Black Box SW627A-R2, SW628A-R2 manual Operation

CHAPTER 4: Operation

might not work properly with keyboards that have proprietary keys or connectors or use proprietary keyboard-scan modes.

Standard PC keyboards have between 101 and 105 keys. In order to reproduce all of the functions of the Apple keyboard, which has 105 keys (not all the same as those on the 105-key PC keyboard), we have “mapped” several of the special Apple keys to other keys on the PC keyboard. You can select any of three different mapping options; see Section 4.3.12 for a full rundown.

Other concerns:

•Because the ServSwitch Jr. MP currently only supports “stream mode” (continuous) mouse data but older IBM ThinkPad models have to handle mouse data in “prompt mode” (burst-on-request), don’t try to attach any older ThinkPad computers to the Switch, either directly or through docking stations. Some newer models should work with the Switch, but there’s no good way to tell other than by trial and error. (You can’t damage your equipment by trying—if you have the wrong kind of ThinkPad, it just won’t work.)

•Make sure that the IBM PC CPU(s) use only the generic Microsoft mouse driver MOUSE.COM, version 4.0 at least and preferably version 9.01 or higher. If you’re running Windows® 3.x, this driver must be loaded in Windows as well as in the base operating system. On PCs, do not run any programs or TSRs, or enter any DOS commands, that change the settings of the mouse port after the driver has been loaded.

•When you first switch between CPUs, especially from the PC CPU to a Mac CPU or vice versa, you might notice wide variations in mouse sensitivity (how far or fast the mouse moves) from CPU to CPU. This is normal. Both the PC and Apple platforms have ways to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse. (This is usually handled through some kind of software “control panel,” but the specifics vary depending on the operating system and—in IBM applications— on the mouse driver.) To optimize mouse movement, adjust the sensitivity on each CPU according to your individual preference.

•Although the ServSwitch Jr. MP resists minor transient surges that can be caused by rapidly cycling power, certain keyboards are sensitive to such transients. Because your shared keyboard’s power comes through the Switch, wait at least three seconds after powering down the Switch before powering it up again, or the keyboard might not reset correctly.

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