KVM Switch Suggestions -- Are The Ebay Cheapies Okay?

[jack wallen]

Robert L Cochran wrote:
> 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.
>>     
> That's a rather convincing damage report. I was really tempted to get
> the el cheapo units. I'm looking at IOGear KVMs now.
>
> Bob
>
>   
i will say i have a cheap Belkin PS/2 KVM that has never caused me any 
problems. only thing with that is it is only a two port.