KVM Switch Suggestions -- Are The Ebay Cheapies Okay?

[Les]

On Thu, 2009-01-15 at 21:53 -0500, jack wallen wrote:
> Robert L Cochran wrote:
> > Are the no-name-brand, two-port, USB 2.0 PS2 KVM switch boxes with two
> > cables which sell for $14.99 and free shipping on EBay any good? Here is
> > an example: item 140294824343 from seller insidecomputer. Recent
> > discussions (from 2007) suggest IOGear and Trendnet switches as good
> > brands. If I can get a cheap switch that works, though, I'm willing to
> > do it.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Bob Cochran
> > Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
> >
> >   
> avoid them. i bought one on ebay - a cheap USB one. it did two things:
> prevented Fedora from being able to read the modes from the monitor so I 
> couldn't get proper resolution and, even worse, killed every usb port on 
> my system. i now have to get a PCI usb card in order to use any USB device.
> 
> so, yeah, i wouldn't bother.
> 
If all the USB ports are dead, then the power supply for those ports (5v
@1A/port) has probably blown a fuse or component.  You may be able to
get it fixed.

Regards,
Les H