Three way VGA switch?

[Kinni]

Hi, Im looking to build a three way VGA switch so that I can use three input devices into one monitor. What I need to know is how to wire the switch so that it will cut out the other two inputs.

If any of this sounds wrong, let me know; I might have no idea what im talking about which correction would be great.

[timmeh87]

look up kvm switch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817107602


theres at least 5 different signals you need in a vga cable, it gets pretty complicated building one yourself (its kind of hard to find a 5pdt switch anywhere)

[madc0w]

Look around places with old computers, I got a Parralel switch that way, its just a 25 pin switch.

[Kinni]

I will look around a bit more before I decide to buy a piece of hardware for 40 or so dollars. While the ability to use one mouse for the second computer, I only need the third vga for my 360.

Thanks for your input.

[Sparkfist]

I will look around a bit more before I decide to buy a piece of hardware for 40 or so dollars. While the ability to use one mouse for the second computer, I only need the third vga for my 360.

Thanks for your input.

Check Microcenter.com, I've bought a KVM switch from them once. The price was something like $15, that was on sale. You should be able to find a good price from them.

[Kinni]

Ended up finding a really good deal on a 4 port KVM switch on ebay, got it for 20 bucks including shipping with the cables.

Problem I am having now, is my usb mouse even with the connector to change it to PS/2 is not working. It gets power, but just wont work. Any ideas?

[timmeh87]

well usb mice are hot-swappable. worst case you could just swap it around manually (easier if you have front usb ports)

for a computer to work with a ps/2 mouse, it has to be restarted with the mouse plugged in.

this is from the wikipedia article i liked earlier:

A limitation with physical switches is that any computer not currently selected by the KVM switch does not 'see' a keyboard or mouse connected to it. In normal operation this is not a problem but while the machine is booting up it will attempt to detect its keyboard and mouse and either fail to boot or boot with an unwanted (e.g. mouseless) configuration if they are not detected. Thus passive KVM switches are unsuitable for controlling machines which may reboot automatically e.g. after a power failure. Some electronic KVM devices provide peripheral emulation, sending signals to the computers that are not currently selected to simulate a keyboard, mouse and monitor being connected. These can be used to control such machines which may reboot in unattended operation.

[gannon]

I know with my kvm, I have to be switched to the machine I'm booting to make the keyboard/mouse get recognized sometimes. Most times it auto-detects a generic keyboard/mouse/monitor because my kvm is electronic and not physical.