KVM Switch OK or Not

Hi,
I have 2 issues to which I would like to get some answers.
No.1 I use 2 PC’s mainly the second one to play around and test software and so on, but as I am a little short on space I would like to link them so that I will only use 1 Monitor ,1 Keyboard and 1 Mouse. I have been told to use a Belkin K V M Switch, my problem is how does it work and how do I connect the two PC’s onto that switch, any users here that can comment on this.

No. 2 My No. 2 PC running also XP pro 256 MB Ram Pentium 3 866 CPU 40 Gig HD. I just installed a second 40 Gig HD as Slave (not new) did a Format in Partition Magic and set to NTFS but it is only showing 4.1 Gig both in My Computer and PM.
The drive is a Seagate 7200 rpm 40 Gig. What did I do wrong.
Hawk22

 

Belkin is overpriced. Check this and the picture is self explanitory.

No. 2 is harder to answer; have you checked jumpers, BIOS, etc. Possibly you need an upgrade, depending on what size the primary HD is.

 

i've used many kvms. own a belkin but have been much happier w/ IOgear's stuff.

the belkins have displayed issues on the mouse init from my perspective. when u kick over to another system, u may see the mouse go very erratic for a few secs. usually resolved by right clicking a bunch of times so that the mouse catches up and doesn't default left click and 'do' something u didn't intend.

the iogear switches are usually cheaper and i've had no isses w/ the multimedia one at $180 or so. it's a four port switch so it's a bit more expensive but it supports sound and usb as well. and it also allows switching of the console, sound and usb independently. so u can switch among the subsystems w/o switching the console focus. quite nice in my book.

the other thing i liked was that the IOgear's come w/ cables whereas the belkins i've owned required that u buy cable kits.