KVM Switch issues

Kala · #1 8th April 2004, 04:01 PM

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*** · #2 8th April 2004, 04:26 PM

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 · #3 8th April 2004, 05:30 PM

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 · #4 8th April 2004, 11:09 PM

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 · #5 9th April 2004, 05:58 PM

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 · #6 9th April 2004, 09:30 PM

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 · #7 15th April 2004, 04:43 AM

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 · #8 15th April 2004, 07:10 AM

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 · #9 15th April 2004, 08:37 AM

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 · #10 15th April 2004, 11:07 AM

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=p...product_id=395 for more information.

AliOop · #11 15th April 2004, 05:58 PM

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 · #12 2nd May 2004, 05:35 AM

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 · #13 6th November 2004, 01:45 AM

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/...buglist=123273

Dave

AliOop · #14 6th November 2004, 07:54 AM

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 · #15 8th November 2004, 01:50 PM

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.