Hardware Review: Iogear MiniView Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch - GCS632U

So I've recently replaced all the university-era computer furniture in my home office (and lab) with some snazzy new stuff from Ikea. Not only does it look good, but it gives me 15 linear feet of desk space to spread out.

I keep around 8 computers on my desk(s) for testing, using different operating systems, my servers, and so forth, and having all the monitors for them was really getting to be a drag. So, for my primary PC and Mac, both of which are USB, I've been looking for a USB KVM (that is, a switchbox that shares one keyboard, mouse, and monitor with two or more computers). The key requirement here is that it can't fuzz or blur my monitor, since I run very high resolutions on a 20" flat-CRT-type monitor.

My first attempt at a good KVM is the Iogear MiniView Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch - GCS632U, and while it does perform as promised, the video ghosting and burring is horrible above 1024x768. I have a similarly priced PS/2 model (GCS14) from Iogear for my testing machines, and the video images are much clearer. I'm assuming that the electronics for the two are similar, so I'm pretty sure the difference is because of the video cables.

The GC632U uses permanently embedded video cables, as opposed to separate cables, and they are very thin and the lack ferrite chokes (those little metal rings on either end of the cable that suppress electronic noise). The PS/2 model uses somewhat thicker cables that must have more shielding, and the image is much better.

This really is a shame, because otherwise it works great. It maintains the illusion that a mouse and keyboard are connected to the computers at all times, so there's no "disconnect/reconnect" waiting with the peripherals when you switch between computers. It is also compact, looks nice, and is under $80.

I'm currently testing some other USB KVMs for my personal use - stay tuned for the results.

I've had many problems with this product (GCS632U). The problems seem to occur after running windows media. I've contacted tech support and got a reply that says essentially they don't have that problem. Really? Come look at my system then.

In order to get it installed I first plugged the mouse (Logitech USB) and Keyboard (Microsoft USB) into each computer directly. I had the specific drivers on each computer before plugging them in. After they were recognized and installed, I plugged the GCS632U in as instructed. Everything works fine until you hit a website that plays video (like ESPN with the small window that automatically plays.) From that point on it's messed up.

What happens is the computer that played the video shuts down the mouse. The keyboard will still work fine. When you jump over to the other computer, the mouse works fine but the keyboard is messed up. That's even when the second computer never having actually played Windows Media player. The systems have to be shut down to fix it.

When I plug the mouse and keyboard directly into the computer and run Windows Media player, it works perfectly fine. Then re-running with the GCS632U, it fails everytime.

But, "they don't have this problem." I guess it's all in my head. Not much help at tech support over at IOGear, but I'm sure they are just trying to not feed my paranoia.

I have a microsoft wireless keyboard/mouse and connect it to the keyboard usb port. Everything works fine except the scroll wheel on the mouse. If I switch the usb port to the mouse port, the scroll wheel works, but I can't switch between computers. Any suggestions?

When I connect a wireless keyboard/mouse combo to the KVM, I can access the menus, change settings, and switch to a server. However, when I switch to any computer (Windows or Mac), the computer will not recognize the keyboard or mouse. The only key that is recognized is scroll-lock, which functions correctly to bring me back to the menu.

I have swapped the keyboard and mice ports, but that doesn't seem to help.

I have also tried several wired keyboards and mice, but they all have the same problem. I contacted support and was told to try a different keyboard and mouse. I am on my seventh... am I missing something?

Has anyone solved this problem? I would love some help.

I tried to use this switch with my intel-based mac and the keyboard would not work at all but the mouse functioned normally. Then I switched the two on the device and the keyboard worked fine but moving the mouse started to type random characters...called their tech support and he suggested trying another keyboard (that I didn't have). So I took it back and got another one... This also didn't work. So, I'm giving up. I would not recommend this for anyone with a Mac and maybe not even a PC

I'm tearing my hair out - one monitor (viewsonic) for the pc desktop works fine with keyboard, mouse, etc. - the other monitor (HP Pavilion laptop) worked fine in the beginning but now give me "no signal - analog" message ! argh......does anyone know how to get around this?

I haven't even started thinking about how to get my macs connected...jeez

kris

I have two computers i'm trying to use the KVM switch for, the one (a dell) works great with it, the other however (a toshiba laptop) wont recognize my keyboard thru the KVM switch. Does anyone have ideas?

KVM extender allows you to extend PS2 keyboard, PS2 mouse and VGA video remotely up to 1000 feet away from a computer. KVM extenders are ideal for applications like public broadcasting, banks, classrooms, tradeshows, and other mission critical locations.

I tried everything to fix my iogear switch and it just would not work then I tapped on a key that says F lock (next to ScrLK) and that fixed it must have hit this key by mistake but working now.!

It appears the problem is due to the ignorant engineers over at IOgear. They seem to be *oblivious* to the fact that many keyboard/mouse desktop systems have ONE USB connection. The IOgear switchbox is NOT true-USB compable. It ignorantly ignores the second device on the USB connection.

It is also morally and ethically repugnant that they claim it is compatible with these systems, when they have actively ( and probably intentionally ) designed the system NOT to work with the better keyboard/mouse combo's.

I understand your frustration as I ran into the same situation. I bought an iogear miniview kvm to switch my logitech wireless keyboard/mouse between two systems.

When I first connected everything, I couldn't get the hotkey switching (scroll-scroll) to work. But when I put the mouse/key cable in the other kvm port, the hotkey switching began working.

This was exactly my issue! I attempted connecting both a logitech and microsoft wirleless keyboard/mouse to the right hand port on my iogear gcs1764 but could not send either "scroll lock, scroll lock (can't on logitech as there was no scroll lock...nice)" or "ctrl, ctrl" until I swapped the receiver to the keyboard port.

USB should be USB so this really doesn't make sense, but then again the lame engineers at iogear built a USB 1.1 port on the back of this guy as well when USB 2.0 has been out for how many YEARS now? Almost returned it, but the only other KVM I found with the same functionality and USB 2.0 that I liked was the avocent which would have been another $100 with cables.

Anonymous,

You're a genius (really). I had the same problem where the scroll-scroll hotkey didn't work with my wireless kbd/mouse (Microsoft Wireless Photo Keyboard). Switching to the other kvm port fixed the problem. Don't know why I didn't think of that. Thanks!

Was using a microsoft natural ergonomic keyboard 4000.

After install microsoft keyboard driver on Windows XP, switching between computers with Scroll Lock - Scroll lock no longer worked.

When plugged the keyboard into other port on the KVM switch it to the other port on iogear KVM switch, it now works.

Thank you very much for the suggestion.

I had the same problem, the box nor the shop said nothing about using it with wireless but it turned out to be useless. However buried in the support section of their web site they do admit to it not working with wireless combos - thanks IOGear. Take a look at ConnectPro, their product gets some good reviews from customers on Amazon who claim to have successfully used it with wireless combos.

All,
Thanks for all tips and notes, but which got me quite worried / desperate after purchasing the IOGear KVM (GCS632 - the simplest 2x PS/2 VGA one, you can find for ~25$).

I have a wireless keyboard & mouse combo by Logitech (A PS/2 version, lacking scroll-lock button).

So I thought I'll through it a way (After reading all this thread), but - luckily - I didn't give up.
I originally planned on using it with either my PC (Win/Linux) and a laptop. But lately - I got a Mac mini, so thought it could be used for that too.

My PC has a PS/2 inteface (An old machine), both Laptop and MAC supports the USB connection only.

I used the KVM the following:
- One KVM port, directly connects to the PC, via the PS/2 interface and VGA monitor plug.
- Second KVM port, connects to Laptop/MAC via a USB to PS/2 adapter, while the video cable goes straight to the DVI input of the display (Sony 19" LCD).

Now the tricky part - switching between computers, is done by using the "Scan/Monitor" function supported by the KVM. Using "Shift-L" "Shift-R" (one after the other, in 0.5 sec max delay) turns on the "scan / monitor" mode, where the KVM automatically toggles between the two computers every 'N' seconds (configurable). Selecting the source at this time, is done by press on "Space" while viewing the appropriate screen.

Since I don't use the other VGA, I sometime have to switch Video sources manually at the display. But sometimes, the display would auto detect, and switch by itself.

So - don't give up, it can work, even without the scroll-lock key.

Y.A.

In my note above, the mentioned of KVM model was incorrectly listed.
The model I use is GCS62.
Y.A.

http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/sw4-usb.html

It switches between 4 computers and is also a 4-port USB hub.

Can be found for $130 on line. It comes with 2 6-ft cables.
I bought two longer cables to make use of all 4 ports; I think that cost an extra $40.

Luckily, I was able to buy USB to PS/2 adapters...
My wireless keyboard and mouse set (Microsoft Wireless Desktop Elite Keyboard and Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer 2.0) has one USB connection, but you can use a USB to PS/2 adapter (included with the kybd & mouse set) for the mouse and it comes with a PS/2 plug for the keyboard. But, when I plugged the USB from the receiver into the mouse port on the switch, I couldn't use any Hotkeys, and when I used the USB from the receiver from the receiver to the keyboard slot on the switch, I couldn't use the mouse!
So: I bought 2, single PS/2 to USB adapters, to see if that would work with my wired mouse and kybd (both have separate PS/2 slots), and could activate the Hotkey Mode, but I could only switch between computers using the ScrLk key on my wired kybd, nothing else. The adapter package warned that keyboards and mice using drivers that weren't installed might not work properly when using the adapters, but my wired kybd and mouse are plug & play, no driver needed. Confused? So am I. The bottom line is: I can't work with the switch on my wireless kybd & mouse set, and I can't work with it on my wired kybd & mouse. So, does anybody have a remedy for this? I am at my wit's end, ad I don't want to call the company, they will probably just send me a new switch, and I don't want to bring this switch back to Bestbuy. Thanks in advance for any help.

Hmm, that's weird, alright. Apparently, the KVM is expecting discrete inputs for both the mouse and the keyboard, and they are hard-wired into the "mouse" and "keyboard" usb ports on the KVM itself. If you happen to plug a mouse into the "keyboard" UDB port and vice versa, nothing works. At least not for me. Therefore, I would expect the one-port wireless keyboard/mouse combo not to work, which you seem to confirm.

I wish I had a resolution for you...

Same as other Mac user comment, indeed to get Hotkey Option,,, I tried both "Num lock" key + "-"key & "Clear" key + "-" key conbos both on MAc keyboard nd didn't Work at all.. ggrrrraaaa,, Nothing happend. So I can not switch my Machines at all.
I am using this KVM cable between Mac G4 & PC/Linux. When I use PC keyboard, it's Fine. I ve heard Ghost on screen often but no problem with this cable and Philips Flat Monitor for me. Well, basically I m MAC user, I ll ask refund in anycase :-p

I'm switching between a G4 and a PC/XP and got it to work by switching the USB plugs in the KVM hub as suggested above. The hotkey combo (Clear key and minus key) didn't work until I switched the plugs.

Note that my G4 has a keyboard into which you plug a USB mouse. This config didn't work. I had to plug the mouse directly into the KVM hub. And the MAC keyboard is working fine with the PC.

btw... to the above poster... thanks for the bit of genius about switching the USB plugs in the KVM hub... you really saved me.

Same problem here. I could not get the num lock/ clear + "-" key working either it just does not work on a mac with std apple usb keyboard. I got the switching to work with a mac ally iKey which has a scroll lock key BUT no video with any of my B&W G3's. I tested it on a USB PC and it all works. This is not a KVM for a Mac, how IOGear can say it works I don't know. Even the hot keys default to PC standard. I paid extra for this as it said it works with USB Macs using OS 8.6 and up. What a waste of money. I'll ask for a refund and see if I can get a Dr Bot switch.

that this device will not wake up the Apple Studio Display 17" CRT that shipped with many G3 B&Ws. I bought the Belkin USB Flip as a replacement and it works fine with that monitor.

ooops, I forgot,,, Sound via Audio cable connection is Very BAD. U can not use this KVM if you want to listen Classic music. Dunno why this bad sounds like 16Kb/s compression...

Does anyone know if this works without a display connected?

My monitor has two video ports, and to bypass the fuzziness issue, I was simply going to plug both computers directly to my monitor and switch video using it.

But I need to know if this KVM will work without a display connected.

Thanks.

just wondering if anyone tested this with a wireless keyboard/mouse combination? i don't care so much about the video switching as i will be using two monitors. one home monitor, one work monitor. just allows me to multi-task while i work from home. is the ctrl-key the only hot key to switch between the two? or can others be assigned?

I couldn't use IOGear GCS84B because their choice of using the CTRL key to switch video - this wreaked havok with my game playing so I sent it back.

I got the Belkin Omniview - man is this a good switch, switch is about the same price however cables are not included, I purchased the Belkin Omniview E Series cables, about 11.00 a set- All done I have about $150.00 invested.

OK about the switch - The looks are good modern and sleek, the cables are covered by a removable cover. The switch is flash upgradeable with included cable. The inputs on this switch are PS/2 (I have to have PS/2 because I am a system builder and USB is so flakey on some systems) but you can either use PS/2 or USB to connect to the PC's. The toggle keys are ScrLk two times then port number for direct access, or ScrLk two times then up or down arrow keys to advance to next port. it also scrolls for active ports. This works well and is never hit accidently.

This is the best SOHO KVM I have ever used hands down, both the keyboard and mouse features all work ( you need to re-install the software after the switch ) The cables are 4 times the thickness of the IOGear and monitor will sleep normally.

The switch includes sound and mic ports, but they will only work with stereo speakers, or speakers with only one jack - this is fine with me I don't even use sound :-)

Switch warranty is 5 years , cables are lifetime

Have you used this setup with one machine a PS2 and another machine a USB? (I have one machine that only has USB for Mouse & Keyboard)

jimv

Thanks for the mini-review. I'm usually pretty happy with Belkin products. I think I'll check this one out when I get a chance.

I've had this thing set up between my Mac Mini and my PC. I don't see the ghost problems that are mentionned here, but I do have an issue where the keyboard sort of 'locks up'.

What basically happens is that the keyboard no longer responds. I can unplug it from the KVM and plug it back in, with no difference. The mouse however still works (go figure). Only way to recover is to unplug the unit from the Mac and/or PC, effectively pulling it's plug which resets it. I then plug it back in and it works again.

There's really no rhyme or reason why it locks out the keyboard.

Also, although there is no NUMLOCK on the apple keyboard, I believe the CLEAR key, perfoms the same function, as far as the KVM is concerned.

I had the exact same problem, connecting my Mac Mini and my Mac G4. Iogear tech support eventually had me exchange the unit for another one. Same problem with the new unit.

I just bought this today to user between a mac Quciksilver G4 and a sony PC. The packaging says that is works with Mac and PC's however, it clearly has problems using the Mac keyboard with the PC. In the instructions it doesn't give a configuration for using a Mac keyboard with the PC, so I'm sure they know about this issue.

My roommate has a Saitek keyboard which I thought about buying, but that doesn't work at all with this switch... it just flashes!

I can change the hot key settings no problem, and the picture is clear using my LCD flatscreen. BUT I want to use my nicer Mac keyboard so I'll be returing this dissapointing switch tomorrow.

On a side note I am also using it with a Logitech wireless mouse, and that works fine.

The package clearly says that this switch works with Apple keyboards. I would read that and assume it works with a new one too. But no, it doesn't. In order to operate the switch, you need a scroll lock or a num lock key - Neither of which the new Apple keyboards have. No other button that I've tried works for this.

Too right this thing does not work with an apple keyboard. IO Gear say it is made for Mac but it is not. If you made it for a Mac you would assume Mac users would be using the Apple keyboard that cam with their Mac! This thing is just another PC only switch made in white to fool the Mac users.
Just a load of Junk. Their tech support don't even answer their e-mails.

clear works the same as num lock

i have no problem using this with a mac and a pc, using a mac keyb. use clear / num lock and minus...

Apple Keyboard and Mouse was not working until I read your response. Thank You for your advice. Even though you you did not help me directly, your response helped me realize that maybe by pressing the clear key once I could wake up the Keyboard and Mouse. Well it worked. By simply pressing the Clear/Num Lock key your keyboard and mouse should activate.

Thank You,
Paula Sass
Sass Garphix

I have an apple mac book intel, an e-machine, and a V7 flatscreen monitor (V7? who knows) and a mac keyboard (num lock is the same as clear on the 10 key pad). I have the iogear miniview micro usb plus kvm 2-port switch. GCS632U.

I was having problems - trying the numlock/clear/- key combination many times and it seemed hopeless. But I persisted. I realized that I should follow the instructions and put the mouse and keyboard in separate usb ports on the switch (they had been daisy chained). Then I made sure they should be in the correct port (there is an icon on the bottom of the switch for which one takes the keyboard and which one takes the mouse. Then (again, following the instructions more carefully) turned off both computers. Then turned them on again.

Finally I stopped timing the clear/numlock/- combination in my head and used the clock. It worked the first time. The caps lock key started blinking. I hit the "t" key, as the instructions said (they could have mentioned that it was case insensitive).

The toggle now operates via double tapping the control key.

I did have some resetting of the monitor settings to do once it switched to the mac. But it looks pretty good now.

robyn.warrenernst.08@dcphp.com

Warren,

Did you experience any connection issues with this product? I have been at it for hours, plugging and unplugging, looking through device drivers and connections. I can get one cable to work, the other one to switch but not activate. I can switch to the other computer, and see the VGA immage, but the keyboard and mouse do not activate. It always seems to be the second port I plug in. Any help would be appreciated. I tool the first one I bought back, and now the second is still giving me fits.

Same problems as some users noted. Tried on two PCs at home and another two at work - PORT 2 does not work. When PC1 or PC2 is booting I can get into BIOS (i.e. keyboard works on Port 1 and Port 2).
However, when PC2 finally starts up (as far as Win XP login screen) the mouse and key board do not work. I can switch between PC1 and PC2 OK.
I have all USB ports for mouse and keyboard.

Please help - I don´t have too many other KVM USB options.

Additional note:
I switched PC1 from Port 1 to Port 2 and same for PC2 - same result - PORT 2 is the culprit!! Does anyone have feedback from IO gear on this?

Please help - I don´t have too many other KVM USB options.

Sorry for the late reply. No, I had no connectivity problem with it, and as I recall, there weren't even any drivers to monkey around with. That said, I don't seem to recall that it EMULATED a keyboard for the computer that wasn't active, which means that the computer thinks the keyboard is missing for a while. For some computers or OSes, this is a problem, but it didn't happen to be a problem for me. -Warr

Whoops. warren here. I take it back, this unit DOES emulate a keyboard to the other computers. Perhaps its emulation isn't friendly to your hardware?

I was unable to get this product to work between a G4 and G5. The manual states that I should hit the Scroll Lock twice to change between computers but the Mac doesn't have this key. Then they suggested I change my HotKey by entering into HotKeys mode to select my own HotKey, but in order to get into this mode I would have to have a NumLock key which Mac removed from the newer keyboards. Argh! Back to Best Buy...where is that receipt?

After 100s of keyboard lockups, i finally called IOGEAR, they said to put a USB hub between the "out of spec Dell USB" and it will solve the problem. After two trips to frys (with gas at $4 a gallon), and no success, I give up.

This is a hunk of junk. I dont think I will ever buy another IOGEAR product in my life.

To use numlock just press F16.

I was unable to get this product to work between a G3 and MAC Mini using a 17" Display. IOGEAR replaced the unit within a few weeks. Replacement unit also failed to work. Now looking for another brand and attempting to get a refund on the MiniView Micro USB KVM Switch (GCS632U).

I have also had connectivity problems with this product. I had IOGEAR send me a new (refurbished) unit and it had the same problems that you describe. After fiddling with it, I finally got it to work (G4 Pmac and G4 Pmac) correctly. All was fine for about a month, then the keyboard stopped being recognized again.
What a pain in the @#$!
I am throwing this thing out.
I have heard that the Dr. Bott KVM switches are much better.
I am wondering whether should I invest in another KVM switch or just buy a cheap 15" LCD monitor. Because the cost of two KVM switches would equal the cost of the monitor. I could live with the extra keyboard and mouse on the desk.

Does anyone have experience with Dr. Bott KVM's?

I agree this switch is a sh*t. I'm going to run it over in my car numerous times!

Cool! I'll have to check this out.

Hardware Review: Iogear MiniView Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch - GCS632U

Mouse and keyboard problems

scroll wheel

Keyboard works for choosing but not for operating

Mac Compatable...please, give us a break

getting "analog" error message

Toshiba Laptop....

KVM Extender switch

did not work now does (FIXED)

IOGear ignorant engineers

actually, try putting the mouse/key cable in the other kvm port

Thanks!

RE: actually, try putting the mouse/key in the other kvm port

Switching Keyboard Port ALso worked for me, Fixes Scroll-Lock

IOGear KVM

IOGear KVM - succesfully used with PC & MAC & Wireless combo

Minor correction - IOGear model is GCS62

Try the SwitchMan USB from Raritan

Keyboard problems

WERID

Doesn't work with MAC at all

Re: Doesn't work with MAC at all

io gear on Powermac B&W G3

Tech support confirms

PS

Without display

wireless?

KVM Switches

PS2/USB

Thanks for the mini-review. I

This unit locks up

This unit locks up

Mac keyboard with PC does NOT work.

Doesn't work on an Apple keyboard

does not work with apple keyboard

clear works the same as num l

i have no problem using this

Keyboard and mouse won't work

Got it to work on the Mac

Having Problems with this product

IO Gear KVM gcs 632U - port2 not functional

IO Gear KVM gcs 632U - port2 not functional - more details

I had no connectivity problems...

Whoops. warren here. I take i

Hardware Review: Iogear MiniView Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch - GCS

Another BAD review. IOGEAR Miniview KVM USB!

NumLock

GCS632U

IOGEAR GCS632U

RE:IOGEAR GCS632U

This is a comment.

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