I have built a separate computer for work and personal use (i.e. writing). This week, I set out on a crusade to resolve the issues of using two boxes at one desk. The goals were:
- Use same dual monitors, both with a DVI connections
- Use same USB Keyboard and mouse
- Listen to audio on one box while viewing the other
- Ability to switch USB devices between boxes
- Sanity restored
I settled on the LinksKey LDV-DM702AUSK 2-port Dual Monitor DVI KVM Switch w/7.1 surround sound support. Boy is that ever a mouthful! Couldn’t they have called it a SwitchPod or something equally trendy? (yes, trendy requires the prefix “i-”, or suffix “-pod”)
After hooking up my new switch, several problems immediately surfaced. Click on read more to read about details and solutions and my final recommendation.
1. My second PC won’t boot (Windows XP Pro SP3). It gets to the windows login and hangs. Using Safe Mode, I could see that this occured directly after mup.sys loads, which means when it starts loading drivers. But I didn’t find a patch or fix.
This can be corrected by disconnecting the USB cable from the KVM switch and waiting until the windows login prompt appears to connect it again. Not an easy or a happy answer, but a working solution until I can get in touch with their tech support on monday.
2. Software is completely useless. The hotkeys did not work and even the system tray icon is hideous to look at. Fortunately you don’t need it. You can just read the manual and use the ScrLk+ScrLk+key commands instead.
3. DVI Connectors inluded don’t work with older DVI monitors. I didn’t know much about DVI connectors before purchasing this, but it turns out there are 4 different kinds. My Samsung LCDs and my Dell Port Replicator all use DVI-D dual. However, my new KVM Switch comes with DVI-I dual cables.
Fortunately, I had some old DVI cables around from previous monitors. So the answer is that older DVI cables work fine, but don’t come with the unit.
4. Does not work with DVI to VGA adapters. I didn’t really dare to hope it would, but only the newest video cards come with dual DVI, most still have DVI+VGA for dual monitor support. This isn’t a problem for me as I updated the video cards before purchasing the KVM.
All-in-all, the KVM Switch works great, as long as I don’t need to restart my PC for any reason. Restarting the PC is a considerable pain of disconnecting and reconnecting cables.
Would I recommend the LinksKey KVM for others? Only for the most serious computer buffs needing dual DVI monitors and usb keyboard for two computers at a single desk, with complex audio and USB peripherals. There are plenty of alternatives for simpler needs.