quesion on cables

I have questions concerning 2 different types of cables: kvm switch and parallel to usb printer cable.

Currently I have a personal desktop and a company laptop, both with xp pro. A littler later this year I plan on purchasing a new personal computer with win 7.

I use a kvm switch to share my monitor, keyboard and mouse. The kvm switch has PS2 connections for the mouse and keyboard. It appears that at least most of the new computers don't have PS2 so I'll need to get a new kvm switch with USB. I have looked at some and read some of the reviews. From some of what I have read I am not sure they will work with win 7. How can I find one that will work win 7 and win xp?

I have a printer I would like to keep. It does not have USB, it connects to the parallel port of my personal computer. I have the same question about usb to parallel cables as I do about the kvm switch. How do I find one that will work for win 7 and win xp?

 

go with PS2 to USB adapters, and parallel to usb adapters. You won't need to replace your existing KVM switch. With the PS2 to USB adapters try and get single adapters because my KVM switch is hooked to my server with a Y adapter and when I switch between the screens, It shuts off the mouse, and it can't be saved until I reboot it could be a product of a really old switch, or the Y adapter. Either way it will cost you about $5 to find out.

 

Welcome to MajorGeeks.

From the first bolded part, KVM's are not software dependent, as far as I know well, at least for the 2-way ones. I've used my old Linksys from Linux to XP to W7, none of it matters.

Your printer though, may not make the W7 cut as there might not be drivers for it. Check the manufacturers site or let us know make/model of your printer and we can try to find something for you.

 

Thank you both for your replies.

I have tried an adapter before for a usb mouse I had. If I unplugged the kvm switch and plugged the mouse direclty into the computer it worked fine. When I plugged it into the adapter, it was not very reliable. It would work part of the time and then would quit working. Maybe it was just a bad adapter. (The computer I currently have has both ps2 and usb, but the kvm switch has just ps2 in and out)

The printer I want to keep when I get a new computer is an hp business inkjet 2280. It looks like there is a win7 driver for tie here:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...TypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=65316&lang=en&cc=us

 

I forgot to add the cable for your printer, seems like you're good to go for the printer.:major I don't know about your KVM, but the USB adapter on mine does not go in straight 'cause the video connector screw is in the way but it's been stable.

 

Ok thanks. I looked at the link, but I still can't find which ones will work for win7. I didn't see win 7 specified and the reviews were inconsistent.

Guess I'll just have to pick one and give it a try. Maybe I am overlooking something.

Thanks

 

Cables are not OS specific, they work for all of them.

 

OK, I'll just pick one then.
Thanks

 

plodr,

I don't know when I will be getting one. Right now I am just doing research on what I want in a new computer and what cables I will need.

I found pretty much the same thing go did. Reviews saying cables didn't work on VISTA, some that said the cable worked but didn't say which OS and I think some saying it did work on VISTA. I did not see win 7 mentioned much

On one cable - I finally found a review that said it didn't work on VISTA using the installation insctructions, but that they were finally figured out how to get it to work. They posted instructions for how. Also was a review by another person that said they used those instructions and got it to work on WIn 7.

If you want to look it is at:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F5U002...ref=cm_cr_pr_helpful?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0

If you put it in most usedful first order you can see the post by Kelley that gives the instructions. Then if you put it in most recent ofder you can find the post that says they used the instruction to get the cable to work on WIN 7.

I have no idea whether it will actually work or not.