Keyboard Multiplier and KVM set up

[CTOAN]

I just received the Vetra 4 port Keyboard multiplier. I have it hooked up to work with a desktop and a notebook computer currently.

I also have the 4 port KVM with ports for video, PS2 mouse and PS2 keyboard.

My desktop computer has 1 PS2 mouse port, 1 PS2 keyboard port and a host of USB ports. Notebook is USB for keyboard and mouse.

What I want to do is to use the KVM so I can select to use the keyboard multiplier or to use the desktop computer without multiplying the keyboard or to use the notebook computer without multiplying. I have a question as to how to set this up.



Currently I am plugged in the keyboard to KVM. In PC 1 section, I have a cable going from the KVM to the keyboard multiplier. Then I have a cable going from one output on the multiplier to the PS2 keyboard port on the desktop and 1 to a USB port on the notebook (converting the PS2 to USB). That works fine and the keyboard is being multiplied to both computers.

What I thought I could do was to plus into the KVM the mouse I am using and the monitor. Then I have a set of KVM cables with video, PS2 cable for mouse and PS2 for keyboard. I thought that for the PC 2 output I would then connect those cables from the KVM to the desktop and then for PC 3 output would then connect those calbes to the notebook.



However, now I'm not sure that is right. For one thing, I don't have another PS2 port on the desktop so where would I plug in the KVM cables since I am already using the PS2 keyboard port to plug in the cable from the keyboard multiplier.

How do I need to connect the KVM and the multiplier to achieve what I want? (Hope this isn't confusing). Thanks.

[Sun]

pretty sure Vetra has something of what your wanting. Cant remember exactly what it was but it allows you to use multiple mouse in front of your KVM switch. I couldnt get mine to work because it will not convert USB to PS/2. Has to be PS2 all the way. Call Vetra to get the one that doesnt have any delays on it. They special made an order for one of us boxers to not have that delay in it. I got one of those they had made. Currently not using it as intended. But it sounds to me this is what you want to do. Have multiple devices hooked up...Xkey..mouse...keyboard then KVM switch...
example
XKEY..........
mouse........
keyboard.....
................4PORT switch???.....................dont remember what they called...just explain to Vetra what your wanting to do..be sure to also tell them u .................................................. ......dont want any delays in it
................KVM switch
.............................PC1
.............................PC2
.............................PC3
.............................ETC

[CTOAN]

I'm not sure I want to use multiple mouses. What I am trying to do is have one keyboard, one mouse, one vide0 and then use the KVM switch to switch between doing 3 things: Using the mouse and video with the desktop but multiplying the keyboard or using the keyboard, mouse and video with the desktop but not multiplying or using the keyboard, mouse and video with the notebook but not multiplying. I thought I saw a post where someone was doing this but it didn't give the exact connections needed.

[Cernunnos]

What you need here is a Y-mouse ($60 from PI Engineering). It's also possible that the Belkin OmniView does the same thing for about half the cost ($33 from Amazon with free shipping, or $31 from Provantage). Xzin's hardware write up has an "ASCII schematic" that should be enough to figure out the wiring. It sounds like you have everything setup correctly, but that you are missing the y-mouse to allow multiple simultaneous PS/2 keyboard input.

[CTOAN]

A diagram would be helpful. Where is the Xzin diagram you mention? (Or anyone else's that shows this for that matter). I looked around and didn't find it.

[moosejaw]

Check this thread it has a lot of hardware tips and the diagram you require. Multiboxing Wiki - My 5 (Now 10!) Boxing WoW Writeup

That is a sticky in the General section for future reference.

[Cernunnos]

A diagram would be helpful. Where is the Xzin diagram you mention? (Or anyone else's that shows this for that matter). I looked around and didn't find it.

The forum link is above, but here's Xzin's diagram and text (cut out of context):

KEYBOARD
|
|
|
INPUT - Vetra KM SWITCH (8 Port) VIP-708-KM
1 2 3 4 5 78 (Output Port 1-8)
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |-----Port 8 (Unused)
| | | | | | |-----Port 7 (Unused)
| | | | | |----To PC X (Port 6)
| | | | |----To PC D (Port 5)
| | | |----To PC C (Port 4)
| | |----To PC B (Port 3)
| |-----To PC A (Port 2)
|
Input---| Keyboard Multiplier (8 Port) 2 4 Ports Can Be Daisychained
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (Output Port 1-8)
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
A B C D X (Computer A-D,X (5x total Y-Mouse or USB to PS/2 input to add a second PS/2 port on CPU A-D,X)) Ports 7 and 8 Unused.

KVM Output 1 will send to all, Output 2 will send to only PC A, 3 to only B and 4 to only C, etc. Use Scrl Lock + 1-8 to nearly instantly select a PC. (I personally use an X-keys Stick for this). Multiple 8 Port VIP-708-KMs can be chained together. The 2 and 4 ports cannot. I believe the limit is 64 units, if you want to pay for that many.

You can use a single 2 port KVM if you wish, to save money. This will NOT let you select individual PCs but it will let you select to chat OR play all 5 at once. Simply setup your keybinds to make it so only your main can run with arrow keys, different classes respond to key presses differently, etc (or just have a common template and drag and drop different spells if you want to cast on all at the same time). 2 Port only is less flexible - 8 port obviously more so. You can skimp with USB keyboards - but you NEED *SOME* method of individual key input - software (synergy) or hardware (dedicated USB keyboard).