KVM that works with Mini-Dock

[RiverFly]

Can any please suggest a KVM switch that can be used in offices with a ThinkPad and ThinkCentre combination?
We have some shared offices in which some of the people use a T42 laptop on a port replicator or mini-dock, while others use a S50 desktop machine. We wanted to be able to plug both machines in using a KVM so they could share the same keyboard, video, and mouse, but the KVM switches we purchased are not working (all firmware is current). After searching the web, we found several documented issues with KVM switches and the ThinkPad ports/docks.
Are there any KVMs that can be used for the IBM/Lenovo equipment?

[leegaard]

I have had problems with Linksys 2 port KVM and port replicator II.

Havent tried it on Dock II though

[Phantom Gremlin]

My 4-port KVM at home (I think IOGear) also doesn't work reliably with the port replicator and my T42. If I recall correctly, both keyboard and mouse work if I cold-boot while selecting the Thinkpad. But after I switch away and back the mouse totally stops working. The keyboard stops working but can be brought back to life by unplugging keyboard cable from back of replicator and plugging it back in.

The above behavior is with PS/2 style keyboard and mouse. I wonder if KVM boxes that do USB would work better?

[smstewart_9554]

I have a T43 and a port replicator. Although I've never used a KVM, I do know that when I attempted to use a PS/2 mouse plugged into the replicator, it would only work when I cold booted the system after putting it on the replicator (ie the mouse would not work if I attached the asleep T43 and then resumed from standby). When I switched to a USB mouse, all is well; I can attach my asleep T43, awake it or even attach it while it's on and the mouse always works. Because of this, I would speculate that a USB KVM switch would work much better than a PS/2 KVM however, I'm not sure if the monitor problem will be solved. Perhaps someone has tried this already.

[levimax]

I had trouble with my port replicator II and a KVM. In order to get it to work I used a "keyboard and mouse ps2 to USB converter" (converts the 2 ps2 inputs into one usb output) and plugged the usb into the port replicator and it has worked perfectly for me ever since. If you have a lot of usb devices you need to attach you can us a "hub" since the port replicator II only has one usb input.

The converters are much cheaper than some of the KVM's that are supposed to work with port replicators and are readily available.

[levimax]

I had trouble with my port replicator II and a KVM. In order to get it to work I used a "keyboard and mouse ps2 to USB converter" (converts the 2 ps2 inputs into one usb output) and plugged the usb into the port replicator and it has worked perfectly for me ever since. If you have a lot of usb devices you need to attach you can us a "hub" since the port replicator II only has one usb input.

The converters are much cheaper than some of the KVM's that are supposed to work with port replicators and are readily available.

[chan_man]

I have a Cybex Switchview 4 port KVM that works well with the thinkpad docks. Here is a link to the switch http://www.42u.com/switchview.htm
not a cheap switch by works well. I have the thinkpad on one channel, two intellistations and a free one for when I have to debug a system.

[edcard]

This issue has been discussed before and there are several solutions. Search for KVM.