HELP: Problems with Mouse using Belkin KVM Switch Under Windows XP

[A Nengineer]

Greetings. This has been a really odd problem.

I'm using a Belkin KVM switch (http://tinyurl.com/3ayms). The switch
works very well except for one problem: since it has a PS/2 mouse port,
I have to use a USB-to-PS/2 adapter to plug in to it.

Windows XP simply will not "see' this setup. It acts as though I have no
mouse. This is true, even when I've tried a large variety of different
mice, and even different connectors. And it's a WinXP problem, because
the other box I am using is Fedora Linux, and it has NO problems.

These are both "home-built" computers.

The video and keyboard have no problem except, when I'm in WinXP, if I
go about ten second or more without using the keyboard, the first
keystroke is "ignored" and causes a system beep. After that initial
keystroke, it's as if the system "woke up" and I have no problem using
the keyboard as long as I continue to type without long pauses.

Now the really weird thing is that my current setup is a Microsoft
cordless keyboard/mouse combo. You'd think with the "weirdness" of
having to connect the transmitter to the input ports on the KVM that it
might not work, but it works just great!

Again, since the mouse works just fine under Linux, it's not that the
mouse connection is the problem. It's strictly a "Windows XP thing."

Does anyone have any insights? Couldn't find a thing on the Belkin
website or doing a Google search.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Jeff Gaines]

Greetings. This has been a really odd problem.

I'm using a Belkin KVM switch (http://tinyurl.com/3ayms). The switch
works very well except for one problem: since it has a PS/2 mouse
port, I have to use a USB-to-PS/2 adapter to plug in to it.

Windows XP simply will not "see' this setup. It acts as though I have
no mouse. This is true, even when I've tried a large variety of
different mice, and even different connectors. And it's a WinXP
problem, because the other box I am using is Fedora Linux, and it has
NO problems.

These are both "home-built" computers.

The video and keyboard have no problem except, when I'm in WinXP, if I
go about ten second or more without using the keyboard, the first
keystroke is "ignored" and causes a system beep. After that initial
keystroke, it's as if the system "woke up" and I have no problem using
the keyboard as long as I continue to type without long pauses.

Now the really weird thing is that my current setup is a Microsoft
cordless keyboard/mouse combo. You'd think with the "weirdness" of
having to connect the transmitter to the input ports on the KVM that
it might not work, but it works just great!

Again, since the mouse works just fine under Linux, it's not that the
mouse connection is the problem. It's strictly a "Windows XP thing."

Does anyone have any insights? Couldn't find a thing on the Belkin
website or doing a Google search.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I have almost the opposite problem.
I use a 4 way Belkin SOHO KVM. I have never had problems under Windows
but when switching to Linux the mouse jumps all over the place
apparently clicking its buttons randomly. I dug out an older Belkin KVM
and that works fine under Windows and Linux.
I think there is something odd about the new designs. I posted a query
on Belkin's web site at the weekend, if I get anything useful back I
will post it here.

 

[Michael Meissner]

I have almost the opposite problem.
I use a 4 way Belkin SOHO KVM. I have never had problems under Windows
but when switching to Linux the mouse jumps all over the place
apparently clicking its buttons randomly. I dug out an older Belkin KVM
and that works fine under Windows and Linux.
I think there is something odd about the new designs. I posted a query
on Belkin's web site at the weekend, if I get anything useful back I
will post it here.

I've had similar problems on various KVM. What eventually worked for me was
getting an actual Logitech corded mouse. If I used the mice I had been using
before, the mouse would never get reset properly. So I suspect the KVM's are
real sensitive to exactly what mouse you use.

 

[Sam]

Sometime on, or about 08 Sep 2004 15:53:34 -0400, Michael Meissner
wrote:

I've had similar problems on various KVM. What eventually worked for me was
getting an actual Logitech corded mouse. If I used the mice I had been using
before, the mouse would never get reset properly. So I suspect the KVM's are
real sensitive to exactly what mouse you use.

With the Belkin KVM's I always had a problem with Logitech mice. I'd
lose the scroll wheel function if I used the switch. Rebooting brought
it back. With a MS mouse, however, the Belkin worked just fine...
strange.

Sam

 

[Michael Meissner]

Sometime on, or about 08 Sep 2004 15:53:34 -0400, Michael Meissner
wrote:

With the Belkin KVM's I always had a problem with Logitech mice. I'd
lose the scroll wheel function if I used the switch. Rebooting brought
it back. With a MS mouse, however, the Belkin worked just fine...
strange.

Yep. I forgot to mention that I had ditched the Belkin KVM and went to a
generic brand, and then found it liked only Logitech mice. Since the original
poster had Belkin, I would go with the M$ mouse (hey, whatever works).

 

[A Nengineer]

Well, except that I have used MS, Logitech, Kensington, and even, oddly
enough, "Belkin" mice. These have been optical as well as
opto-mechanical, wired AND wireless.

I get the exact same problems with all of them. It seems to be Windows
XP that's the culprit, because all the above mice work fine when the
switch is set to the Linux box, EVEN the MS wireless optical mouse!

And the keyboard (MS optical) works great on either side except for the
"beep after too long idle time" phenomenon that I described below--and
once again, that only happens on the WinXP side, not on Linux.

Odd that Linux would be error-free for this particular application and
WinXP would have the problems. Odder still that (the KVM
notwithstanding) the MS products don't have a problem with Linux, only
WinXP.

 

[patrick]

Hmmmm. My thing is that I use a seperate mouse hooked directly to each
computer, as the computers have some space on top of their shelf mounted
towers... I am using a Belden Omni View digital switch. Push one
button, and it steps through the systems, 1 through 6. Was a great deal
for only $10, including all cables!

 

[Duke Robillard]

Hmmmm. My thing is that I use a seperate mouse hooked directly to each
computer,

That's the same solution I finally came to, after have
a variety of problems with various mice, various KVMs,
and various OSes. Fortunately the Keyboards and Monitors
seem to switch okay.

Duke

 

[Michael Meissner]

Well, except that I have used MS, Logitech, Kensington, and even, oddly enough,
"Belkin" mice. These have been optical as well as opto-mechanical, wired AND
wireless.

I get the exact same problems with all of them. It seems to be Windows XP
that's the culprit, because all the above mice work fine when the switch is set
to the Linux box, EVEN the MS wireless optical mouse!

And the keyboard (MS optical) works great on either side except for the "beep
after too long idle time" phenomenon that I described below--and once again,
that only happens on the WinXP side, not on Linux.

Odd that Linux would be error-free for this particular application and WinXP
would have the problems. Odder still that (the KVM notwithstanding) the MS
products don't have a problem with Linux, only WinXP.

Have you considered changing KVM's? Maybe there is some problem with your
Belkin or with your cables.

 

[A Nengineer]

Have you considered changing KVM's? Maybe there is some problem with your
Belkin or with your cables.

I simply don't want to take the time--and shell out more money--to do
this. I'll live with having to use two mice, and sometimes having to
repeat keystrokes.

No, I don't think it's the problem with the Belkin. After all, it works
fine as long as I'm not using WinXP. So who do you think the REAL
culprit might be?

 

[Sam]

Sometime on, or about Sat, 11 Sep 2004 12:51:02 GMT, A Nengineer
wrote:

I simply don't want to take the time--and shell out more money--to do
this. I'll live with having to use two mice, and sometimes having to
repeat keystrokes.

No, I don't think it's the problem with the Belkin. After all, it works
fine as long as I'm not using WinXP. So who do you think the REAL
culprit might be?

It could also be that Belkin doesn't have that switch configured
properly in firmware for XP. That would make it their fault as well.
They do have firmware upgrades on their website.

Sam