David C.
07-16-2003, 01:31 AM
"Jamie" <NoAddress[at]SpamFree.com> writes:
>
> I want to add a MAC to my KVM box (keyboard,video,mouse) which is PC
> based...
>
> Can you use a MAC box with a PC screen, mouse, keyboard??
First off, somebody here will probably flame you for writing "MAC"
instead of "Mac". Don't be surprised. Don't let it get you upset.
"Mac" is an abbreviation, not an acronym.
As for your actual question, the answer is yes.
For the monitor, modern Macs use one or two of three possible video
connectors. A VGA-style HD-15, Apple Display Connector (ADC) or DVI.
If your Mac has an HD-15, no problem. If you have ADC or DVI, you
can use an adaptor cable (Macs come with the adaptor, so you should
have one.)
If you have an older Mac with a DB-15 video connector, you can get an
adaptor. They're not terribly expensive.
For the keyboard and mouse, modern Macs use USB. If your KVM
supports USB keyboards and mice, no problem. If it only supports
PS/2-style keyboard/mouse connections, you'll need an adaptor of some
kind. They exist. I don't know what they cost.
Older Macs use the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) for keyboard and mouse
connections. Once upon a time, there were KVM switches that could
convert ADB to PS/2 connections, but I don't think they've been made
in a while. If you have such a Mac, you'll probably need an adaptor
of some kind. I know there are ADB-USB converters. I don't know
about ADB-PS/2. I also don't know if you can successfully attach a
USB-PS/2 connector to a USB-ADB connector.
You may prefer to do what I do - switch the video but use separate
keyboards and mice. I do this because the three computers that share
my monitor (a PC, a Mac Quadra and a Mac G4) use three different
interfaces (PS/2, ADB and USB, respectively).
-- David
>
> I want to add a MAC to my KVM box (keyboard,video,mouse) which is PC
> based...
>
> Can you use a MAC box with a PC screen, mouse, keyboard??
First off, somebody here will probably flame you for writing "MAC"
instead of "Mac". Don't be surprised. Don't let it get you upset.
"Mac" is an abbreviation, not an acronym.
As for your actual question, the answer is yes.
For the monitor, modern Macs use one or two of three possible video
connectors. A VGA-style HD-15, Apple Display Connector (ADC) or DVI.
If your Mac has an HD-15, no problem. If you have ADC or DVI, you
can use an adaptor cable (Macs come with the adaptor, so you should
have one.)
If you have an older Mac with a DB-15 video connector, you can get an
adaptor. They're not terribly expensive.
For the keyboard and mouse, modern Macs use USB. If your KVM
supports USB keyboards and mice, no problem. If it only supports
PS/2-style keyboard/mouse connections, you'll need an adaptor of some
kind. They exist. I don't know what they cost.
Older Macs use the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) for keyboard and mouse
connections. Once upon a time, there were KVM switches that could
convert ADB to PS/2 connections, but I don't think they've been made
in a while. If you have such a Mac, you'll probably need an adaptor
of some kind. I know there are ADB-USB converters. I don't know
about ADB-PS/2. I also don't know if you can successfully attach a
USB-PS/2 connector to a USB-ADB connector.
You may prefer to do what I do - switch the video but use separate
keyboards and mice. I do this because the three computers that share
my monitor (a PC, a Mac Quadra and a Mac G4) use three different
interfaces (PS/2, ADB and USB, respectively).
-- David