Trash80toHP_Mini
NIGHT STALKER
I've had the Mac KVM switch on the backburner for quite some time. Thanks to @Gorgonops help, we've ruled out the possibility of using a USB KVM switch as is. I've gone through a couple of USB KVM switches in recent years, so I've got a slew of cables for DOA KVM switches. I've been holding onto a manual PS/2 KVM switch for several years now as well, so it was time to tear some stuff up tonight! [}
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As I'd imagined all along, this Manual Rotary KVM switch (PS/2) has all fifteen lines for the HD-15 connections implemented. The cables shown are from an inexpensive TRENDNET USB KVM Switch. Any manual, rotary VGA A-B-C-D switch with all fifteen lines implemented will work for building a PaleoTech KVM switch. No need for one as complex as this this PS/2 version, but I could rewire the PS/2 peripheral connector wires to single DIN8 panel connectors for switching a serial port for the likes of a printer or other serial input device like my Wacom Tablet as well.
There are four, well shielded lines for hooking up an available S-Video connector as ADB on the end of the cables. That's Red-Black-Green-White with braided ground for shell and foil shielding connections as well.
I don't need another Mac KVM Switch as I've had a Rotary Four-Port switch from way back in the Nineties that suits my needs at this point. However I've seen members interested in obtaining an ADB Mac Switch fairly often over the years. So if anyone wants to run with this hack have at it. Otherwise I'll piddle around with it as time permits. There are also a lot more Macs to be hooked up on the AppleDisplay now, so I might go through with this just for fun.
The first thing I'll do is tear down my original KVM switch for comparison pics when I get a chance. Until then I wouldn't consider this a hot switching implementation. When using my Mac specific manual KVM switch 25 years ago I always kept an alias for ADB Reset on the desktop so I could tab to it from the KBD to activate a reset whenever a Mac lost track of the mouse.
Parts list:
USB KVM Switch with HD-15 on the switch end and VGA/USB on the computer end (sourced for the cables)
Rotary Switchbox tor VGA (HD-15) with all fifteen lines implemented (the boxes I got from cablesonline.com before they were ever online were such, probably still are)
S-Video connectors wire termination type (5)
VGA Cable for Display
] As I'd imagined all along, this Manual Rotary KVM switch (PS/2) has all fifteen lines for the HD-15 connections implemented. The cables shown are from an inexpensive TRENDNET USB KVM Switch. Any manual, rotary VGA A-B-C-D switch with all fifteen lines implemented will work for building a PaleoTech KVM switch. No need for one as complex as this this PS/2 version, but I could rewire the PS/2 peripheral connector wires to single DIN8 panel connectors for switching a serial port for the likes of a printer or other serial input device like my Wacom Tablet as well.
There are four, well shielded lines for hooking up an available S-Video connector as ADB on the end of the cables. That's Red-Black-Green-White with braided ground for shell and foil shielding connections as well.
I don't need another Mac KVM Switch as I've had a Rotary Four-Port switch from way back in the Nineties that suits my needs at this point. However I've seen members interested in obtaining an ADB Mac Switch fairly often over the years. So if anyone wants to run with this hack have at it. Otherwise I'll piddle around with it as time permits. There are also a lot more Macs to be hooked up on the AppleDisplay now, so I might go through with this just for fun.
The first thing I'll do is tear down my original KVM switch for comparison pics when I get a chance. Until then I wouldn't consider this a hot switching implementation. When using my Mac specific manual KVM switch 25 years ago I always kept an alias for ADB Reset on the desktop so I could tab to it from the KBD to activate a reset whenever a Mac lost track of the mouse.
Parts list:
USB KVM Switch with HD-15 on the switch end and VGA/USB on the computer end (sourced for the cables)
Rotary Switchbox tor VGA (HD-15) with all fifteen lines implemented (the boxes I got from cablesonline.com before they were ever online were such, probably still are)
S-Video connectors wire termination type (5)
VGA Cable for Display
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