No Mouse

[Tovian]

I am running PCLOS on an older Compaq desktop. It is connected along with three other machines to a Linksys KVM switch (vga, ps2, no audio). I have been running this configuration for several years with (almost) no problems. The one nuisance has to do with the mouse...

If I boot the Linux (PCLOS) computer with the KVM switch selected to it all is well... there are no problems at all. However, what I generally do is start a "Restart" sequence and go work on another computer while the Linux box is restarting. If the KVM switch is not selected to the Linux box during the boot process then when that process completes there will be keyboard and video - BUT NO MOUSE. I always have to re-boot AGAIN with the KVM switch selected to the Linux box. There's never a problem with video or keyboard - just the mouse !!

This does NOT happen on my Windows machines and I don't remember it ever happening when I was running Mepis-Linux (on the exact same computer running PCLOS today).

Is there any way to prevent the requirement to have the mouse connected during the boot process - OR - is there any way (command) to re-acquire the mouse after boot has completed ?

It would not be productive (for you or me) to go through a long and detailed analysis of the hardware and/or software. I'm just hoping for a quick-and-easy solution.

Thanks in advance............... (and HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!)... to all.

[jimwilk]

Tovian
It is a while since I had a KVM switch connected here. But, when I did, I got the impression that the switch got its power from the computer via  the USB /PS2 mouse cable. From your post, I am not sure if the mouse cable is unplugged from the computer, or the mouse unplugged from the KVM switch. I feel as if I need more detail about the connections

As this is the first time that we have "spoken" let me extend to you a warm welcome, from New Zealand.

Jim

[Tovian]

Jim, Thank you for your welcome.

Regarding your question... I don't physically unplug anything. However, when I select a specific computer for the KVM switch, then it "Logically" unplugs the mouse, keyboard and monitor from all other computers.

If I select the PCLOS/Linux computer while it is restarting all is OK. If I select a different computer while the Linux restart is in progress then there is no mouse when that restart completes. This occurs ON THE LINUX BOX ONLY - none of the other computers on the KVM switch are affected.

(When I use the term "select" it just means that I'm directing the KVM switch to one computer instead of another. It's the [ctrl+shift+alt+#] key-sequence for this KVM switch ... # is actually the number of the computer I want. It's a four-port switch so # is 1, or 2, or 3, or 4.

[Just17]

Tovian, welcome to the forum .......  but I have to say that I find your signature unacceptable in the extreme   

'O Lord, bless this Thy hand grenade that, with it,
Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits... in Thy mercy.'

It reads like something a real terrorist might like to have as a sig.

[Tovian]

A real terrorist known as Monty Python. What I believe is most extreme is the juxtaposition and sarcasm.

Can't you just picture a Monty Python sketch doing a "terrorist" ?

Anyway, regarding the Holy HandGrenade of Antioch, here's the Wikipedia article...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Hand_Grenade_of_Antioch

and a photo...
http://i89.blocked-photobucket/albums/k228/shaihulud_2006/holyhandgrenade2.jpg

and the actual sketch

Monty Python-Holy Hand Grenade

[Tovian]

Wow... all I did was paste the link to the YouTube clip. I had no idea it would show up in-line.