Question 1

On one side of the unit is a connection from the monitor,usb mouse and usb keyboard. How many usb connectors are on the other side of the unit?

Accepted Answer

There are two cables that go to the two different computers.  Each of the cables has (1) VGA connector and (1) USB connector.  The 1 USB connector handles the input from both the Keyboard and the mouse that get plugged directly into the console switch (the two ports that you can see in the picture).

Question 2

will this work with windows 7?

Accepted Answer

It does work with windows 7, Vista and also with Linux. 
I have windows 7 in one partition and Linux Debian 7.4 in other partition plus another computer with Vista/Ubuntu. It works with every combination.

Question 3

Is this product compatible with a Windows Server OS? I want to use it to switch between a desktop server (Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2) and my desktop pc (Win 7 Pro, Sp 1).

Accepted Answer

This KVM is platform independent and requires no software for the VGA/ USB switching. Everything is hardware-based.

Question 4

Does it automatically change to the other computer if the current computer gets turned off/unplugged?

Accepted Answer

It doesn't switch on its own, you still have to push the middle button to switch between systems.

Question 5

hello - i have a lenovo monitor with a vga and would luike to connect that to my toshiba laptop which has hdmi - will this device work for me - thank you?

Accepted Answer

I don't think this device will do what you want.
A KVM (short for Keyboard Video Mouse) switch allows a person to connect two PCs to one keyboard, one monitor, and one mouse. This allows me to switch between the two computers without disconnecting and reconnecting cables.
I work on computers and instead of having to disconnect my monitor, mouse and keyboard from my PC and reconnect to the problem PC, I simply plug in the second set from the KVM and push the button.
This device only works with a USB mouse, a USB keyboard, and a 15 pin VGA monitor cable.
Hope that helps.

Question 6

Will this item work without using the monitor connections? I need a KM switch only (no video). I want to use a single keyboard/mouse and switch control between a desktop and a laptop - keeping the monitors separate.

(Some of the software-based solutions will not work because the computers are on two different networks.)

Accepted Answer

Brant,

Newegg sent me an email with your question since I bought the device last June. I use it every day. I currently use the device with two Dell laptops, a Dell monitor and a Logictech MX5500 Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo. I use one business and one personal laptop in my home office with one monitor, one keyboard and one mouse.

To answer your question, I lifted the lids on my laptops to see their screens and disconnected monitor connectors from the laptops. I switched between computers a couple of times and my mouse locked up on me. I disconnected the monitor connector from my independent monitor. I turned my mouse off and on and then reconnected to the Logitech usb Bluetooth device plugged into the switch. Once the mouse rebooted, I switched between my two laptops 7 times testing the mouse and keyboard each time. I completed the 7 trials with no problems.

The Iogear switch appears to work reliably with no monitor connections made. I only have the two usb connections to each laptop plus the one Bluetooth device for my keyboard and mouse inserted into the iogear switch.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Question 7

what are the cable lengths?

Accepted Answer

Would this work if I plugged a USB hub in instead of a USB Mouse and Keyboard. I'm hoping to hook up a wireless mouse with a USB dongle, a wired USB keyboard, and a USB transcription pedal all to the device. Obviously not enough USB ports here but I could use a USB hub to accommodate if it would work.

Question 8

WILL IT WORK WITH WINDOWS XP?

Accepted Answer

Yes it will. Think about this device as a switch to enable USB connections (Keyboard, mouse) + VGA connection (monitor) to be shared between two computers.

I have connected my Win XP desktop and my Win 2008 server to the IOGEAR so that I could use the one set of mouse, monitor and keyboard for both systems (toggling from one to the other).

It has performed to perfection so far.

Question 9

I bought a new laptop that has no VGA port by which I can connect to my external flat screen monitor. Will this plug into a USB port and permit me to connect to my monitor. If that's not what this will do, what do I need? Thanks.

Accepted Answer

The purpose of the VGA port on this KVM is to connect to your monitor. Then using the built in VGA cables, you connect these two the two PC's you'd like to view each time the button is pressed. The USB ports work the same way. So no this will not do what you want, not because of its limitations but because your laptop has no VGA. If the laptop has HDMI or DVI, you could try an adapter. You can still use the USB switching without switching the monitor, which is how I use it.

Question 10

I have an all in one computer that does not have a powered usb port only non powered ones or other connection for a 2nd monitor .  Will this unit work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it will work if it is plugged into any standard USB 2.0 or 3.0 port. All USB ports supply a minimum of 500mA of power which is standard for all USB ports. You should not have a problem with this unit.

Questions & Answers