stuff and even more problems.... [ to mostly the hard core ]

[Gary Kline-5]

        hey guys,

        my last e-troubles happened a few months ago, or several weeks
        ago, when my old KVM unit began flaking out.  the one computer
        buddy i have in the seattle area suggested i order a 4-port
        iogear.  i did and he installed it.  it was .LT. sixty bux
        and next-to-worthless given my disability.[*]  altho i did type
        down the conversation between iogear and my friend, i'll spare
        you.  nutshell: they refused to swap and upgrade for something
        i could more readily use.  --i'll post the entire story on my
        freebsd pages in time.

        my new/used dell inspiron-530 is here.  it is installed to as far
        as i can install it.  trouble is that i see on the dell screen

        "Keyboard failure"

        and a message to press F2 to setup.  the kvm has the old ps2
        plugs and no adaptors to USB.  i have the dell kybd here, come
        to think of it, but i'm waaay the hell beyond achy to get down
        and muck around and test.

        what's your best guess, folks?  the computer parts stores
        around here have largely shut down ...but if ordering an
        adaptor or two will fix things, i'll do it.

        any thoughts on this?  i think i would need at least 547 pain
        meds to get back down there and plug in the kyboard; i might
        drowse off

        gary


[*] gotta type CTRL-ALT-Shift at just the right keyrate (+/- 0.000000000001s:)
    to change ports.

--
 Gary Kline  kline@...  http://www.thought.org  Public Service Unix
        http://jottings.thought.org   http://transfinite.thought.org
    The 7.31a release of Jottings: http://jottings.thought.org/index.php

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[Al Plant-2]

Gary Kline wrote:

> hey guys,
>
> my last e-troubles happened a few months ago, or several weeks
> ago, when my old KVM unit began flaking out.  the one computer
> buddy i have in the seattle area suggested i order a 4-port
> iogear.  i did and he installed it.  it was .LT. sixty bux
> and next-to-worthless given my disability.[*]  altho i did type
> down the conversation between iogear and my friend, i'll spare
> you.  nutshell: they refused to swap and upgrade for something
> i could more readily use.  --i'll post the entire story on my
> freebsd pages in time.
>
> my new/used dell inspiron-530 is here.  it is installed to as far
> as i can install it.  trouble is that i see on the dell screen
>
> "Keyboard failure"
>
> and a message to press F2 to setup.  the kvm has the old ps2
> plugs and no adaptors to USB.  i have the dell kybd here, come
> to think of it, but i'm waaay the hell beyond achy to get down
> and muck around and test.
>
> what's your best guess, folks?  the computer parts stores
> around here have largely shut down ...but if ordering an
> adaptor or two will fix things, i'll do it.
>
> any thoughts on this?  i think i would need at least 547 pain
> meds to get back down there and plug in the kyboard; i might
> drowse off
>
> gary
>
>
> [*] gotta type CTRL-ALT-Shift at just the right keyrate (+/- 0.000000000001s:)
>     to change ports.
>

Aloha Gary,

Radio Shack has a converter from PS2 to usb for stuff like that. I
bought a kit of converters from Home Depot her in Honolulu for the same
purpose.

The KVM switch I have in the server room is PS2 but has little switches
on the front that change the mouse , monitor and keyboard with a light
pressure. Even a pencil with an eraser on it could be used to change
from one of any of eight ports.

Send me a picture of the setup you have and I'll see if I can figure out
a way to work it for you.

~Al Plant - Honolulu, Hawaii -  Phone:  [phone]
   + http://hawaiidakine.com + http://freebsdinfo.org +
   + http://aloha50.net   - Supporting - FreeBSD  7.2 - 8.0 - 9* +
   < email: noc@... >
"All that's really worth doing is what we do for others."- Lewis Carrol

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[Galactic_Dominator]

On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 8:40 PM, Gary Kline <kline@...> wrote:

>        hey guys,
>
>        my last e-troubles happened a few months ago, or several weeks
>        ago, when my old KVM unit began flaking out.  the one computer
>        buddy i have in the seattle area suggested i order a 4-port
>        iogear.  i did and he installed it.  it was .LT. sixty bux
>        and next-to-worthless given my disability.[*]  altho i did type
>        down the conversation between iogear and my friend, i'll spare
>        you.  nutshell: they refused to swap and upgrade for something
>        i could more readily use.  --i'll post the entire story on my
>        freebsd pages in time.
>
>        my new/used dell inspiron-530 is here.  it is installed to as far
>        as i can install it.  trouble is that i see on the dell screen
>
>        "Keyboard failure"
>
>        and a message to press F2 to setup.  the kvm has the old ps2
>        plugs and no adaptors to USB.  i have the dell kybd here, come
>        to think of it, but i'm waaay the hell beyond achy to get down
>        and muck around and test.
>
>        what's your best guess, folks?  the computer parts stores
>        around here have largely shut down ...but if ordering an
>        adaptor or two will fix things, i'll do it.
>
>        any thoughts on this?  i think i would need at least 547 pain
>        meds to get back down there and plug in the kyboard; i might
>        drowse off
>
>        gary
>
>
> [*] gotta type CTRL-ALT-Shift at just the right keyrate (+/-
> 0.000000000001s:)
>    to change ports.
>
>

PS/2 keyboards are still plentiful and cheap...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201029

I've had varied luck with adapters and since they're about the same price
just as easy to keep a ps/2 around.

--
Adam Vande More
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[Gary Kline-5]

On Sat, Nov 07, 2009 at 09:42:34PM -0600, Adam Vande More wrote:

> On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 8:40 PM, Gary Kline <kline@...> wrote:
>
> >        hey guys,
> >
> >        my last e-troubles happened a few months ago, or several weeks
> >        ago, when my old KVM unit began flaking out.  the one computer
> >        buddy i have in the seattle area suggested i order a 4-port
> >        iogear.  i did and he installed it.  it was .LT. sixty bux
> >        and next-to-worthless given my disability.[*]  altho i did type
> >        down the conversation between iogear and my friend, i'll spare
> >        you.  nutshell: they refused to swap and upgrade for something
> >        i could more readily use.  --i'll post the entire story on my
> >        freebsd pages in time.
> >
> >        my new/used dell inspiron-530 is here.  it is installed to as far
> >        as i can install it.  trouble is that i see on the dell screen
> >
> >        "Keyboard failure"
> >
> >        and a message to press F2 to setup.  the kvm has the old ps2
> >        plugs and no adaptors to USB.  i have the dell kybd here, come
> >        to think of it, but i'm waaay the hell beyond achy to get down
> >        and muck around and test.
> >
> >        what's your best guess, folks?  the computer parts stores
> >        around here have largely shut down ...but if ordering an
> >        adaptor or two will fix things, i'll do it.
> >
> >        any thoughts on this?  i think i would need at least 547 pain
> >        meds to get back down there and plug in the kyboard; i might
> >        drowse off
> >
> >        gary
> >
> >
> > [*] gotta type CTRL-ALT-Shift at just the right keyrate (+/-
> > 0.000000000001s:)
> >    to change ports.
> >
> >
> PS/2 keyboards are still plentiful and cheap...
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201029
>
> I've had varied luck with adapters and since they're about the same price
> just as easy to keep a ps/2 around.
>
> --
> Adam Vande More

        the keybd isn't the problem.  it is in the box with a bunch of
        misc stuff i don't need.  problem is that on my KVM switch are
        only ps2 plugs.  on the back of the dell are USB jacks.  i
        need something to convert from the PS2 plug to fit into the
        USB ....  


--
 Gary Kline  kline@...  http://www.thought.org  Public Service Unix
        http://jottings.thought.org   http://transfinite.thought.org
    The 7.31a release of Jottings: http://jottings.thought.org/index.php

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[Robert Huff]

Gary Kline writes:

>   the keybd isn't the problem.  it is in the box with a bunch of
>   misc stuff i don't need.  problem is that on my KVM switch are
>   only ps2 plugs.  on the back of the dell are USB jacks.  i
>   need something to convert from the PS2 plug to fit into the
>   USB ....  

        Have you actually tried this elsewhere and had it work?
Because I'm certainly no expert on KVMs, but that sounds like a
"more likely to fail than succeed" scenario.
        (I use a StarTech four port USB KVM, and would be interested in
a good model that handles DVI/HDMI as opposed to 15 pin VGA video.)

        Respectfully,


                                        Robert Huff

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[Gary Kline-5]

On Sun, Nov 08, 2009 at 01:50:43AM -0500, Robert Huff wrote:

>
> Gary Kline writes:
>
> >   the keybd isn't the problem.  it is in the box with a bunch of
> >   misc stuff i don't need.  problem is that on my KVM switch are
> >   only ps2 plugs.  on the back of the dell are USB jacks.  i
> >   need something to convert from the PS2 plug to fit into the
> >   USB ....  
>
> Have you actually tried this elsewhere and had it work?
> Because I'm certainly no expert on KVMs, but that sounds like a
> "more likely to fail than succeed" scenario.
> (I use a StarTech four port USB KVM, and would be interested in
> a good model that handles DVI/HDMI as opposed to 15 pin VGA video.)
>

        indeed not; and that is why i asked here.   i DID find some
        ps2 <-> usb ... somewhere.  google that and you see what i
        did.  unless i was hallucinating!

        gents, i am and have been years behind the bleeding-edge
        stuff.  the intel duo stuff has been around awhile so while it
        isn't that bloody, it is new to me.

        it may be my KVM Stuff or not.  that's the $64.0 question.

        gary


> Respectfully,
>
>
> Robert Huff
>

--
 Gary Kline  kline@...  http://www.thought.org  Public Service Unix
        http://jottings.thought.org   http://transfinite.thought.org
    The 7.31a release of Jottings: http://jottings.thought.org/index.php

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[PerryH-2]

Gary Kline <kline@...> wrote:
> the keybd isn't the problem ...  problem is that on my KVM
> switch are only ps2 plugs.  on the back of the dell are USB
> jacks.  i need something to convert from the PS2 plug to
> fit into the USB ....  

Such things do exist:
http://www.amazon.com/Adesso-Adapter-connects-connectors-ADP-PU21/dp/B00008ZPED
http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-USB-PS-2-Converter/dp/B0007T27HI
http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-USB-Male-Female-Adapter/dp/B000658ETS
http://www.frys.com/product/3470803
http://www.frys.com/product/3866207
http://www.frys.com/product/4161343
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[Polytropon]

On Sat, 7 Nov 2009 18:40:41 -0800, Gary Kline <kline@...> wrote:
>  it was .LT. sixty bux
> and next-to-worthless given my disability.[*]
> [...]
> [*] gotta type CTRL-ALT-Shift at just the right keyrate (+/- 0.000000000001s:)
>     to change ports.

What happended to the "old" fahioned way of having a simple
knob that you can turn to one of the 4 positions? Too
mechanically? Not "modern" enough? Not prone enough to
errors?

I sill have such a switch here, but I'm lacking the cables;
they are maybe triple as expensive as a new "modern" switch
including cables which requires a race across the keyboard
in order to switch the targets.

Man, I sound sooo oooold... :-)

Back on topic: With the use of an USB->PS/2 adaptor, you
could be lucky; most USB keyboards function as intended in
such a setting, but I've already found that not all of them
do. Strangely, the older ones (such as IBM model M) do, but
I had a "modern" Dell keyboard that didn't work with a
converter as mentioned above, allthoug it should (and worked
correct plugged in directly, and other keyboards workeed
correct with the adaptor).

Strange stuff, produced by "modern" IT manufacturers...

You'll end up having to try it.



--
Polytropon
Magdeburg, Germany
Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0
Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...
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[Gary Kline-5]

On Sun, Nov 08, 2009 at 09:57:13PM +0100, Polytropon wrote:

> On Sat, 7 Nov 2009 18:40:41 -0800, Gary Kline <kline@...> wrote:
> >  it was .LT. sixty bux
> > and next-to-worthless given my disability.[*]
> > [...]
> > [*] gotta type CTRL-ALT-Shift at just the right keyrate (+/- 0.000000000001s:)
> >     to change ports.
>
> What happended to the "old" fahioned way of having a simple
> knob that you can turn to one of the 4 positions? Too
> mechanically? Not "modern" enough? Not prone enough to
> errors?
>

        hah.  i had no idea what i was ordering--well, other than a KVM
        switch.  doubt if my college friend did either.  what i bought
        was around sixty bux; the model with buttons Plus cables was around
        $150.  und, zo, i guess do you get what pay for.  except that::
        there was nothing in the ad about having to hit ctrl-alt-shift so
        precisely.  live 'n' learn, guys.  they are looking to gouge you
        out of every last penny every which way they can.

> I sill have such a switch here, but I'm lacking the cables;
> they are maybe triple as expensive as a new "modern" switch
> including cables which requires a race across the keyboard
> in order to switch the targets.


        i was typing the three keys in about 1/15th sec. too fast.
        about 1/5th sec is too slow.  i can't guess the rate, but it's hard
        to get just-right!  (here is where i would pull out my hair and yell
        AARGH ... but i'm too fried:)


>
> Man, I sound sooo oooold... :-)

       
>
> Back on topic: With the use of an USB->PS/2 adaptor, you
> could be lucky; most USB keyboards function as intended in
> such a setting, but I've already found that not all of them
> do. Strangely, the older ones (such as IBM model M) do, but
> I had a "modern" Dell keyboard that didn't work with a
> converter as mentioned above, allthoug it should (and worked
> correct plugged in directly, and other keyboards workeed
> correct with the adaptor).


        i think you have it backwards, polyt.  the kvm switch has
        PS/2 plugs; the dell has [[i think female]] slots/jacks.
        tomorrow [OR monday/ here:)], i'll dig out the keyboard and
        plug its usb connector.  see if the crapy/bleepy "os" boots.
        LOL.  

>
> Strange stuff, produced by "modern" IT manufacturers...
>
> You'll end up having to try it.
>


        i copy that, man.

        gary

        PS: One solid bit of good news is that Zeus is answering my
            prayers.  no power-outs here

>
>
> --
> Polytropon
> Magdeburg, Germany
> Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0
> Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...

--
 Gary Kline  kline@...  http://www.thought.org  Public Service Unix
        http://jottings.thought.org   http://transfinite.thought.org
    The 7.31a release of Jottings: http://jottings.thought.org/index.php

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