Intro question: Using KVM switch to use 1 keyboard, 1 mouse, 1 monitor for two desktops

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lipmanaj

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Jan 15, 2015
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Hello All,

I have two desktop PCs, next to one another. I would like to use 1 keyboard, 1 mouse, and one monitor for the two desktops.

I purchased a 4 port USB VGA KVM switch. Each port has a VGA input, a "square" input like that which you would see on opposite end of a USB printer cable. There are three USB inputs, and 1 USB and VGA output each.

I am using a VGA monitor, and a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. The keyboard and mouse both have USB signal receivers that I plug into the USB ports on my desktop.

How do I properly install the wireless keyboard and mouse so that I can use the one wireless keyboard and mouse as the keyboard and mouse for both computers?

Do I just plug the USB signal receivers for each into the USB inputs on the KVM switch?

If so, how do these allow the keyboard and mouse to operate the second computer?

As you can tell, this is my first go-round with KVM switches.

Your assistance is much appreciated.

Best,

Dr. Alan Lipman
Washington, DC
 
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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I'm not 100% sure with it being wireless if that will create any further issues, but basically you have the kvm switch itself with two sets of cables meant to attach 1 set to each pc. There's still an 'output' side with typically 2 usb ports and a vga cable for attaching your keyboard and mouse (or their receiver if they're wireless) and attach to the monitor. There should be a switch on the kvm unit that says 1/2 or A/B - switching that should change the display/inputs between one machine and the other.

Update: Here's a couple pics showing common kvm switches. The black syba has a 'remote' switch to reduce desktop clutter and likely pressing it will alternate between one and the other. The blue one shows the buttons on top (you'd have this unit somewhere accessible so you can reach the buttons) and pressing one or the other will do the switching. Much like the old "A/B" switches for cable boxes on tv's.

http://www.sybausa.com/pic/SY-KVM20051/phpG9eHVP.JPG

https://caedm.et.byu.edu/wiki/images/7/78/KVM_switch.png

 
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prokvm

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Nov 30, 2008
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Hi Alan,

Even you have two wireless devices (one wireless keyboard and one wireless mouse), if they are made from same maker (such as Logitech), you may use just one wireless receiver to pair up to 6 wireless devices (that is the spec. of Logitech Unifying Receiver ).

According my 20 years experience in the KVM industry, I found that most of the KVM switches can not compatible with wireless keyboard and mouse receiver (dongle) , specially under new OS systems such as Windows 7/8/8.1 which will check the status of any I/O devices connected to the system frequently.

I suggest you find an USB DDM based KVM switch which may be more expensive than HUB-based or emulated-base KVM switch, but most likely it will work with your wireless keyboard and mouse.

Please see the type of KVM switch link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch#Types




 
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mvidelgauz

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Sep 14, 2015
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Hello prokvm,
your answer here was very useful for me because I was also going to try connecting mouse/keyboard wireless receiver to a KVM switch and now I know that far not every switch will do this job, thank you!
But this leads me to another question: will a USB wireless receiver work with laptop docking station?
I am considering buying some of these laptop usb docking stations but I want to leave my mouse/keyboard in office (with receiver left in a such station).
If that installation will work than I might ant to go further and connect docking station as one of 2/4 PCs to a KVM so mouse/keyboard and video signals will have to travel two intermediate stations - KVM + docking station when KVM is set to laptop.
Is this construction feasible at all?
Thank you!
 
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