Customer Reviews

Belkin F1DB104P OmniView E Series 4-Port KVM Switch (PS2 Only)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I reviewed the linksys kvm compared to this one (I own both) and found the universality and ergonomics of the belkin product better (also the belkin product was less expensive). No trackball attachement problems as there were using the linksys (the linksys product dropped clicks, and sometimes failed to recognise the trackball at all), and the belkin product is laid out better in terms of how the cables attach to the unit.

I have this device and a 2-port Linksys. Frequently with this one, I get a delay in or totally lose my mouse control when switching between computers. I'm using a MS optical mouse that is natively USB, with a USB-to-PS2 converter attached that could be a problem. Just a warning to those with similar configurations that they may get similar results. The Linksys KVM has no problems with my setup.

Very good product - kept going back and forth over Linksys and Belkin and opted for Belkin because in the past I had a problem they responded quickly. Great product - the cords are on the back instead of the side which is convenient and makes it less of an eye sore. Works Great. Can flip back and forth manually or conveniently via alt/numlock and then 1-4.

It says it doesn't support optical mouses - but mine works.. even the scroll feature. I use a MS/Blue Optical mouse.

I have been using this KVM switch every day for a month. I use it for constant switching between two PCs. So far, I have never been "locked out" of my PC after switching channels like I have been with other KVM switches. There are two ways to switch: the scan button on the top which moves left-to-right between ports (which will stop on all ports even if there is no signal), or you can press Scroll Lock twice on the keyboard followed by the up and down arrow. The second method provides fast switching between two PCs on adjacent ports and avoids empty port scans.

One neat feature is that if all ports have no signal, and you turn on a PC, the switch will select the active port. Other switches will always select port 1 at power up, but this auto-port-select saves time by selecting the active port.

One drawback I can think of is that the unit emits an audible "chirp" sound when you first turn it on, and when you switch ports. I haven't found a way to turn it off. Also, there is no way to switch more than 1 port at a time. For example, you can not switch from port 1 to port 3 without switching to port 2 first (or port 4 if you go the other direction via the keyboard).

This unit does not come with an AC power adapter. The unit is powered by the PS/2 connection to the PC. Thus, if you use this switch for monitors only (no keyboards or mice) then you will need to buy the AC adapter in addition to the switch.

I purchased this unit to replace one that my customer was using, only to find that I had to buy Belkin cables because standard KVM cable sets do NOT work with this switch. I am awaiting the cables and then I will rate the product function.

This KVM is very affordable and works great, most of the time. However, if you use a Logitech Mouse, do NOT buy this KVM. Your mouse will seriously mess up. This KVM is designed for use with Microsoft mice. I would frequently switch between Windows and Linux and this would confuse it greatly. Windows would forget what my keyboard repeat rates were and the mouse would move erratically for the first few seconds. Linux was even funnier and would frequently refuse to work until I restarted X-Windows using Ctrl-Alt-Backspace as trying to move the mouse at all would result in a plethora of random movements and mouse clicks. Of course, restarting X-Windows caused me to lose everything I had open. So if you have an Intellimouse, this should be fine, but if you use anything else, go with something else. Linksys, for instance, works great with Logitech.

The Belkin 4-port KVM works very well except for one little problem. The Microsoft mouse will not scroll with the wheel. I can change from one computer to the others just fine. Still working on the mouse though. I would still recommend this product.

I had lots of problems with this KVM losing connection to my keyboard and mouse when switching between computers. The only way I was able to fix this was by using a converter that took the KB and Mouse PS/2 connections from the kvm cable and turned them into a single USB connection. $50 for two of these to fix a problem that shouldn't have been there in the first place. Cheaper than a new KVM I suppose.

I also have a lot of trouble using the KVM keyboard shortcut in Windows 2000, causing me to have to reach across my desk to hit the button on the KVM to switch to another computer, rather annoying.

It works fine with my monitor though, even at 1600x1200@85Hz, which is how it gets two stars instead of one.

My recommendation is to avoid this product.

I have had this Switch for about 3 months now and I am very pleased.

I had the two switch version, but lost a monitor and instead of buying another monitor, I bought this.

I have not had any problems switching between my four computers. One computer has Vista, one XP, and two have 2003 Server.

Only two pair of my cables are belkin cables. The other cables are a different brand and the cables work just fine.

We have this at my work. Only really issue I have is the mouse. Bypassing the KVM switch any mouse works fine. When using the switch, however, the mouse only works on the first device connected. That is, whichever system I hook up to the KVM switch's outputs first gets to use the mouse any time. If I hook up others and select them I have no mouse. Switch back to the original device and it still works fine. If I want to use the mouse on another device I have to unplug everything, then plug in the device I want to use it with. No problems with keyboards or monitors.