[NTLUG:Discuss] Funky mouse behavior in FC3

[Robert Pearson]

On 6/23/05, David I S Mandala <davidm at them.com> wrote:
> ...[snip]...
> > Some KVM's don't maintain power to the mouse as they switch from one PC > > to another.  Some mice don't care - but others suffer a reset and because
> > neither PC provides them with an initialisation sequence, the mouse either
> > doesn't work or behaves weirdly.
> 
> I can confirm that, the Belkin drops power to the mouse when switching,
> the mouse is a Microsoft IntellMouse Explorer 3.0 USB / PS2 mouse. The
> LED in the mouse goes away when switching between machines.

The "break-before-make" switching is a good idea to provide isolation
to avoid clobbering one or both computers. Does it help if the KVM has
it's own external power source?

I have three desktops (2 SuSE 9.2, 1 FC4) and a laptop (SuSE 9.2)
running on a Zonet 4-port KVM. I see some odd behavior when switching
from Windows to SuSE 9.2. Particularly when Windows is booting. Zonet
recommends adding an external power supply if you get problems. I have
not tried this.

I'm looking at the USB KVM's because I have a Saitek lighted keyboard
that will only work in a USB port. My Zonet KVM only has a PS2 port. A
USB to PS2 adapter will not work. I love that lighted keyboard. I'm
wondering if using one of the new "all USB" KVM's will solve any of
the switching problems mentioned.

Thanks, Robert