Mouse + KVM = weird

[Timothy L. Miller]

Ok, not so much a major problem as a major annoyance. When I switch my KVM from my linux box to my xp box, then come back, my mouse moves like it took a MAJOR OD of steroids...we're talking this thing puts Michael Schumacher to shame with it's speed...kinda hard to control even!! I can get it back under control using xset mouse, but I was wondering if anyone else has this problem, and if there was a way to keep it from happening.
If it helps, my mouse is a ps2, using the ps2aux drivers...and I have xset mouse 3 5 in my .xinitrc, because the default speed is WAY toooooooo slow on an 1152x864 display, in my opinion. When I redo xset mouse, I have to use 2 5 though, 3 5 stays incredibly fast...

[mdwatts]

Sorry as I have no idea what could be causing that particular mouse behavior.

Have you tried searching Google for Linux to see if others have reported the same problem and hopefully a solution is posted.

"KVM mouse" (http://www.google.com/linux?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=KVM+mouse)

[aknaki]

I am no help either. My mouse moves OK with the KVM switch, but the wheel would not work in either Windows NT or Linux. I eventually got a mouse for each PC. Not the best solution...

[chris_i386]

It could be that XP switches your mouse into
Microsoft-compatible mode, because many mice can emulate the
Microsoft protocol. I had a different problem when
doing a warm reboot after using Win2k. Editing my
/etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file and changing "PS/2"
to "ImPS/2" fixed it, though.

[bwkaz]

When I had my mouse running through my KVM (it was a cheap KVM, so it just disconnected the signal wires; maybe that's why), whenever I'd switch back, it wouldn't work at all. Both boxes were Linux, the mouse was an MS Intellimouse Explorer 5-button (I used the USB->PS/2 converter on the mouse side of the KVM, then KVM cables to both computers' PS/2 ports).

So I went to USB-only mode, and I replug it manually when I need to (which isn't often -- the 2nd box is only a server).

Come to think of it, whenever the PS/2 cable came loose from the port on the one machine (while it still was PS/2), if I wasn't powered down when I plugged it back in, I didn't get a mouse back. I think it had something to do with the PS/2 protocol (which is serial in nature) being interrupted at inopportune times.

Anyway, does the same thing happen if you just unplug the mouse and plug it back in (i.e. don't switch boxes)? If so, then it's probably your KVM's internals.

[Timothy L. Miller]

No, if I just unplug it then replug it in, works just fine.

As for the changing PS/2 to lmPS/2, I'll have to try that see if it helps any. Will post back after I try it (probably once I get done checking boards).

[Timothy L. Miller]

bummer, already using IMPS/2...coulda sworn I wasn't...oh well, luckily it's not a major problem. I'm gonna have to say that whoevers idea that windows is putting it into MS compatible mode. Will look into defeating it/using it by default in order to get around that minor annoyance.

[chris_i386]

You could try using a windows driver from the mouse manufacturer instead of the MS one. This could make your mouse operate in its native mode.
...just a guess.