LINKSKEY LDV-DM702AUSK Dual Monitor (DVI+DVI) 7.1 Surround Sound KVM Switch w/ Cables

Pros: Setup can't be easier. Should be able to power by USB.

No problems working with Logitech unifying receiver, including mouse/keyboard special buttons and functions.

When it works, the picture quality is indistinguishable from normal.

Cons: I have serious issues with monitors flickering. The problem got worse since I purchased the unit. On PC2, right monitor now flickers all the time. On PC1, right monitor never flickers, left monitor flickers occasionally.

If Linkskey replaces it with RMA then I will be happy.

Pros: Good unit handles sound well.

Cons: Doesn't drive second monitor well but I haven't found a KVM that can. Get monitors with dual DVI hook ups and link the monitors to the computers directly.

Pros: Video works perfectly on two 24" DELL IPS monitors running at 1920x1200 over straight DVI from the video card.

Cons: As other owners have stated in their reviews this KVM is very finicky on USB. On my Windows machine running a BioStar MB the USB works right away and I can even use it to configure the BIOS settings. Perfect! When it attempts to boot into Windows 7 it hangs and the Green "PC" light begins flashing indicating that the PC is not hooked up. The work around for this is to remove the USB cable from the back of the KVM when it is booting. Once you get to the Windows 7 log in screen then you plug it back in and everything works good. Sometimes when switching to another port and then back again to this computer the USB hangs and doesn't work. This could be a Windows 7 USB driver/hotswap.

On my second computer I haven't installed the OS yet (which will be Linux) because I just got all the parts in and built it. So I still do not know how that will work out. But I will tell you that the KVM does not work with the newer MSI UEFI MB BIOS at all. To configure the BIOS and the raid card I had to plug in a spare wireless keyboard/mouse directly to the computers USB ports.

Other Thoughts: I'm not getting the warm and fuzzies about this KVM. Sadly there just isn't a lot of choices out there. At the price of this KVM these silly bugs should be resolved by LINKSKEY. I have heard from other forums that putting a USB hub between the KVM and the computer might fix the USB issues and I will try that out next. If that work around fails then I will ask NewEgg to exchange it for another brand.

Pros: I posted previous unsatisfactory review that I would like to update. This switch now deserves a 3.5 star rating.

WINDOWS 7 SLEEP MOUSE FIX:

Reason for the update? I finally got my mouse to work when switching back to my windows 7 machine after it had gone to sleep, which was the biggest issue for me.

WINDOWS 7 SLEEP MOUSE FIX:

Navigate to the power management panel, you can just search for "power management" or go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options.

Click "change plan settings" and then "change advanced power settings" (both are small blue text).

You will now have the power profile tree pulled up, click "USB Settings" -> "USB selective suspend settings" and change this to "Disabled".

Your mouse should now wake up properly when you switch back to a sleeping Win 7 machine.

Cons: Poor website, lack of documentation, no firmware updates posted for this model.

Still required specific boot order of machines to work properly.

Other Thoughts: After over a year of ownership I am finally happy and the switch is usable after figuring out how to get my mouse to wake up in Windows 7 after sleep. I have had no problem with my Linux machine.

Pros: Does everything is claims. Keyboard/mouse work as soon as you hit the switch, no re-detection required like other USB KVMs.

Cons: The price is high if you don't need a KVM with all these features

Other Thoughts: Audio produces hum from built up static, had to ground case to fix problem

Pros: Works well switching between 2 PC's audio, mouse and keyboard.

Cons: Out of the box the system worked great however after 1 day of use one of the DVI ports stopped working. So much for dual monitors!

Other Thoughts: I have not tried other dual monitor KVM solutions however I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Pros: It provides all the features that I wanted.

Cons: The basic switching just completely stops working every time I leave my computers and come back. The mouse and keyboard will fail for both systems.

When the switch is in above state it requires a *specific* boot order to work. I literally have to shut down both systems and unplug system #2 and then boot system #1 and once finished, switch over and boot system #2 for it to begin working again.

Why couldn't they just implement simple switching? What in the world are they trying to do with their software... $25 cheap KVM's without all the features work better than this as the basics.... very frustrating. Fails to save me time and there are no flash updated etc... available on their site.

Other Thoughts: Get a different brand or get a super basic switch that doesn't do audio. Heck for the money you can buy two decent sets of PC speakers and go the cheap but reliable switch route.

Pros: Very nice, does exactly what I wanted. Sits on desk and lets me switch my dual DVI monitor, USB Keyboard, USB mouse and speakers between 2 PCs. Has a special "device" USB port that can be tied to either PC.

Cons: Twice has failed to respond after both computers went into power save mode overnight. Was easy to revive by unplugging power (adapter and 2 USB cables). Worked flawlessly after rebooting.

Other Thoughts: when in use you have about 17 pounds of cables on your desk that have to squeeze though (in my case) a 2" hole designed for one or 2 USB cables. I would like a USB hub-sized box with just the switch on the desk surface, that runs to a second, larger box under the desk with all the cables.

It came with DVI-I dual link cables that would not fit in my DVI-D port. Go figure. Luckily I had spare DVI-D cables, so not a con in my case.

Pros: Dual DVI, audio jacks, 1/2 switch on the front.

Cons: One or both monitors suddenly stops working on one PC.
Control, Shift or Alt key gets stuck down after switching between computers.
Keyboard, mouse or both stop working after switch between computers.
You have to stay switched to the PC you are rebooting or it doesn't detect the LCDs correctly.
Unplugging the keyboard or mouse resets some of these problems but often you have to hit the RESET button on the back.
This isn't an isolated incident with the same PC, keyboard and mouse configuration.
We purchased 7 of these things over a 6 month period and they all have problems.
All are being replaced with IOGEAR KVMs. Yaaay!

Other Thoughts: These cost less but will cause you constant problems. Even the newest versions have old problems.

Pros: Dual monitor, sound, usb hub etc. makes it easier to run 2 computers with the same equipment when you don't have the room or money for 2 full setups.

When it works it works great, but....

Cons: Freezes at least once a day. By this I mean I cannot switch between computers without disconnecting the power and USB cables to both computers (it will power off the USB). The hotkey switch and the software switch will not work either
The keyboard will stop working randomly or will keep entering 1 key until you unplug it and plug it back in. This occurs more 3-4 times a day and seems to be typical of this device.

As other people have pointed out only simple mice and keyboards will work in the mouse/keyboard USB ports. If you have a gaming mouse or keyboard you have to use the console port.

The shared USB port has to be reset constantly as well, I have a Logitech USB mic hooked into it and have to unplug it and plug it back in almost every time I switch computers

Other Thoughts: For $300 I would expect better. I read the reviews and figured having to reset it every now and then wouldn't be an issue, but this multiple times a day is annoying.

On the other hand out of all the KVM switches I researched this one seems to work the best, which speaks to how poor the others are