Non mac keyboards.

[Faustus]

Need a non make USB keyboard for my mac because of my KVM. If I don't get a logitech (which are kinda pricy) what happens to the extended keys like volume, mute, and eject?

Never done this before.

[adcvideo]

I use a standard cheapo Microsoft keyboard with OS X, (in fact it is a PS/2 keyboard with a PS/2 --->USB adaptor) It works fine, but none of the extra MS buttons do anything, except that OS X maps the Start key as the Apple key. And there is no open disk tray button.

More useful is the standard USB Microsoft mouse, this provides a working right mouse button (yes it brings up a context menu) and scroll wheel.

[rumplestiltskin]

Get a different KVM. I use a cheap one from Hawking Technology and use the standard "white keys" Mac keyboard that came with my G5. Works fine.

[Faustus]

More useful is the standard USB Microsoft mouse, this provides a working right mouse button (yes it brings up a context menu) and scroll wheel.

First thing I do on a new mac is replace the mouse with a two button one.

Get a different KVM. I use a cheap one from Hawking Technology and use the standard "white keys" Mac keyboard that came with my G5. Works fine.

Yeah but what key is your switch computers key? I've found the ones that don't use scroll lock to suck really badly.

[tgpo]

And there is no open disk tray button.

Just use F12

[rumplestiltskin]

Yeah but what key is your switch computers key? I've found the ones that don't use scroll lock to suck really badly.

The Hawking KVM has its own switch. The unit is right in front of my keyboard and I simply press that switch and USB/VGA are switched between the Mac and the PC. I think I paid about $30 for the unit.

Hope this helps.

[Ladd]

Exactly which model of Hawking KVM do you use?

I'm looking a KVM that will connect a PC with PS/2 and a Mac with USB to a 22" Cinema display with DVI connector.

[rumplestiltskin]

Exactly which model of Hawking KVM do you use?

I'm looking a KVM that will connect a PC with PS/2 and a Mac with USB to a 22" Cinema display with DVI connector.

I'm using the CS-102U. It's VGA and USB (no PS2). However, you might try a PS2>USB adapter to get everything to USB. Another possibility would be installing a USB card into a PCI slot in the PC (probably under $15).

The only downside I've found to this particular arrangement is when I have to boot the PC with a particular key held down (Delete or F8, for example). In this case, only a PS2 keyboard seems to work. I've tried a USB keyboard (a Microsoft unit) directly connected to the PC and the PC (a Shuttle XPC) seems only to recognize a keyboard plugged into PS2 during the bootup. I suspect the USB drivers are just not available that early in the boot process.



However, here's another solution that may be cheaper in the long run: Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection software is free for OSX. It's the "client" version. The "server" version (client & server, actually) comes with XP Pro and permits my Mac to control everything on the PC via Ethernet. It's definitely too slow a connection for gaming, obviously (and even watching videos), but the connection is robust and even permits you to share your Mac drives over this connection if you wish; I just log into the Mac from the PC over the network to grab or drop files. Think about that recursively complex connection: Mac using RDC to connect to PC over the network which then connects to the Mac over the network to move files.

It's actually quite straightforward and simple and very reliable. I even get a better video picture doing this as the video circuitry on my Mac is superior to the on-board video in the PC.

Here's the macupdate link to the software:

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/8431

[Faustus]

I just spent $80 on a logitech USB keyboard/mouse combo because it will work with mac and PC.

Guess what? Only works with my mac if I plug it in directly but works fine on my PC on the KVM switch.

WTF this sucks!

edit: crisis avoided, error was on my end (long story) now if I could just figure out why the Logitech software can't control the volume like it says it can.