KVM Help Needed

**omalleytrading** · May 6th, 2003, 05:48 PM

The Good News: I just got a Dell 1900FP 19" LCD Monitor!

The Bad News: My PC doesn't have a DVI output, so I'm not getting the most out of the new monitor. I've just got it hooked up through the standard old VGA cable.

The Good News: I'm thinking of getting a ATI Radeon 7500 with DVI

The REALLY Bad News: I'm currently using a KVM switch to control two PC's.

So, now I'm in a dilema. Neither PC has DVI at the moment, and the KVM I've got can't handle DVI either. Short of buying two new video cards and a new KVM, can anyone think of a way I can make this all work?

In essence, I want one PC to use DVI, and the other to use VGA with a KVM in the middle.

(yes, I've always been this difficult...)

**crossedup** · May 6th, 2003, 06:42 PM

did a google search and they do make kvm switches that support both but not cheap at all. one was $399.

probably just as well get new toys and go with 2 cards and new switch

:t

**jak** · May 6th, 2003, 11:12 PM

put your old monitor on your other tower????

keep the keyboad and mouse on kvm and have two monitors unless you cant afford the desk space?

**omalleytrading** · May 7th, 2003, 09:10 AM

put your old monitor on your other tower????

keep the keyboad and mouse on kvm and have two monitors unless you cant afford the desk space?

Well, that was kind of the point of getting the LCD -- saving desk space.

probably just as well get new toys and go with 2 cards and new switch

That's what I'm worried about. Probably a $250 investment. Ugh.

**omalleytrading** · May 7th, 2003, 01:06 PM

I don't suppose there's an adapter that will take the VGA output of the 2nd PC, and convert it into DVI.

Anyone ever seen / used such a thing?

**SickPup404** · May 7th, 2003, 01:21 PM

Does the monitor support SVGA & DVI input? Could it be as simple as having it hooked to both all the time?

**PresterJohn** · May 7th, 2003, 01:21 PM

yes, you can purchase a dvi-to-vga adapter.

i'm surprised that no one here suggested this before to you...

**omalleytrading** · May 7th, 2003, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by SickPup404
Does the monitor support SVGA & DVI input? Could it be as simple as having it hooked to both all the time?

I doubt it. How would the monitor know which input to display?

yes, you can purchase a dvi-to-vga adapter.

Ahhh. Now we're getting somewhere. Have you used one, PresterJohn?

Has anyone else?

**PresterJohn** · May 7th, 2003, 10:43 PM

i prefer using a cable over an adapter, but either will work for you.

cable:
http://www.national-tech.com/specs/10v4-05301.htm

adapter:
http://www.svideotorca.com/dvi.html

**omalleytrading** · May 8th, 2003, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by PresterJohn
i prefer using a cable over an adapter, but either will work for you.

Thanks, PesterJohn.

Have you used either of these?

What I wonder is, do they work in both directions? The cable says "DVI-A to VGA Cable" So it converts a DVI signal to a VGA signal. Is the reverse true? Will it convert a VGA signal to a DVI signal? I'm not sure...

**omalleytrading** · May 10th, 2003, 08:09 PM

Anyone? Beuller....Beuller....

**surreal** · May 11th, 2003, 06:59 PM

Moved to a more appropriate forum.

**PresterJohn** · May 11th, 2003, 07:20 PM

>So it converts a DVI signal to a VGA signal. Is the reverse true? Will it convert a VGA signal to a DVI signal?

i would cautiously say.......yes, it should work. all my conversions so far have been from dvi-to-vga though...

**omalleytrading** · May 12th, 2003, 09:55 AM

Alright then. I guess if I can find a reasonably priced DVI KVM, I'll give it a try.

Thus far everything I've found has been $400+!

At that price, it's almost cheaper to replace the 2nd PC......