KVM mouse problem

scootersmk · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2003 1:21 am Post subject: KVM mouse problem

I have a Belkin Omniview SE 4-port KVM switch and I have a problem every time i switch from gentoo box to another computer and back the mouse does not work. I have read other posts on the forums with similar problems, but the only solution i found was to kill x and start it again. The only other work around i found was to switch to a different xsession(ex: Ctrl+Alt+F1) which is alot better that having to kill X all together. I have tried all the different mouse protocols(ex: PS/2, IMPS/2, ExplorerPS/2). They all work intially, but not after a switch. Just wanted to make this post if anyone has this problem they can either post another fix or atleast so they will see this work around that kinda solves the problem.

Help is greatly appreciated and also hope this might help some others.

phunni · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 3:14 pm Post subject:

Any other fix found for this?
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BarryJ · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 5:51 pm Post subject:

I used to have the same problem. I think I fixed it by disabling sleep mode for the monitor in X. I think that was the problem because if I switched quickly and came back, it still worked, but if I waited a while (long enough for it to put the monitor in sleep mode) then the mouse wouldn't work when I came back. I have since formatted and rebuilt everything and I no longer have this problem (although the monitor also doesn't seem to go into sleep at all by default now). Also I don't think what brand of KVM matters because I'm using a Starview.

phunni · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 6:17 pm Post subject:

My mouse still works - it just goes crazy! I do not need to wait for the monitor to go to sleep for this to happen.

I found this issue mentioned in the back of my KVM switch manual (Belkin) but none of the suggested fixes help...
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BarryJ · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 6:22 pm Post subject:

does dmesg give you any strange messages when the mouse is going crazy?

phunni · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 8:15 am Post subject:

dmesg shows nothing when this happens.

The troubleshooting section of my KVM switch manual says:

1) Make sure you do not have more than one mouse driver loaded and that mouse is standard ps/2

2) mentions AUTOEXEC.BAT - not relevant

3)avoid moving the mouse when switching

4) you can reset the mouse by unpluggin it fomr the front and waiting 2-3 seconds before plugging it in again

I have been through all this and 4 is the only one that looked relevant - but it simply causes the mouse to stop working :-(

This problem seems to defeat the object of having a KVM switch as I can't switch back to my gentoo box unless I'm preppared to restart X!
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blueworm · l33t Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 962

This is a KVM problem.
I have a D-link DKVM-2 and I can switch pc's like crazy no problems at all...
I did not have to configure anything... I have had it almost 18 months, in which time I have tried several differrent linux distro's, and none have given me any problems with this.

phunni · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 2:15 pm Post subject:

I had pretty much figured out that this is a KVM problem and not a Linux one (although this does not happen if my main PC is running windows...) - I need a fix for it though (if there is one!) - I can't just go out and buy an ew KVM box!
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phunni · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 4:55 pm Post subject:

As a point of interest - this problem does not occur when I'm switching to a machine using Red Hat.

I'm therefore wondering maybe if this is something to do with my X setup. My current XF86Config-4 file is to be found here

I figured that saved making this a huge post
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blueworm · l33t Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 962

Try add this to your XF86Config-4 Section "ServerFlags"

phunni · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 8:40 pm Post subject:

no difference...

Also tried unplugging to see if it would now reset - but no

I compared the Red Hat XF86Config to the gentoo one and the only difference in the mouse section is the device - /dev/input/mice in red hat. This doesn't exist on my gentoo machine
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paranode · l33t Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 679 Location: Texas

/dev/input/mice I think comes from the Input Core support section of the kernel configuration. Might want to check that out. Also, are you using USB?
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FruitCake · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2003 6:31 am Post subject:

I have the same problem, none of the fixes work.

I'd also strongly suggest you dont bother going to kernel 2.6. Changing consoles and restarting X cant even fix the problem under 2.6.

to anyone considering a Belkin KVM dont bother with the Omniview E series get something where you can manage it settings and change the Mouse Emulation mode.

phunni · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:07 am Post subject:

I don't have input core support enabled and I'm only using a ps/2 mouse and keyboard.

If I'm not using ps/2 - is there any benefit in trying to enable Input Core support?
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phunni · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2003 6:05 pm Post subject:

OK - I have found that <ctrl>-<alt>-<f3> followed by <ctrl>-<alt>-<f7> sorts the mouse out - but it makes my colours go absolutely screwy!

Anyone have any ideas as to how I can fix this? If I can get my colours back to normal then the problem is fixed enough for me...
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digitalsy · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 2:06 am Post subject:

I also have a D-Link kvm (DKVM-4) and in on switching from pc to pc the mouse still works....this was a relatively cheap kvm also, about 99$CAN a year ago.
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slarti` · Retired Dev Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 376 Location: UK

Man.. I have an OmniView E series 4-Port as well. I've been having the same problem. It seems the mouse is recognized as a keyboard :S

I'm trying using /dev/input/mice instead of /dev/mouse for both gpm and X now, and I'll see if that works... I really hope so...
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phunni · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 9:51 am Post subject:

Please post and let us know how you get on...
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phunni · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 1:20 pm Post subject:

I seem to have found a solution to the problem

In my XF86Config-4 the mouse protocol was defined as "ImPS/2", by changing this to "PS/2" I now no longer have the crazy mouse problem

I have to say though, I don't know why...
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phunni · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:03 pm Post subject:

Discovered that this is not such a wonderful solution - I have lost the use of my mouse wheel...

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slarti` · Retired Dev Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 376 Location: UK

By unplugging my mouse from the KVM after the switch and then plugging it back in again seems to fix the problem. No restarting X needed either. This is annoying though and sooner or later it's gonna mean that the pins on the plug are gonna wear down... PS/2's were never designed to be being unplugged / plugged in all the time, were they?
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phunni · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:48 pm Post subject:

Doesn't work for me...

The only solution I have found is to wither change virtual console and then change back - but this causes weird colours, or to change the mouse protocol as above - but this causes me to lose the use of my mouse wheel...

The latter is the lesser of the two problems
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Linuxboy · n00b Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 13

I have a Belkin Omniview SE 4-Port and the live CD (1.4 8 something) does not work with the KVM keyboard shortcut but once the install is done and I'm running the real OS the keyboard, mouse, wheel and everything works even when I use the KVM keyboard shortcut.

Moving the mouse while switching sometimes locks everything, so I just don't do it and I do occasionaly get stray characters when using the KVM keyboard shortcut.

During install I have to make sure to use the channel button on the KVM when leaving the Gentoo screen or the keyboard locks up until I warm boot.

I've got other Gentoo and other Linux's of many versions and vintages on Avocent (Cybex) AV424 as well as their old Autoview8 switches and they all work just fine for me. (these are a bit pricey for use outside the data-center)

I didn't think I'd done anything special, but if you'll tell me which config files you want, Ill post them.

Linuxboy

phunni · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 6:04 pm Post subject:

IT would be interesting to see at least the mouse portion of your XF86Config-4

What kind of mouse do you have?
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Linuxboy · n00b Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 13