Since all the details of how I got my KVM switch working reliably with my Sam440 & OS4.1 are spread across many posts in several threads (see here, here, here & somewhere else!). I thought I'd summarise them in one post.
What is a KVM switch? A box to allow sharing one keyboard, mouse, monitor & sound between two computers. In my case I needed one to allow sharing a DVI monitor, a USB keyboard, a USB mouse & speakers between my Sam440 & my Windows PC.
Which KVM switch am I using? I am using the StarTech.com 2 Port DVI + USB KVM Switch with Audio, although I strongly suspect that the Avocent SwitchView is internally identical. The StarTech unit was the cheapest KVM switch which looked half-decent a year ago, but beware that it does not come with any cables, so you have to buy two sets of cables separately.
What problems did you encounter & how did you work-around them?
* The KVM refuses to show Sam's screen unless either (1) it is switched to show the Sam440 *before* turning the Sam on, or (2) my Windows PC is switched on first.
While I prefer Option 1, it is not so easy because the KVM automatically switches to the the Windows PC when the KVM first gets power, therefore you ALWAYS have to switch views before turning the Sam on. But after that it is fine - soft resets of the Sam do not matter.
* Due to a KVM bug, the Sam440 thinks a key or button has been pressed, making OS4 tend to boot without the startup-sequence. ZeroG & Rogue explain what you need to do.
* The keyboard & mouse will not work on the Sam if the KVM is plugged into the Sam440's lower USB port, seemingly due to not getting enough power. So plug it into the top port. Other work-arounds are plugging the KVM into mains power, or having the Windows PC switched on!
* Sometimes the KVM would refuse to show OS4, after a screen blanker had been running. The OS4.1 QuickFix resolved this problem. Last edited by ChrisH on 15-Sep-2009 at 07:30 AM.
Last edited by ChrisH on 14-Sep-2009 at 03:59 PM.
_________________
Author of the PortablE programming language.
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue... |
12 crawler(s) on-line.
101 guest(s) on-line.
2 member(s) on-line.
ChrisH 
