USB Mouse?

[Y-my-R]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I know you can use a USB keyboard with the d8b, and I got that working.

But what about a USB mouse?

I have a USB Mouse plugged into the 2nd USB port of the same expansion board the keyboard works in, but the mouse sure doesn't work.

The reason why I don't just want to use a PS/2 mouse, is that I am trying to implement an old KVM Switch, to switch the same keyboard&mouse (+Monitor, but that works) between my two d8b's and my recently acquired HDR. The KVM has USB and PS/2 inputs, but only a USB output to the computers (d8b/d8b/HDR).

It successfully switches any PS/2 or USB KEYBOARD I plug into the KVM between the d8b's and HDR. But the MOUSE is never recognized, no matter if I plug it into the KVM or for testing purposes, or directly into one of the Mackies, (also when cold booting after making connection changes).

I would conclude that the Mackie OS only has a PS/2 driver for mouse operation, and none for USB Mouse operation?

I saw in another post, that someone is using a KVM that has PS/2 Outputs along with USB outputs. I guess this will be the only solution... since a PS/2 mouse could then be switched between destinations.

...or did anyone get a USB Mouse to work on their d8b's?

[Gary Stone]

You need a USB to PS/2 adapter. Mouse won't work in the USB port hack.

[Y-my-R]

Thanks, Gary!
That's what I feared. Then I'll need to get a KVM switch that has PS/2 outputs for the mouse as well.
I looked around a little, and will probably try to get a used Belkin F1D066. That one could also directly handle the old AT keyboards without having to get an adapter (I guess I could probably use MIDI cables from the KVM to the d8b/HDR keyboard port).
I'll report back when/if I got this working with a KVM.

[Y-my-R]

Another update, in case anyone is following this saga.

As Gary pointed out, the d8b won't work with a USB mouse.

My desire to use USB for the mouse connection, came out of me trying to connect my d8b's and HDR to a KVM switch that only has USB outputs, but with USB not being an option for the mouse signal going into the d8b's, that won't work.

I found an old "Protec Bytelan Keyboard-Video-Switch”, that has these connections:

Monitor: VGA
Mouse: PS/2 and Serial (9-pin)
Keyboard: PS/2 and AT/Din-5

It “would” be cool, since switching between the 3 works fine, and I can use MIDI cables for the keyboard connections between the KVM and the d8b’s/HDR. That all works fine (USB mouse with a PS/2 adapter going into the KVM…then PS/2 cables going from the KVM to the d8b’s/HDR).

BUT, only the HDR is happy with video… it’s stable, looks good and never cuts out.
Both d8b’s however, have the video cutting out constantly. I see a black screen more often than what it should be showing.

Of course I tried swapping the d8b’s and HDR around on the KVM ports (initially suspected that some caps that don’t hold their charge inside the KVM), and I also tried swapping out the cable sets between them. The result is always the same… HDR looks great, d8b’s cut out - both of them, no matter which port, and if I use the cables that work fine with the HDR on the d8bs - I’ll still have cut-out issues.

I’m now thinking, that the video signal coming out of the d8b’s is “weaker”, and that the switch thinks there’s no signal and keeps cutting out.

On my old KVM, video switching worked fine with all 3, and with some of the same cables… but running two KVMs to switch video and keyboard/mouse separately seems ridiculous.

Anyway… just sharing in case anyone else was considering to find a KVM to use with d8b’s or HDR's. It may come with it’s own set of trouble.

This one only cost me $10 from Craigslist so it’s not that big a loss… but I “almost” ordered a similar one (Belkin F1D066, that looks to be identical) off of e-bay for $30 plus shipping, and would still have needed more cables (it didn’t come with any). I’d have been pretty annoyed, if I went through all this trouble and expense, just to learn that this is still not a solution.

Again… just sharing, in case someone else is thinking to get a KVM. The Protec Bytelan 4-Port won’t work.

Is anybody successfully using a KVM with their d8b’s or HDR’s? If so, which make/model?

[arjepsen]

I used a kvm with my d8b and HDR - however, it was ps2 connections, not usb.
It's a dlink dkvm-2k

[Y-my-R]

Thanks, arjepsen!

Good to know that the D-Link dkvm-2k worked! I'll look if I can find a 4-port version of that.

[arjepsen]

I actually think that exists - I belive I saw such a model, when I shopped around for mine.