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nurseferatu

3 Posts

32580

July 31st, 2007 16:00

Can I use a KVM switch with a D/Dock expansion station?

I have 2 Dell systems: A new desktop PC with 2 monitors (birthday present), and a new Latitude 620 with D/Dock expansion station (new job). Both run XP Professional. I want to use the laptop at home, and run it on a KVM switch so I can use the same monitors, keyboard, and trackball for both.
 
I got an IO Gear KVM switch that supports 2 computers with dual monitors. But when I called IO Gear with a question about hooking it up, the Tech Support guy said they didn't support docking stations...so I'm taking it back to the store.
 
I see there have been problems with KVMs and expansion stations. Can anyone tell me in *relatively* simple terms how to make this all work together?

If the laptop only has one monitor port (VGA) on the back of it, but the expansion station has 2 (one VGA and one DVI), can I support 2 monitors through the KVM switch?
 
Thanks.          Nurseferatu

speedstep

9 Legend

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47K Posts

July 31st, 2007 16:00

Easiest way is to get the USB version of the KVM.
I use them with CDOCK and DDOCK and they work fine.
MiniView™ Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch (GCS632U)
http://iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GCS632U
2-Port USB PLUS KVM Switch with Built-in KVM Cables and Audio Support
 
Best Buy , Compusa, etc  have these in stock.
 
Then you leave the power brick attached to the dock all the time.
 
No you cant support 2 monitors thru the switch.
 
The reason USB works and PS2 Doesnt is because PS2 mice and keyboards are not hot
swappable like USB Keyboards and mice are.
 
Also happens to work with my Mac Mini and a GX280.
 


Message Edited by SpeedStep on 07-31-2007 01:47 PM

nurseferatu

3 Posts

July 31st, 2007 16:00

Thank you for responding so quickly! Okay, let's see if I understand you. I should buy the MiniView Micro USB Plus KVM switch, connect my keyboard, trackball, and one monitor to it, and thus should be able to use it to switch between the desktop PC and the laptop's docking station. I should keep the docking station plugged in (with power to it) all the time. Questions: If I keep one monitor plugged into my desktop computer only, and the other monitor (DVI, higher resolution) connected to both via the KVM, will I be able to see 2 monitors when I switch to the desktop PC? My poor old ergo keyboard is PS2. I have a PS2-to-USB adapter, so I can plug it into a USB port. But will that be good enough to fool the USB KVM switch? Thanks again for your expertise... Nurseferatu

ijor

24 Posts

August 1st, 2007 15:00


SpeedStep wrote:
Easiest way is to get the USB version of the KVM.
...
The reason USB works and PS2 Doesnt is because PS2 mice and keyboards are not hot swappable like USB Keyboards and mice are.
I am very curious to know why a PS2 KVM switch wouldn't work with a docking station (never tried, but I plan to have that setup).
 
The docking station is supposed to be completely transparent for the KVM switch and viceversa. I don't think they have any way to "know" about each other. That is, the KVM has no way to distinguish between being connected to a docking station or directly to the notebook. And the docking station shouldn't see any difference if connected directly to the keyboard and/or mouse, or indirectly through the KVM switch.
 
Yes, PS2 is not hotplug and USB is, but this is not particular to a docking station. Whatever hotplug issues you have, you will have them without a docking station as well (assuming, of course, you use a notebook with integrated PS2 ports).
 
I suppose what Iogear support means, is that they don't *offer technical support* when using a docking station. And not that the KVM switch doesn't work with a docking station.
 
I still agree though, that in many cases an USB switch might be better.
 

nurseferatu

3 Posts

August 1st, 2007 21:00

Actually the IOGear Tech Support person specifically said that if I tried to use their KVM switch with my docking station, I would have problems seeing the screen and using the keyboard. He said that when I switched between machines, things would not work consistently. Looking back over the history of this topic, I think there is something to this. I am going to try the USB KVM switch suggested yesterday...just need some time to get to Fry's. I am determined to make this work because otherwise, I'll be sick of switching myriad cables all the time. Nurseferatu

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