Scroll lock key

G

Guest

Hi, I have just set up a Belkin KVM switch, PS2 variety. I have a Linux box
and an XP box I want to be able switch between using the Scroll Lock key as
the switch. I am supposed to press the Scroll Lock key twice within 2
seconds, then press the up or down arrow to select which port I want to use.
This is fine in Linux, but the scroll lock key behaves differently in
windows, all it does is turn on a light on the keyboard. Not sure what it is
supposed to indicate, but it is on the right hand side of the Caps Lock
light. Pressing the scroll lock ket just turns this light on and off.
Is there some way I can change the behaviour of the scroll lock key in
Windows?
I dual boot the windows box, between Server 03 and XP Pro, both have the
same behaviour regarding the scroll lock key.
thanks for any assistance.
Cheers from Peter.
 
A

amby

In pmccrackan <[email protected]> spewed forth:
:: Hi, I have just set up a Belkin KVM switch, PS2 variety. I have
:: a Linux box and an XP box I want to be able switch between using
:: the Scroll Lock key as the switch. I am supposed to press the
:: Scroll Lock key twice within 2 seconds, then press the up or
:: down arrow to select which port I want to use. This is fine in
:: Linux, but the scroll lock key behaves differently in windows,
:: all it does is turn on a light on the keyboard. Not sure what it
:: is supposed to indicate, but it is on the right hand side of the
:: Caps Lock light. Pressing the scroll lock ket just turns this
:: light on and off.
:: Is there some way I can change the behaviour of the scroll lock
:: key in Windows?
:: I dual boot the windows box, between Server 03 and XP Pro, both
:: have the same behaviour regarding the scroll lock key.
:: thanks for any assistance.
:: Cheers from Peter.


I do not have a Linux box running now, I do use a Belkin KVM that a
4 port unit that switches between
computers 1,2,3, or 4 (depending on how many I have set upa).

It is quit easy using the Scroll Lock and the number of the port I
want to use. So, I tap Scroll lock key
twice and then the computer number 1, 2 3, or 4 and it does indeed
switch.

amby
 
G

Guest

pmccrackan said:
This is fine in Linux, but the scroll lock key behaves differently in
windows, all it does is turn on a light on the keyboard. Not sure what it is
supposed to indicate, but it is on the right hand side of the Caps Lock
light. Pressing the scroll lock ket just turns this light on and off.
Click to expand...

Since the KVM sits between the KB and the computer, the problem can't be
related to Windows (the KVM is supposed to notice that you pressed the Scroll
Lock key twice within 2 seconds, and NOT send the key press through to the
computer).

Some of the cheaper KVM switches (like the Belkin) don't work all that well
with all keyboards, but I wouldn't expect it to work on one computer and not
on another. Try swapping the switch position of the two computers, and see if
the problem is one of the switch positions. And/or try another KB.

Good luck!
 
B

Brian A

I didn't have to do anything special with mine. Pressing the ScrLk key twice
should produce a beep and then pressing either the up/down arrow to switch machines
produces the switch. The key must be pressed twice every time you want to switch and
AFAIK it won't engage if you don't hear the beep.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
G

Guest

Thanks for the replies, I swapped the leads over and tried again, still the
same. When I press Scroll Lock key on the Linux box the KVM makes a beep and
it's light blinks, then press the up arrow and I'm into the Windows box, in
the Windows box, pressing the Scroll lock key once still just turns on the
light at the far right end of the keyboard, pressing it again within the 2
seconds just turns that light off again, the KVM switch does nothing.
The only way to switch back to the Linux box is to shut down the Windows box.
A faulty product perhaps?
Cheers from Peter.
 
L

LVTravel

Check the cable from the PC to the KVM. Turn off the PC
(totally power down), check that the cable is attached at
both ends properly and then power on the PC. This probably
will fix your problem. If it doesn't you need to physically
switch the cables between the Linux box and the PC box.
Does the Linux box now not work? If so, it is a bad cable.
I have a Belkin KVM (4) switch and occasionally my server
won't connect (I have a loose PS2 port on my server
motherboard) and when it works loose and I switch it hangs
just like you describe. I am assuming you are using a PS2
keyboard and connection with the computers.


message
 
G

Guest

See my previous post. Swapping cables does nothing at all.
Reboots, jiggling connections etc, no avail.
Will take the KVM back to supplier for testing.
Cheers from Peter.
 
G

Guest

Too late! I took it back to Harris Tech, after describing the problem they
just changed it over for me. I went with a KVM switch that has a hardware
switch this time. I have the option to use the scroll lock key as well.
Interestingly the scroll lock is exactly the same as the previous Belkin
switch. Does not work on the Windows box. However the hardware switch is fine.
Is there anything in BIOS that could be having an influence on this. The
machine that gives the trouble has an ASUS K8V-MX Motherboard. the other one
has a Gigabyte S Series GA-M55plus-S3G.
Cheers from Peter.
 
L

LVTravel

I read your post and am glad that you got it working with a new KVM.

Since I was not there to see you switch the cables, I didn't know if you
just took the two cable ends off the KVM and switched them or unhooked both
ends of the cables and put them on a different computer. A lot of people
will only switch the end that is attached to the KVM, because it is easier
than reaching behind a computer, and the 3rd sentence of my post would check
that problem.
 
B

Brian A

There's nothing in the BIOS that I'm aware of, unless perhaps it's a PnP issue.
You could see if enabling/disabling PnP has any effect if it's in the BIOS.

Just another thought: Earlier you mention pressing the lock key once switches the
kb light on, pressing it again switches it off, that's what it should do. You also
mention doing it within the 2 sec. time limit. Does the same happen without a beep
if you press the key twice without any wait between presses?

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
G

Guest

PNP did it. Well done! PNP was tunred OFF in the bios, so I enabled it and
now I press the scroll lock key and turn on the light, then press scroll lock
key twice within the 2 seconds, then press 2 to get back to my Linux box. As
far as I know everything else still works the same on the Windows box.
That was definitely not happening before.
Thanks for the help.
Cheers form Peter.
 
G

Guest

All cable swapping was done form the PC end, there is no choice with the
particular units I had, they have built in cabling.
Cheers from Peter.
 
B

Brian A

Why do you press the scrlck key once to turn the light on and then twice to engage
switching, is it required for your particular KVM make/model? AFAIK you should be
able to just press it twice in concession, hear the beep and then be able to switch.

Other than that, glad to see a resolution has come forth. Happy switching.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
G

Guest

Funnily enough, thats the only way it would work, to start with. Now however
it is fine, just the 2 presses then the number to selct the port I want.
Thanks again for your help
Cheers from Peter
 

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