Mac/PC VGA/USB Switch Box for $30

[Dave N]

I use both a Mac and PC at work, and at times I am constantly crawling under my desk to switch the monitor and keyboard. I do have VirtualPC, but it's really too slow to run a lot of PC programs. My PC is running Win2000 Pro, and I was really excited to see the post about MS Remote Desktop for OS X. But as I understand it, RD will not work with Win200 Pro.

So, I started searching the internet for an alternative to scrounging under my desk, and found a compatible switch box that works great. It's a USB/VGA KVM 2-port switch from CompuCable (#USBMS2-AB). This box has one VGA and USB in, and two VGA and USB outs. I was a little skeptical as to whether the PC (Dell Dimension L700cx) would recognize my Mac keyboard/mouse or not, but so far it works great. I am using an Apple Pro USB keyboard and a MS optical wheel mouse (plugged into the keyboard). On the PC, the Apple key functions as the Windows key, and the control and option keys work as they should. The only confusing thing is the keyboard copy/paste shortcuts. I keep trying to do an Apple/c or Apple/v to copy or paste on the PC.

The best thing about this is that the switch box only costs $30. The 2 male/male VGA cables and 2 USB A-B cables you also need add to the cost, but if you have a cheap source (I paid $15 each for the VGA cables), this setup would be fairly inexpensive compared to some VGA/mouse switches that I've seen.

My only problem so far is that the Mac (OS X.1) mouse system setting reverts back to the default (slow) setting whenever the the switch is set to the PC side. If anyone could tell me a solution to this, I would be greatful.

Here's a link to the box as sold by Macwarehouse. I bought mine from CDW.

http://www2.warehouse.com/product.as...SD2552&cat=mac

Here's a link to the box on the CompuCable site:
http://www.compucable.com/usb/embed....ody.html#usb_1

[JetwingX]

when ever your bored try maing a Keymap that lets you use the "Apple" as controll and Control as the windows key