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ATEN CS-1764 DVI-USB KVM Switch Issues I was googling for reports of problems with the ATEN CS-1764 KVM and came across your report. After months of trouble-free operation with this KVM, I replaced a couple of my computers and that's where the problems started... Previously, I had a Windows XP computer based on a Gigabyte GA-8PENXP motherboard, a Windows 2003 computer based on a Gigabyte GA-IEXP motherboard (both these Gigabyte motherboards are a couple of years old, socket 478 CPU models). I also had a Linux machine running on a Shuttle SN41G2v3 computer and finally an Apple Mac Mini. All had worked perfectly well with not a hint of a problem until recently... a particular relief since before buying the Aten KVM I spent a couple of months arguing with Belkin about their bug-ridden DVI KVM, eventually getting a refund after much persistence. However, a couple of weeks ago the Windows 2003 machine went to computer heaven thanks to the motherboard finally packing in. I'd been considering upgrading the hardware in the XP and 2003 machines anyway, and this just brought the decision forward a bit. So, I replaced both of them with computers based on the Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra SLI motherboard (socket 939 CPU models). At first, I found that trying to install Windows on them was very difficult because typing on the keyboard, the actual keystroke seemed to take a second or so to appear on the screen, or not appear at all, or appear repeated over and over as if the key was stuck down. Luckily, as I had two new motherboards that were the exact same model, I was also able to confirm this problem existed on both of them. Plugging the keyboard and mouse directly into the new computers rather than via the Aten KVM improved things immediately... no more problems as described with the keyboard. No more mouse refusing to move for a second or two then jumping huge leaps at a time. I was reasonably sure this proved that it MUST be a KVM problem if taking the KVM out of the equation made things work as normal. I've since had a chance to mess about with just about every possible setting in the BIOS of the new computers to see if I could fix it. This is what I've found out so far:
One thing I've found to check if the problem is happening (without the need to type at the keyboard or move the mouse) is to hit scroll lock twice. This normally would flash the LED's on the keyboard at very strict intervals (around once a second or so). It's a very consistent flashing. If the problem is in effect, the LED's do flash, but the timing of it is affected and not at all consistent. I've submitted a support request to both ATEN and Gigabyte tech support but haven't had a response yet. The firmware on the new computer motherboards is already at the newest version and, as far as I can tell, there's no firmware updates for the KVM on the ATEN website. UPDATE: I did wonder if this was a problem with the NForce chipset (although my Shuttle computer has an nForce2 chipset and doesn't show any problems), so I guess that if it's something to do with the chipset, it's probably specific to NForce4 and not previous versions. Since last emailing, I've tested putting a USB hub between the KVM and the nForce4 computers and this seemed to resolve the keyboard and mouse problems. Unfortunately, I need this hub elsewhere so I'm now awaiting delivery of a couple of small, cheap USB hubs to permanently sit between the KVM and nForce4 computers (they were cheap eBay sourced items so I'm happier to do this in the hope of a fix rather than possibly wait a long time until Aten come up with some answers and perhaps a new firmware). Another alternative I was considering was buying a PCI USB card for each of the affected computers and using that to connect to the KVM rather than use the onboard USB... my thinking was that this *should* fix it as it rules out any of the nForce4 USB controllers, but this would use up a PCI slot on machines that only have 2 normal PCI slots to start with. I can't say I've ever come across any video problems with this KVM (I went through 3 Belkin and 1 Emine DVI KVM's that had video problems before I bought the Aten). The Belkin also had keyboard and mouse issues (where they wouldn't be redeteced by the target machine after switch to it), but I remember the video problem with the Emine would manifest themselves with flickering pixels that were a certain colour (I can't remember exactly, but something like a certain shade of blue would appear on screen as a very fast flickering pixel... very annoying when you have a lot of that colour on the screen!). I'm getting the distinct impression that DVI KVMs aren't a very mature technology, and even more disappointed that manufacturers are rushing these to market before they've been properly tested. G. Scott - 9/5/05
I've used the Web Beetle for a short time. It works pretty well for what it's designed for, Internet Sharing among several computer, without the necessity of designating one computer as a HOST (which means leaving ON 24/7). In all frankness, it reminds me of a very simple computer, that has networking capabilities built in (IP address), with limited memory to store things like Name, IP address (it's own), ISP information for connecting to the Internet, and Port settings. Let me address Port Settings a bit. If you have Windows ME or are using Windows Media Player, you have to use the SOHOview software and load the configuration from the Web Beetle, then go to Port Settings. You can either edit one of the selected built in default Port settings or "add" a port. CAUTION! The Web Beetle has only so much on board memory, and you can't get away just adding numerous Ports and descriptions. You can edit the Port listings for RealPlayer if you don't use that service and just give it a new "face". For Windows Media, you need to set Port to 1755, <name>, Enable, TCP. You can play with the number of sessions or the advance tab that lets you determine the buffer size of the In or Out. Next for Windows Media Player ver. 7.0 is to add/edit another port, to: Port 1775, <name>, Enable, UDP, etc . If you use a software program called Ad Subtract, you need to add a port in there for it as well, else some sites simply won't come up as it is set as Proxy in the IE browser. Set Ad Subtract port to 4444, and TCP. ICQ uses Port 4000, UDP. Don't mess with Ports 80 and 110 too much as these are often ports used for ISP mail services. You can adjust the number of session and/or buffer, but if you use Outlook Express, it looks to these ports for incoming/outgoing mail from the server. I can ping internet sites from my Web Beetle, by the way. If you don't like the external modem making all that dialing and "handshaking" sound when it starts, you can add an extra string in the SOHO View software, under Modem Information tab, and for my ZOOM 56K external modem the string is: AT M0 (that's a zero, not the letter "O"). It may be different for your particular brand of modem, you just have to consult the manual of the modem that you have. Hope some of this information helps. The thing I'm trying to get ProTech to do is devise extra memory in the Web Beetle, and also editing profile for the Modem Information to allow a uses to go in and change the AT commands as they progress. That would all a lot of flexibility to the unit. More memory, and you don't have to worry about excessive Port address, and the ability to modify the dialing string of the modem, would let you 'tweak' the dialing preference to your desire. - V. Jenewein - 7/7/01
A Note from Parallel Technologies There are several issues I would like to discuss with you which are related to PC to PC Connection applications and the Direct Cable Connection (DCC) feature in Windows 95/98/2000/ME ... But first, I should probably give you a little background ... We (Parallel Technologies, Inc.) are the guys who created/developed the DirectParallel technology licensed to Microsoft for the Direct Cable Connection (DCC) feature in Windows 95/98/2000/ME ... As part of that arrangement, we make available occasional updates to the drivers and our DirectParallel Connection Monitor diagnostic/test utility ... And we are the exclusive suppliers of the High-Speed version of the DirectParallel Connection Cables (the Universal Fast Cable) ... 1. We have updated versions of the drivers for Direct Cable Connection on our Web Site that can be downloaded and installed ... These updated drivers fix some of the problems with PC systems that have been shipped in the past with buggy National ECP Chipsets ... 2. We offer a free very powerful and useful Direct Cable Connection (DCC) diagnostic/test/troubleshooting utility called DirectParallel Connection Monitor (DPM) that allows the user to diagnose and test their DCC connection ... It is a highly valuable tool - especially with its built-in DCC Wizard. ... We would also like to encourage its use for diagnosing DCC problems ... And would like you to have your customers download and use the DPM ... This should help your technical support people and reduce the time needed to help customers resolve DCC related problems.... If you would like to try it out you can download it using the following link ... ftp://ftp.lpt.com/parallel/DPM211b.exe 3. We offer additional technical support information on our new Web Site for Direct Cable Connection (DCC) ... This includes detailed technical information as well as Step-By-Step Installation Procedures for Windows 95/98/2000/ME ... http://www.lpt.com 4. And we have some additional PC to PC Connection Cables available like our NetLinQ USB Connection Cables which provide both simple and easy-to-use file transfer as well as full networking functionality ... - D. Schuman - 9/27/00
I just read on your website about WinProxy's new version. I have nothing but good things to say about the program. After fooling around w/Wingate & Sygate I tried WInProxy & it was the only program that worked right the first time. I was able to configure most of the programs my self, but when I couldn't I always found the solution on their tech support page. I guess there are 2 sides to every story so I thought I'd share mine. - K. Gallaugher -1/25/00
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