Thinkpads Forum

I searched and couldn’t find a definitive answer…

Are there any KVM switches out there that -really- work with a T61 and an Advanced Mini Dock? The Black Box ServSwitch that’s worked fine with a T41 and R51 is a no-go with the T61.

TIA
Steve

CFRacer wrote:I searched and couldn’t find a definitive answer…

Are there any KVM switches out there that -really- work with a T61 and an Advanced Mini Dock? The Black Box ServSwitch that’s worked fine with a T41 and R51 is a no-go with the T61.

TIA
Steve

I'm using a Rose Electronics (aka Black Box) eight-port rack-type KVM with my T61 on an advanced dock (next step up from the mini). The only problem I've found to date with such a setup is that, if you're using the PS/2 ports, the mouse portion will mysteriously stop working within a minute or so after Windows settles down from booting.

I've solved it for now by using a dual-head (KB and mouse input on one cable) PS/2-to-USB adapter cable into one of the dock's USB ports. That works without any problem at all.

I do recall that the original IBM PS/2's also had trouble with most KVM switches due to the way the keyboard chip handles itself during bootup. In fact, I've experienced that issue. The answer then was to use a KVM type that dedicates a CPU to each port.

Raritan is the only company I know that makes KVMs in that manner. You may want to hunt for a Raritan on That Auction Place.

Happy tweaking.

I'm using this one. I've hooked every model of Thinkpad and Apple imaginable and have not had an issue. I had a T61/P with an Advanced dock hooked to it.

I have this one: http://www.iogear.com/product/GCS1744-KM/

Works great with two advanced docks (T61 and T60p) and other systems.