Reviews for Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Built-In Cabling

Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Built-In Cabling

Strengths: Easy setup, good documentation. Works great and stable.

Weakness: No mounting options, front mounting cables and rear exit of connections make keeping it on a desk difficult.

Very simple hookup. Two very long cables to connect to the 2 PC's. Conection was really very easy. The audio/mic switching is very nice and really poses no issues. The siwtch itself is lit indicating selection.

Cable mounting is the one negative to this unit. The cables are like a "Y", the two PC lines come in from the "back". The monitor/USB/audio attach at the "front". This is a real hassle - everyone likes their cables hidden away, and the design prevents this. There is no provision for wall mounting either.

Note: for proper behavior, the USB connections MUST be made to both PC's, even if not used. The switch draws its power from the USB. I had planned to just use this as a simple Monitor switch for the short term. If only one USB is connected, the switch will default to that PC no matter if the other PC is running. That is, you choose the other, it switches, and in a few seconds it goes back to the first. It wasn't until I connected both USB cables that everything became very stable. (Does not matter if you have USB device connected to the front "output" port). This actually works out nicely though if one PC is off - the switch automatically goes to the "on" PC.

Since then no issues - very simple usage. Fine unit to date. I can recommend it for utility for sure, though I may suggest others for ease of cable routing/mounting (i.e. ones with all cables in the back).

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Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Built-In Cabling

Strengths: All in one. Affordable. Supports my USB Mouse, USB Keyboard, and Microphone/Headset.

Weakness: Installation issues. Tech support is slack.

Ok, bought it and plugged it in. Thats about all that the directions said to do. Went thru many reboots on both PCs before the systems stabilized. Even now, my Win2000 computer is showing that I have upwards of 8 mice and 3 keyboards installed. However all that I care about is the fact that it works.

Another issue I ran into was that the switch would not stay on computer #2. I would switch to computer 2 and about 3 seconds later it automatically switched me back. The tech support dude had no idea what to do. He had me unplug the switch and wait 2 min. When I plugged it back in, it did this auto-switch thing again so the tech support guy told me that this model is not compatible with my system because it has power issues. I pressed him on this since one PC has a 250w power supply and the other has a 420w powers supply. and it became clear he was giving me B.S. to get me off the line since he had no idea. (So much for free tech support. You get what you pay for)

Anyway, after he told me I would need to exchange this unit for a different type and I hung up, I fiddled with it a little more. I unplugged the power again and waited another 2 min. I also checked and updated all the drivers. Finally the switch stabilized and I could go between the two computers with ease. Since then, I have had this auto-switch problem crop up one more time, but again I unplugged and waited and the issue resolved itself.

Last note, in order to use the (slower) software based switching method as opposed to pressing the button on the box, I highly suggest placeing a copy of the .exe file (comes on a CD) in both computers startup folder. Not that the instruction book helped with that either.

For all my complaints, I'm still happier with the switch than without it. Frequent unplugging and replugging was a pain in the butt and had me concerned about the life of my video connector pins.

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Not Worth The Problems

Strengths: Inexpensive, comes with cords.

Weakness: Unreliable and unpredictable behavior

I've owned this for approximately 2 months and no matter what I've tried (new Keyboard, new mouse, driver downloads, etc.) it still only works when it wants to. What it typicaly does is refuses to stay switched to the 2nd computer, and I end up re-starting both computers to get it to work (only for a short time until it does the whole thing again). From what I've been able to read, find a KVM switch that isn't USB. I'm taking mine back and getting another one.

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Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Built-In Cabling

Strengths: Unit with cables.

Weakness: Wireless devices and activates many HID devices in Windows Hardware Manager (Drivers??).

Acts flakey with Microsoft wireless keyboards and mice. The need for a KVM switch to continue to use my main machine and client servers when I set them up is going to require me to go with a wired keyboard and mouse on this setup (Darn!).

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Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Built-In Cabling

Strengths: Easy to instal,saves space

Weakness: none

I love this and its the second Belkin KVM product that I have owned. This particular model is extremely easy to set up and doesn't have all the cables that the previous model that I owned did. VERY NICE! Would highly recommend to those who want to conserve space when using 2 PC's.!!

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Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Built-In Cabling

Strengths: Works with my mac--flawless.

Weakness: Too bad the switch doesn't work with my windows computer (yet). I want my computer to work for me, not vice versa.

OK, I've got a mac and a pc. But I only wanted to use one monitor, mouse and keyboard. As mac advertising claims, it works. The pc does not work. While I haven't exhausted my options, I feel having to look for solutions to make stuff work *completely defeats* the purpose of plug-n-play USB ports. Shame on Microsoft for making such a rotten OS.

I want my computer to work for me--and with the mac, this switch *does* work. That in turn allows me to work. But searching for drivers online and sorting through troubleshooting guides for the PC does not allow me to work. And that cuts into my paycheck.

Final analysis: Other reviewers say it works for them, but I have yet to get it to work on my windows machine.

I will never voluntarily own a windows machine, until those machines work right the first time.

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Good for what it is

Strengths: long cables good construction

Weakness: awkward to position

Seems ok, though suffers from the samehotkey flakiness I've seen on a number of recent similar KVM units. Also, the USB connection, since it's not powered, may make a marginal USB port fall over.

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Belkin 2Port KVM Switch

Strengths: Very compact, takes up very little space on desktop. Switching betwen laptop and desktop is easy.

Weakness: Product is a little pricey when you include the audio ability.

The Switch worked very well to connect my laptop and desktop to the same monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers.
Price was much less than the same item at one of the major electronics retailers.

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Belkin F1DL102 2-port KVM Switch

Testseek.com has collected 3 expert reviews for Belkin F1DL102 2-port KVM Switch and the average expert rating is 93 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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