2.9 Other useful installation information

PC boot up sequence - When your PCs are powered on they communicate with any attached keyboards and mice and setup parameters required by the particular operating system. It is necessary for the AdderView GEM to be attached and powered on during this sequence so that it can give the required responses and keep track of all the modes and settings requested by each of the connected PCs.

Mouse characteristics - do not unplug a PS/2 mouse connection from a PC whilst the PC is on. Due to the design of PS/2 mice communications the mouse function on the PC will be lost and you will have to re-boot the PC to regain normal operation. Unplugging the mouse from the AdderView GEM will also cause it to stop operating when it is plugged back in. RS232 mice can usually be unplugged and plugged back in provided that a mouse was connected when the operating system initially booted. The AdderView GEM is fitted with a PS/2 mouse recovery system which allows you to disconnect and re-connect the shared mouse without powering down the system (although this is generally not advisable) - see section 2.10 for details.

Keyboard and mouse mode switching - The AdderView GEM keeps a log of the keyboard and mouse mode and resolution settings requested by each of the connected PCs. These settings are automatically restored to the shared keyboard and mouse when the AdderView GEM channel is switched thus ensuring maximum software compatibility. The keyboard num, caps and scroll lock states are an obvious example of this process.

2.10 Re-enabling a disconnected PS/2 mouse

If you disconnect the shared PS/2 mouse from the AdderView GEM by accident during operation then the mouse operation will be lost when the mouse is plugged back in. To avoid having to reboot the entire system in this situation the AdderView GEM is fitted with an automatic mouse recovery system.

With the PS/2 mouse disconnected, change the channel using the keypad or keyboard hotkeys. The AdderView GEM detects that the mouse has been disconnected and triggers the automatic recovery system. Plug in the PS/2 mouse and the AdderView GEM will re-initialise it.

AdderView GEM

Installation and Use

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Adder Technology GEMAV4GEM, GEMAV2GEM manual Other useful installation information, Re-enabling a disconnected PS/2 mouse