Changing BIOS settings?

Works like a charm. I did what 1492 suggested and tried it without changing the BIOS. Didn't work, so I changed the BIOS in my desktop (Win XP Pro) without doing anything to the laptop (Win 7 Pro) and tried again. Everything worked; fast switch over, no problems booting up. Thanks for all the help.

trailer, i still think your a complete idiot and like usual i am done going back and forth with you,i also think your cap lock is broke, maybe its the POS KVM your using


OP let us know how you make out

Littlebill writes “Again trailer, i asked for you not to comment on my posts. like usual your opinion is wrong.

i am more then aware of how KVM's work. i use 1600 dollar Remote ip based KVM's at work.

WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE OP?

he has 2 computers. how hard is it to just send the kvm to the active screen on boot up( generally the one he will be using anyway at the moment). then once its booted into windows. he can do whatever his heart fancy's


your comments are like saying he needs a semi truck to pull a pop up, when all he need is a ford ranger. significant difference between 2 computers and hundreds”

I forgot that you don’t like me since I tend to point out misleading or incorrect info and you feel that you smarter than I.

Once again you are incredibly incorrect. Get over it.

The OP stated that the manual for the KVM they bought states “The switch installation instructions say I have to make BIOS changes "for PC users."

"1. In STANDARD CMOS, set HALT ON ERROR to ALL BUT KEYBOARD."

"2. in PNP and PCI SETUP, set PNP OS INSTALLED to YES and set USB IRQ to ENABLED."

(I broke the OP into a more legible form by separating the sentences)

First and foremost GOOD QUALITY KVMs DO NOT “ NEED” the above changes to function correctly, PERIOD.

The KVM the OP bought REQUIRES the Halt on keyboard error to be DISABLED.

The ONLY reason as to why that KVM states that "need" is because it doesn't EMULATE a keyboard on ALL ports.

This is in itself can be a MAJOR problem due to the fact that not ALL PC makers INCLUDE this as an option in the BIOS.

Not to mention the choices listed in point #2 may not even be in the BIOS (makers like Dell, HP, Compaq and so on have CUSTOM BIOSs which often does not include many user adjustable options like these).. And YES, I HAVE worked with MANY PCs that do not have any way to disable the Halt on keyboard error in the BIOS.

If the OP cannot disable the Halt on keyboard error, then the PC WILL HALT during the POST when the KVM is NOT set to the booting PC. In fact the OP may not be even able to get into the BIOS using the KVM after the POST Halt happens and would have to power down the PC and try again WITH the KVM SET to the booting PC..

Just one example of this problem can be found in the following review of a $40 KVM.

HERE

Review..

“It works great -- but there's one problem

This product works fine. Whether the switching is done manually (buttons on the device itself), or using the keyboard combination, the transfer is smooth and fast.

(Note: I haven't tried the microphone/speaker switching features.)

There is a problem when using this switcher, and it's one that never occurred to me before I used it. Your keyboard doesn't work unless the KVM switch drivers are loaded. Consequently, you can't start the CMOS setup service at power-up for example. Also you can't enter Windows "safe mode", because they both require keyboard input before Windows begins to load.

My workaround is to keep an old keyboard on the floor nearby that connects to the primary computer through the traditional keyboard connector instead of USB. This solves the problem, but having a keyboard on the floor adds to a cluttered look and is, frankly, inelegant.”

"Little" I would recommend you READ AND REREAD the section above which is in black AND IN BOLD several times BEFORE going off on me again..

Example of a BETTER $100 KVM..

HERE

From the Belkin manual

HERE

“Powering Up the Systems
The KVM Switch must be powered up before the computers.
Once all cables have been connected, power up the CPUs that are attached to the KVM Switch.

All computers can be powered on simultaneously. The KVM Switch emulates a mouse and keyboard on each port and allows your
computer to boot normally.

Your KVM Switch should now be ready for use. You can select which computer to operate by either the direct-access port selectors located on the front panel of the KVM Switch or through keyboard hot-key commands. Note that it will take 1–2 seconds for the video to display after switching. This is due to the refresh of the video signal. There is also re-synchronization of the mouse and keyboard signal that takes place. This is normal operation and ensures that proper synchronization is established.”

“Little”, I suggest you once again read AND REREAD the section above that is in black AND in BOLD before going off on me again...

I also challenge you to find ANY text in the Belkin manual above that REQUIRES adjustments to the BIOS..

It simply does not need them since the BELKIN KVM EMULATES (simulates) a keyboard even when the PC is not selected. The Belkin KVM does not require the user to “wait” for Windows to “discover” the keyboard each and every time you switch (Windows discovery can often take up to a minute or two).. Additionally the PCs never lose the keyboard which causes the OS to give audio tone each time the KVM is switched which the user would have to disable the USB alert or learn to ignore it.

As far as the OP “changing” the BIOS settings which their KVM requires, no harm will happen to the PC but it simply is not a good solution and definitely NOT “fool proof”, plug and play, nor desirable..

YES, the Belkin I listed DOES cost more than a cheap KVM but it is not like as YOU say “your comments are like saying he needs a semi truck to pull a pop up, when all he need is a ford ranger.”

A GOOD QUALITY KVM is not like using a semi to pull a popup..

No, a GOOD QUALITY KVM IS A NECESSITY to have, especially if you value your sanity.

I have personally messed around with cheapo KVMs and they always end up being a hassle, there is NO SUBSTITUTE for a KVM which simulates the keyboard on ALL ports. Switching is seamless (2 seconds or less or about the time it takes you to remove your finger from the KVM button), no waiting for Windows to discover and install the USB keyboard and mouse each time you switch.. PRICELESS.

I will once again state that the OP NEEDS to send the cheap KVM back and get a better quality KVM and avoid the hassles. In the long run the OP WILL be happier by having INSTANT switching and no waiting for the OS to find it’s mind.

What the OP wants is a KVM which EMULATES a keyboard and mouse on ALL ports, the one the OP has DOES NOT.

Gdetrailer wrote:

LittleBill wrote:
none of those settings will cause problems, but if you the os is not set to pnp, you will see a ton of driver installs on the next boot.

this is not reason enough to send back the kvm.

also this is a non issue all together this is designed in case the computer reboots and its not the active display on the kvm.

as long as you keep the kvm on the system your booting and wait till you get into windows to switch over. none of those settings need to be made

:h

The POINT of a "KVM" is to share one Keyboard, One mouse AND ONE monitor with two or more PCs.

Cheap KVMs tend to cause interesting havoc which often requires one to power down all PCs and remove power from the KVM in order for it to find it's mind again..

Does not make any sense at all having to set the KVM to the PC, then boot it then switch to the next PC and then boot it all to get it to play well.

If you have ever dealt with IT server room environments where you can have hundreds or more servers to tend to you wouldn't put up with that kind of nonsense for long.

Hence the REASON I would personally send a KVM packing that requires any such special attention like BIOS mods or babysitting the KVM during PC boot ups.

Good quality KVMs act transparent to each PC hooked to it and will fully emulate a keyboard and mouse presence even when the PCs are not selected... That is important to do if you don't want to have to do special things to the PC or wait a period of time every time you switch PCs.

Again trailer, i asked for you not to comment on my posts. like usual your opinion is wrong.

i am more then aware of how KVM's work. i use 1600 dollar Remote ip based KVM's at work.

WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE OP?

he has 2 computers. how hard is it to just send the kvm to the active screen on boot up( generally the one he will be using anyway at the moment). then once its booted into windows. he can do whatever his heart fancy's


your comments are like saying he needs a semi truck to pull a pop up, when all he need is a ford ranger. significant difference between 2 computers and hundreds:R:R:R

If any BIOS changes are required then the KVM is junk. You should not need to touch your BIOS. If it doesn't work then I'd return and get a different brand or model. I have alot of experience (good & bad) with KVM and USB technology given I'm a USB silicon engineer ;).

LittleBill wrote:
none of those settings will cause problems, but if you the os is not set to pnp, you will see a ton of driver installs on the next boot.

this is not reason enough to send back the kvm.

also this is a non issue all together this is designed in case the computer reboots and its not the active display on the kvm.

as long as you keep the kvm on the system your booting and wait till you get into windows to switch over. none of those settings need to be made

:h

The POINT of a "KVM" is to share one Keyboard, One mouse AND ONE monitor with two or more PCs.

Cheap KVMs tend to cause interesting havoc which often requires one to power down all PCs and remove power from the KVM in order for it to find it's mind again..

Does not make any sense at all having to set the KVM to the PC, then boot it then switch to the next PC and then boot it all to get it to play well.

If you have ever dealt with IT server room environments where you can have hundreds or more servers to tend to you wouldn't put up with that kind of nonsense for long.

Hence the REASON I would personally send a KVM packing that requires any such special attention like BIOS mods or babysitting the KVM during PC boot ups.

Good quality KVMs act transparent to each PC hooked to it and will fully emulate a keyboard and mouse presence even when the PCs are not selected... That is important to do if you don't want to have to do special things to the PC or wait a period of time every time you switch PCs.

none of those settings will cause problems, but if your os is not set to pnp, you will see a ton of driver installs on the next boot.

this is not reason enough to send back the kvm.

also this is a non issue all together this is designed in case the computer reboots and its not the active display on the kvm.

as long as you keep the kvm on the system your booting and wait till you get into windows to switch over. none of those settings need to be made

Campfire Time wrote:
Some cheap KVM switches do not send a signal to the MB of computers they don't have a "focus" on. So if you have the KVM focused on your laptop and Windows Updates forces a reboot on your desktop machine, it won't boot because its looking for the keyboard.

Correct.

However the OP needs to keep in mind that with many PCs the BIOS may or may not have all or even one of those choices listed.. So, your switch may or may not correctly function on your PC 100% of the time.

I would personally send that KVM back and find another one that does not require such changes (they do exist). The better KVMs simulate a keyboard and mouse for such booting purposes even when the switch is not set to that PC.

My company has gone through a few KVMs over the years, so far the only ones that seem to consistently work have been BlackBox and Belkin brands (they are not cheap $20 units).

Some cheap KVM switches do not send a signal to the MB of computers they don't have a "focus" on. So if you have the KVM focused on your laptop and Windows Updates forces a reboot on your desktop machine, it won't boot because its looking for the keyboard.

I've never had to make any changes to BIOS settings when using a KVM switch. Have you tried it yet without making the BIOS changes? Won't hurt.