Monday, December 20, 2010

IOGear GCS632U KVM Switch Hotkey Mode

I've really enjoyed the use of my IOGear MiniView Micro USB Plus 2-Port KVM Switch for a couple of years now. I'm not certain why IOGear felt the need to give the device such an elaborate name. We'll blame their marketing folks for that.

While I'm passing out blame, there's an important usability problem to pin on IOGear's technical writers. Let me explain.

The IOGear Model GCS632U KVM switch is a really great device for sharing a single keyboard, video device, and mouse between two computers. The switch is conveniently operating system independent; I use mine to share a keyboard and mouse between a Microsoft Windows 7 and a Ubuntu 11.04 machine. It operates on built-in code, so there is no special software required on the host computers. Best of all, there are a few user-configurable settings to customize the user experience. The features are accessible via a special key sequence that will place the user in "Hotkey Mode". You can read more about the settings in the IOGear device's User Guide [PDF].

One of the configurable features is to change the default port switching key from Scroll Lock, Scroll Lock to Ctrl, Ctrl; the change that I wanted to complete. The User Guide provides specific instructions to make this change by first placing the device in Hotkey Mode. To do this, the user must "(1) Press and hold Num Lock key for two seconds; (2) Press and hold Minus key [ – ] for one second; and (3) Release Minus key [ – ] and within one second also release Num Lock key."

With such precise timing specified in the manual, one might suspect that this was a really, really critical point. In fact, I spent way too much time trying to get the exact timing down just so I could simply change the default port switch key. Boy was I mistaken, and the technical writers sure made it much more difficult than it needed to be.

For those of you who have been trying unsuccessfully to enter Hotkey Mode on the IOGear KVM switch by following the manufacturer's instructions, here's the trick. You only need to press and hold the Num Lock key for about one second (e.g. "one thousand one"), then casually press the Minus key and immediately release both keys at the same time. You should see the keyboard's Caps Lock and Scroll Lock status lights blink alternately signifying that you are in Hotkey Mode. Then you can configure the KVM switch as desired.

I'm embarrassed to admit how long it took for me to get this key sequence down right. Hopefully by sharing the information here with you, I will have saved you some time and trouble.

11 comments:

  1. Dang. My hero. I had the same exact problem. Thanks for posting.

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  2. Another nice documentation feature - it specifies capital letters for hot key operations when it requires lower case. Also, anybody have trouble with the switching keys sticking after toggling between displays? Might be my keyboard, but makes Scroll Lock and Ctrl as the only two choices for switching keys undesirable. Be nice to select my own.

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  3. I have a CS82U aten KVM. Really bad! Same problem hotkey mode instructions are wrong. Also video disappear from monitor for 2 sec continuosly every 30 sec, but if i unplg mouse and keyb, it works (only as video switch)! also my IBM model M don't seem to work well, and became slow and unresponsive (and the USB mouse too) with that crappy sort of microcontrolled "switch". I think that a switch must be a switch only, so i'll build my own with maxim video switch IC, and send aten one to junk box.

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  4. ha. the manual is so specific, yet wrong. funny! thanks!

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  5. My troubles were fixed when I swapped the keyboard and mouse on the KVM ports...

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    Replies
    1. Same for me. Thanks for the tip!

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    2. Spent more than an hour with the numlock and minus key. This simple tip solved the problem. Thanks

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    3. Thank you very much. This was the ticket for me as well. Saved me so much time after wasting it on hotkey mode.

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  6. I was ready to return the IOGear KVM, the keyboard, and maybe, just maybe, computers in general - after a 35-year love affair. I had a perfectly working TrendNet KVM but alas, it was a PS2 type and the new motherboards seem to all have a shared PS2 mouse/ keyboard port.Would not work, even with adapters. Now everything seems fine and I'm using a Logitech lighted keyboad

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  7. Im trying to use the kvm between a tower pc & a dell inspiron one all in one computer.

    i can tell that its working in so much as the usb/audio & vga chords are hooked up, however no matter how any of the hot key functions i try, i cannot switch bwetween computers. advice?

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    Replies
    1. Chris - (1) Are you using a wired keyboard and mouse? Wireless (using a USB dongle) will not work with the IOGear switch. (2) Have you tried alternate USB ports on each computer? (3) Have you connected the keyboard and mouse directly to each computer before using the IOGear switch? Make certain that the keyboard and mouse will work with each device (i.e. that the required drivers have been installed, etc.).

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