Signamax and one asian brand (Emine).


****Still, this is'nt going to solve your problem today though****

[Jman]

Anybody have a theory on why this happens? It is some kind of electrical noise when the switch flips?

Maybe you could run xev or a keylogger to try to find out what is happening when you switch.

Moved to Hardware forum.

[noodlenz]

I have the same problem.

My work round was just to have another mouse just for the Fedora box. Using the KVM switch to change between PC's and swapping which mouse I use. Confuses other users who can not figure out why I have two mice on my desk :-)

[Kala]

I'll try the keylogger.

Also, this is a pretty hefty Linksys switch, so I'm trying their support as well. This does not happen when switching between Windows and Solaris, for another data point.

Thanks for the help on this. For now, I've implemented the dual-mouse solution. :)

[gatep5]

I have had the same problem but only with the 2.6.x kernel series. I can't believe that we are already to 2.6.5 and this problem is still not fixed. Please post if you find any solutions to this; I know I have looked almost everywhere to resolve this. Only other thing that I can think of is to compile a custom kernel with debugging enabled and try to track down the problem myself. Don't have much experience in doing this, but it would be something interesting to learn how to do...

[AliOop]

I've been using an Airlink+ ( url]http://www.airlinkplus.com/products.htm[/url] ) KVM switch for some time now and haven't had a lick of trouble Its a two pc KVM. Nothng locks up. All works. Paid $30 US for it. Well worth the price. I highly recommend it. See http://www.airlinkplus.com/kvm/akvm2.htm

[gatep5]

Thanks for the suggestion but I need one that has USB connections. I have a Belkin 2port right now and I have been able to find another company to try.

[malanovaus]

I use an IOGEAR Mini-micro KVM switch, and have had no problems at all switching between my boxes. Paid $39.99 for it. Uses the "ScrLck" key to switch between systems. See http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&product_id=395 for more information.

[AliOop]

On my Airlink+ KVM I'm using a PS/2 to USB adptor for my USB Logitech Cordless Mouse. Works like a charm. Might try one of those.

[silikon]

I have an 8 port belkin pro KVM, and I was experiencing the same issues that you all have been seeing. What I did was in the /etc/X11/XF86Config, I changed the mouse protocol to PS/2 instead of the IMPS/2 that was automagically set, and I've not had an issue since then. I'd suggest giving this a try and seeing if that might fix the issue.

[k4dgw]

Just ran across this link. Some of the material is also documented in these forums, but there is some other good info also.

http://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/long_list.cgi?buglist=123273

Dave

[AliOop]

http://www.airlinkplus.com/ . I too use the Airlink with no problems. I have the two PC model. And like the poster above I use a USB to PS2 converter and it work with any problems. Both my keyboard and mouse are USB. And the switches are cheap. I mean in price, not quality. I pick up my KVM a year and a half ago for $25. I'm seeing the same model going for $19. It come with cables. Ready to hook up. Give Airlink a try. For that price you can't go wrong.

[aladorn]

It is a known problem of various kvm switchs and X (not limited to kde or gnome or any particular distro).
A quick work around when this happens is:
BEFORE you move the mouse after switching back to the X session do ctrl-alt-f1 to switch to a char session, and then ctrl-alt-f7 to return to the X session.

[Mtnear]

I was just wondering if you were trying to use wireless hardware with your switch? I found that the Belkin KVM that I'm using did crazy things when I had it hooked up to my wireless keyboard and mouse. As soon as I switched to a wired keyboard and mouse it has worked fine ever since. The Belkin switch uses PS2 connectors, has all of the cables built in and uses the Scroll Lock key to switch between machines.

[niooi]

Hello

my KVM works on Debian Woody Perfectly... but not under Fedora Codre 3. Anyone has a solution?

I tired the Ctrl+Alt+F5 and F7 and but it still does not work.

Thanks

niooi

[niooi]

Workaround:

http://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/long_list.cgi?buglist=123273#c5

[mjake]

I had annoying problems with my Belkin Omniview PS/2 / USB 4 port switch with Fedora Core 1-2 and Windows XP. With Fedora the Logitech mouse wheel wouldn't work in one direction after switching to Fedora, (switching virtual consoles helped usually) and with Windows XP when I would switch to Windows and move the mouse some extra mouse wheel scroll up signals always got sent.

I found that all my annoying mouse wheel problems went away if I would use USB instead of PS/2 (one USB cable from the Belkin to the Fedora / Windows systems). Everything works perfect, except that I can't use my mouse or keyboard with the boot menus or to change bios settings, etc. Since my systems aren't multi-boot, I am happy.

[protonos]

Workaround:

http://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/long_list.cgi?buglist=123273#c5

I had the problem with a BELKIN KVM when switching to a fedora core 3 64.
The solution you gave works perfectly.
Thanks a lot

[hallcrash]

I am having mouse problems too. I also use a KVM switch but not linked to it. every time I use a memory hog of a program. like open office or the gimp. the mouse seems to be uncontrollable during use at some time. and then it stops ant I can do what I want. sucks... deleted my whole inbox once. and I had to go through bunches of messages to get them out of the trash. to bad you cant use CTRL-Z like in outlook

[msodos]

I am also having a a dead mouse issue with FC4, using a 'cheap' kvm switch. Will try both solutions next time I am home and using my linux box.

[imzu]

On my Airlink+ KVM I'm using a PS/2 to USB adptor for my USB Logitech Cordless Mouse. Works like a charm. Might try one of those.

Out of curiosity, do you use a power supply with your KVM?

What mouse are you using?

I have a 2-port KVM that only has PS/2 ports. I want to use my USB MS Intellimouse but it doesn't get the power it needs from just the KVM.

[bigfootnmd]

HI ALL,

I also have KVM switch that I use to share my monitor (with usb hub) with my Desktop FC4 and my work laptop (Windows XP). I have had no problems or issues in the past month since I got my switch.
I have an adlogix USBMS2-AB KVM USB that I purchased from www.newegg.com. I have no problems switching between my laptop and desktop. Both keyboard and mouse are plugged into my USB hub (intergral to my monitor and the usb lead from the the hub goes into the switch. Same deal with the monitor cable (from monitor to switch with 1 vid cable going to desktop and 1 to laptop).

[MikeFleischmann]

Hello all,

I have a StarView USB KVM model SV431USB and until FC4 EVERYTHING worked with it, but my USB problem may be the standard one everyone seems to be having with FC4

[mjr]

it may pretian to the boot up on grub.conf

[tonewbie]

I seem to have problems with some somewhat older ATI video cards with my KVM. Mine is a Trendnet TK-801R 8 port KVM.

I have a couple of old clunker K6II-400 machines with 8 meg ATI video cards. One is running Suse 9.3 and the other is running Fedora Core 4. I can't get the video to work on either one of these two machines. I have no problem at all with some of my other machines...some running Nvidia cards, one an old Voodoo 3dfx PCI card and another some ancient 2 MB Cirrus Logic PCI video card.

The Trendnet KVM was an "upgrade" from an old "mechanical" 4 port KVM. I didn't have any problems at all with these old cards when using the mechanical KVM...aside from the "switch" starting to go wonky after a few years of use.

Anyway, I don't have any other spare video cards sitting in my "junque box" so for the time being I put those two machines back on the "mechanical" KVM and am using another monitor...which is a pain...but I suppose eventually those two machines will end up in a yard sale.