Making Mouse Wheels Work w/ a KVM? 85
Elvii asks: "My mouse wheel doesn't want to work through my KVM. It doesn't work in X11 under Linux (Debian 3.0, kernel 2.4.20), but it works in Windows on same machine, through same KVM, so that tells me it's a protocol or driver issue , which is beyond me. I have no other OS's to test on, although I read online that FreeBSD can handle the mouse wheel in this type of setup. When I set the mouse type to IMPS/2, it just twitches in corner and randomly clicks. Anyone know if it's a kernel issue or an X11 issue? I've googled and found nothing of real use there - just that some KVMs work and some don't. Plain PS/2 works but I want my wheel too." The kicker is that when the mouse is plugged directly to the machine, the mouse wheel works just fine! Has anyone else experienced the problem? What did you do to fix it?
USB (Score:2, Informative)
There are a couple drawbacks:
What is this? (Score:4, Informative)
I've googled and found nothing of real use there.
I don't have a device like this myself, but from the results I got I'll say it looks quite useful.
I've got 3 Belkin KVM's with the same problem (Score:5, Informative)
There are two things to check, first turn off gpm. It's never done anything but give me grief in all the time I've ever seen turned on. I know that this will solve problems on several different KVM's I have. I know on one of the KVM's, it fixed all my problems so I could use the IMPS driver without doing the second fix.
Second, is that something is completely screwed about XFree86 of handling the PS2 mice, you can switch to a serial mouse, but no wheel then. The way to fix the problem, is to get XFree86 to resync/reset with the mouse. After switching from once machine to the next, immediately switch to a virtual console, then back to X, and the PS2 drivers will resync/reset/"do the magic to make it go". I've got no idea what the problem is, or why switching consoles works, but on the various Belkin Switches I've seen that is the fix that works best.
Kirby
Here's my take (Score:5, Informative)
Also, check for the ZAxisMapping option in your X11Config (you may have more than one, and the one in
Re:What is this? (Score:5, Informative)
Link 1: Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a remedy at the moment.
Link 2: I never found a way to make the wheel work without buying a different switch.
Link 3: Was about a Different switch
Next time you post links, don't assume they have meaning full information just because they mention a config file.
linksys tech support (Score:5, Informative)
Did you bother with the Linksys support site? Perhaps this [linksys.com] is the problem you are having.
The Linksys product description says, "Because they donâ(TM)t use software, the ProConnect Compact KVM Switches are compatible with all major desktop and note-book computers." One might read into that statement that the switch is not altering the electrical signals and that the switch is compatible with all mice. Sadly, that appears not to be the case and although a known limitation they don't mention it in the description. I'd send it back and buy from a company that makes KVM switches that work properly.
Similar issues (Score:4, Informative)
Re:What is this? (Score:4, Informative)
The point you're missing is that none of the links give an actual solution to the problem. The three best solutions so far (from my research) are:
And while the question is phrased as if it should be posted to comp.os.linux.* or somesuch, the underlying issue is valid. The Windows mouse driver is able to compensate for shortcomings in KVMs, while the various open source drivers are not, despite theories that this could be done in the X mouse drivers. There is no solution and no good workaround, so hopefully publicity will inspire someone to find the solution.
The Fix for Me (Score:3, Informative)
Re:USB (Score:3, Informative)
Re:I've got 3 Belkin KVM's with the same problem (Score:2, Informative)
Sure you can. My first wheel mouse was serial. I have 3 of them in a bin. Look here [google.com].
IO Gear (Score:4, Informative)
multi input monitors with USB port switch built in (Score:2, Informative)
only works for a two systems; but if that's all you need this is seriously convenient.
better hope windows doesn't whine about "you unplugged a device without asking me first" though. don't put anything other than your keyboard/mouse on its hub.
and kiss some chance of configuring your BIOS goodbye as many BIOSes won't support USB keyboards connected to a hub (this is a bios not being usb compliant problem). better off having a real keyboard on hand for bios config.
Re:Here's my take (Score:2, Informative)
Probably, you just got a bad KVM. My IOGear chugs along happily.