INSTALLATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS
Installation
How do I set up my DVI KVM switch?
1. Turn off all of the computers and monitors that will be connected to the KVM switch. 2. Connect the power adapter to the KVM switch. 3. Connect the DVI cable from your monitor to the console DVI port on the KVM switch. 4. If it is not already turned on, turn on the monitor. 5. Connect your keyboard and mouse to the console PS/2 or USB ports on the KVM switch. 6. If you have not done so already, change the KVM switch to focus on port 1. 7. Connect the DVI cable from PC1 to the KVM switch. 8. Connect the PS/2 or USB cables from PC1 to the PC1 PS/2 or USB ports on the KVM switch. 9. Turn on PC1. You should see the computer load the operating system that you are using on PC1. 10. Make sure that the mouse and keyboard can control PC1. 11. Repeat steps 4 to 8 for each additional computer that you want to connect to the KVM switch. Leave the computer in focus until you make sure that the mouse and keyboard can control the computer in step 8.
How can I identify which DVI video connection I have or need?
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a video display interface that can contain different types of signaling, based on the application. DVI cables and ports are created using different connector types to identify what application they are intended to be used in. The connector types are identified by the number of pins on the DVI connector. DVI comes in the following five different connector types:
DVI-A (17 pin).
DVI-D Single Link (19 pin).
DVI-D Dual Link (25 pin).
DVI-I Single Link (23 pin).
DVI-I Dual Link (29 pin).
Single and Dual link DVI indicate the maximum resolution capabilities of the video source or video destination. The maximum resolutions are Single Link (1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz) and Dual Link (2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz).
Note: The maximum resolution of your video source and video destination are ultimately determined by the technical specifications of the devices. The connector type is not a definitive indicator of the maximum resolution.
DVI-A carries only analog (for example, VGA) with no digital component. DVI-D carries only digital video (for example, HDMI) with no analog component. DVI-I combines DVI-A and DVI-D connections to include both analog and digital components. A DVI-I port may be on either your video source or display, but whether or not a display carries either or both analog and digital sources depends on the technical specifications of your device.
Will my wireless / gaming / combo (one receiver for mouse and keyboard) keyboard and mouse work with this KVM switch?
Whether or not a wireless, gaming, or combo mouse and keyboard work with our KVM switches depends on several factors. We recommend that you use a standard wired mouse and keyboard with our KVM switches, especially when you troubleshoot issues.
Wireless Mice and Keyboards Our KVM switches do work with a significant number of wireless mice and keyboards, but in general, most wireless mice and keyboards do not support working with KVM switches. We do not provide support information for wireless mice and keyboards because so many of them do not support working with KVM switches. If a wired mouse and keyboard work with your KVM switch but a wireless mouse and keyboard do not, this means that your wireless mouse / keyboard does not support working with KVM switches.
Gaming Mice and Keyboards. Gaming mice and keyboards have extra buttons and additional functionality. Gaming mice and keyboards should work with our KVM switches, but you may not be able to access all of the functions.
Combo Mice and Keyboards Combination mice and keyboards have one USB receiver that is used for both the mouse and keyboard. If there is a + symbol next to the keyboard USB port on the KVM switch, then the switch supports combo mice and keyboards. You can look at pictures of our KVM switches at www.StarTech.com to see if a KVM switch has a + symbol. If you cannot get a wireless, gaming, or combo mouse and keyboard to work, we recommend that you insert the mouse or keyboard into the USB hub ports on the KVM switch, provided the KVM switch has USB hub ports (the ports are marked on the back of the KVM switch). If the KVM switch has hotkey functionality, you will lose the functionality when you switch the keyboard out of the dedicated keyboard port.
Troubleshooting
Everything is hooked up but nothing is working. What should I do?
There are some quick tests that you can perform to rule out potential issues. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:
Video cables
KVM switch
Video source (such as a DVR or computer)
Video destination (such as a monitor or projector)
Note: When you are testing your setup components, it is recommended that you avoid using any video adapters. For example, if you are converting a VGA source to HDMI to be used with an HDMI extender, you should test with an HDMI source.
To test your setup components, try the following: Use the video cable, KVM switch, video source, and video destination in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.
Use a different video cable, KVM switch, video source, and video destination in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.
When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:
Test each cable individually.
Use short cables when you are testing.
When you test the video source and video destination, it is recommended that you do the following:
Remove the KVM switch from your setup and test to make sure that the video source and video destination work together without the KVM switch.
Test to make sure that the video source and video destination work together at the resolution that you want to use.
Note: In order for your setup to work properly, the video source, KVM switch, and video destination all need to support the resolution that you are using.
Troubleshooting
Certain KVM ports or computers are working but not all of them. What do I do?
There are four troubleshooting actions that you can try if some but not all of the ports and your computer are working with the KVM switch.
To determine if a specific cable is the source of the problem, switch the cables that connect the KVM switch to the computers to one working port and computer, and one port and computer that is not working. Keep the computer plugged into the same ports and only switch the cables. If the issue persists when you switch cables, the issue may be with the cable itself.
To determine if the problem is between the computer and the KVM switch, using the same cables, connect the KVM switch to one computer that is working and one computer that is not working. If the issue persists when you switch computers, follows the issue may be with the computer and the KVM switch.
Try reinitializing the KVM. This is done by following the setup instructions on the website.
To determine if the KVM switch is the source of the problem, if you have another KVM switch, disconnect the current KVM switch and connect the second KVM switch.