IOGear GCS1204 User Manual

Installation Guide

Installation

USB 2.0 Dual Link DVI KVMP Switch

GCS1204

1

Part No. M1043

3

Table of Contents

Conventions 4

Package Contents 5

Requirements 6

Operating systems 7

Components 8

Hardware Setup 12

Basic Operation 14

Port ID numbering 17

Advanced Conguration 21

Summary of Hotkey Settings 23

Comparison of Default and Alternate
Manual Port selection settings

Firmware up-grade mode 26

The Firmware Upgrade Utility 32

Troubleshooting 36

Specications 37

Video Specications 39

Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) Statement

CE Statement 42

Contact 43

Warranty 44

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5

Conventions

This manual uses the following conventions:

Monospaced Indicates text that you should key in.

[ ] Indicates keys you should press. For example, [Enter] means to press the Enter key. If keys need to
be chorded, they appear together in the same bracket with a plus sign between them: [Ctrl+Alt].

1. Numbered lists represent procedures with sequential steps.

• Bullet lists provide information, but do not involve sequential steps.

––> Indicates selecting the option (on a menu or dialog box, for example), that comes next.

For example, Start ––> Run means to open the Start menu, and then select Run.

Indicates critical information.

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Package Contents

1- USB 2.0 DVI KVMP Switch

4- Custom KVM Cable Sets (6 ft)

1- USB-to-PS/2 Converter

1- Firmware Upgrade Cable

1- Power Adapter

1- User Manual

1- Registration form

Verify all the components are present and that nothing was damaged in shipping. If you encounter a problem,
contact your dealer, or IOGEAR.

Read this manual thoroughly and follow the installation and operation procedures carefully to prevent any damage
to the unit, and / or any of the devices connected to it.

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7

Requirements

USB mouse

USB keyboard

Microphone and speakers (optional)

Monitor with a DVI input.

Computers

A DVI-D port

USB Type A port

Audio ports (optional)

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Operating Systems

OS Flavor Version

Windows 2000 and higher

Linux RedHat 7.1 and higher; FedoraCore 2 and higher

SuSE 9.0 and higher

Unixa AIX 4.3 and higher

FreeBSD 4.2 and higher

Sun Solaris 9 and higher

Novell Netware 5.0 and higher

MAC OS 9.0 and higher

Note: Supports Linux Kernel 2.6 and higher.

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Components

1

2 3 4

No. Component Description

Port Select

1

Pushbuttons

Port LEDs The Port LEDs are located below the Port selection buttons

2

KVM: Lights Dim Orange to indicate the computer attached to the port is on line. It changes

USB: Lights dim green to indicate a USB connection. It changes to bright Green to indicate

Console Ports

3

Audio

USB 2.0

4

Peripheral
Port

Press a pushbutton for longer than two seconds to bring the KVM, USB, and audio
focus to the computer attached to its corresponding port.

The upper ones are the KVM port LEDs and the lower are the USB LEDs

to bright Orange when the port is selected and ashes to indicate auto scan has been

activated.

to indicate the KVM is focused on the port

The connections for your main console microphone and speakers.
These audio ports have priority over the ports in the rear panel.

One of the two USB 2.0 peripheral ports. It is backwards compatible with USB-1

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Rear View

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152

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3

No. Component Description

1

2

3

4

Firmware Upgrade Port Connection for the rmware up-grade cable

USB Console Ports USB1.0 Keyboard and mouse connections

Console Port Section Monitor, mike, and speaker connections

CPU Port Section

Connections for the cables that link the switch to your computers.
Each CPU port is comprised of a microphone jack, speaker jack,
USB type B socket and a DVI connector

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6

Power Jack Power adapter connection

USB Peripheral Port Connection for USB 2.0 peripherals ( printers, scanners, etc)

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Hardware Setup

Make sure that power to all the devices you will be installing has been turned off. You must unplug

the power cords of any computers that have the Keyboard Power On function.

Cable Connection

To install your GCS1204, refer to the diagram on the following page. The numbers in the diagrams correspond to
the steps, below.

1. Connect your USB keyboard and mouse into the USB Console Ports located on the unit’s rear panel.

2. Connect your microphone, speakers, and monitor into the Console ports located on the unit’s rear panel

3. Using the KVM cables, connect the DVI connector to a DVI socket in the CPU Port section of the
switch, then connect the accompanying USB, microphone and speaker connectors to their
corresponding USB, microphone, and speaker sockets.

4. At the other end of the cable, connect the USB, video, microphone, and speaker cables to their
respective ports on the computer.

5. Connect your USB peripherals to the type A sockets (one is located on the front, the other is located on the
rear of the unit).

6. Connect the power adapter that came with your switch to the jack on the switch then connect the adapter to
an AC power source.

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7. Verify your connections: ports are correct and
icons match the connection type i.e. mouse
and mouse icon

8. Power on the computers.

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2

2

3

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Basic Operation

Manual Switching

There are two convenient methods to access the computers:
Manual – pressing the port selection pushbuttons located on the unit’s front panel.
Hotkey – entering key combinations from the keyboard. Hotkey port selection is discussed in the next
chapter.

Manual port selection

Press and release a port selection pushbutton to focus the computer on the corresponding port. The USB
and Audio focus do not change (expect a 2 sec delay).
Press a port selection pushbutton twice to focus the audio on the corresponding port (expect a 2 sec
delay).
Press and hold a port selection pushbutton for more than 2 seconds to change KVM, USB, and Audio
focus to the computer on the selected port.

Press and hold port selection pushbuttons 1 and 2 for more than 2 seconds to start Auto Scan Mode.

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Hotkey switching

All port switching begins by tapping the Scroll Lock key twice. The tables below describe the actions that
each combination performs.

Note:

If the Scroll Lock key conicts with programs running on the computer, or your keyboard does not have a

Scroll Lock, see the section titled Advanced Switching to use the alternate switching method.

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Cycling though the ports

Hotkey Action

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [Enter]

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [K] [Enter]

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [U] [Enter]

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [S] [Enter]

Increments the KVM, USB, and Audio focus to the next

higher port ( port 4 wraps to 1)

Increments only KVM focus to the next port

Increments only the USB hub to the next port

Increments only Audio to the next port

* The USB ports cannot be switched independently of each other.

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Port ID Numbering

Each CPU port on the GCS1204 is assigned a port number (1, 2, 3, or 4). The port numbers are marked

on the rear panel of the switch and each switch LED has a corresponding number for easy identication

The Port ID of a computer is derived from the CPU port number to which it is connected. For example, a
computer connected to CPU port 2 has a Port ID of 2.

The Port ID is used to specify which computer gets the KVM, USB peripheral, and / or audio focus with
the Hotkey port selection method

Going Directly to a Port

Note: The n stands for the computer’s Port ID number. Replace the n with the appropriate Port ID when
entering hotkey combinations

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Hotkey Action

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock][n][Enter]

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock][n] [K] Enter]

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [n] [U] [Enter]

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [n] [S] [Enter]

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [n] [K] [U] [Enter]

Brings the KVM, USB hub, and audio focus to the computer

attached to the specied port.

Brings only the KVM focus to the computer attached to the

specied port.

Brings only the USB hub focus to the computer attached to

the specied port.

Brings only the audio focus to the computer attached to the

specied port.

Brings the KVM and USB hub focus to the computer

attached to the specied port

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [n] [K] [S] [Enter] Brings the KVM and audio focus to the computer

attached to the specied port.

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [n] [U] [S] [Enter] Brings the USB hub and audio focus to the computer

attached to the specied port.

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Auto Scanning

The GCS1204’s Auto Scan feature automatically cycles KVM focus through the computer ports at
regular intervals. This allows you to monitor computer activity without having to switch from port
to port manually.

Note:

1. N stands for the number of seconds the GCS1204 will dwell on a port before moving on to the next.
Replace N with a number between 1 and 99 when entering the hotkey combination.

2. While Auto Scan Mode is in effect, ordinary keyboard and mouse functions are suspended – only
Auto Scan Mode compliant keystrokes and mouse clicks can be input. You must exit Auto Scan Mode
in order to regain normal control of the console (hit the space bar or the Esc key).

3. Although the video focus switches from port to port, the keyboard, mouse, and USB focus remain on
the port where Auto Scanning began.

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Hotkey Action

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [A] Enter]

[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [A] [N] Enter]

Invokes Auto Scan. The KVM focus cycles from port to port at
5 second intervals (default interval)

The KVM focus cycles from port to port at N seconds interval

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Advanced Conguration

Advanced Switching
Hotkey Setting Mode

In some instances the default hotkey settings conict with programs running on your computer, and in

some instances the default hotkeys either do not exist on your keyboard (MAC keyboards for instance do
not have a Scroll Lock key), or are inconvenient to use, so The Hotkey Setting Mode allows you to select

alternate congurations for the KVM’s hotkeys.

When HSM is active, the Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock LEDs ash in succession to indicate that HSM is in
effect. They stop ashing and revert to normal status when you exit HSM.

Ordinary keyboard and mouse functions are suspended – only Hotkey compliant keystrokes (described in
the sections that follow), can be input.

At the conclusion of some hotkey operations, you automatically exit hotkey mode. With some operations,
you must exit manually. To exit HSM manually, press the Esc key, or the Spacebar.

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Invoking Hotkey Setting Mode (Default)

1. Press and hold down [Num Lock] (the Clear key on MAC keyboards).

2. Press and release [-].

3. Release [Num Lock] (the Clear key on MAC keyboards).

To Toggle to the alternate Hotkey Setting Mode (HSM):

1. Press and hold down [Num Lock] (the Clear key on MAC keyboards)

2. Press and release [-].

3. Release [Num Lock] (the Clear key on MAC keyboards)

4. Press and release [H].

Invoking Hotkey Setting Mode (Alternate)

1. Press and hold down [Ctrl].

2. Press and release [F12].

3. Release [Ctrl].

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Summary of Hotkey Settings

NOTE:
The term “invoke HSM” in the following table refers to the default or alternate method chosen above

Action Key sequence

Port Switching

USB reset

Restore Default Settings

Hotkey Beeper
Control

Disable Port Switching
Hot Keys

Invoke HSM Press

and release [T]

1. Invoke HSM.

2. Press and release [F5]

1. Invoke HSM.

2. Press [R] [Enter].

1. Invoke HSM.

2. Press [B]

1. Invoke HSM

2. Press [X] [Enter]

result

Changes the [Scroll Lock] key to [Ctrl]

Resets the USB peripheral ports

Reset the KVM to its default hotkey settings

Toggles the Beeper On and Off

Toggles Hotkey Switching on or off

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Other OS Mode 1. Invoke HSM

Mouse Emulation
Control

List Hotkey
Settings

Display
Emulation
Technology

Alternative
Manual Port
Selection
Settings

2. Press [F1].

1. Invoke HSM

2. Press [M].

1. Open a word processor

2. Invoke HSM.

3. Press and release [F4].

1. Invoke HSM

2. Press and release [D]

1. Invoke HSM

2. Press and release [S]

Reset keyboards and mice under some
special OS’s that do not support USB 2.0

Allows the special programming of multifunction mice to
operate through the KVM

Prints a list of the current hotkey settings in
your text editor or word processor

Display Emulation Technology eliminates the problems of
your display reverting to default resolution when switching
between computers, or displaying a default resolution if the
KVM is not focused on the computer while it is booting.

Toggles between the default and the alternative front panel
pushbutton port selection settings See the table on the
following page for comparisons

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Comparison of Default and Alternate Manual Port Selection Settings

Action Default Alternate

Press and release a port
selection pushbutton

Press a port selection

pushbutton twice

Press and hold a port

selection pushbutton for
more than 2 seconds

Press and hold port

selection pushbuttons
1 and 2 for more than 2
seconds

Switches only the KVM
focus to the selected port

Audio focus switches to
the selected port

KVM focus, USB, and
Audio focus switch to the
selected port

Starts AutoScan at 5 sec
dwell

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KVM, Audio and USB focus switch to the
selected port

Audio focus switches to the selected port

Switches only the KVM focus
to the selected port

Starts AutoScan at 5 sec dwell

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The Firmware Upgrade Mode

Firmware Upgrade Mode

To set the KVM to Firmware Upgrade Mode:

1. Invoke your HSM.

2. Key in: upgrade

3. Press [Enter].

The front panel LEDs ash to indicate Firmware Upgrade Mode is in effect. To exit Firmware Upgrade

Mode, you must power off the switch. See The Firmware Upgrade Utility for details

Keyboard Operating Platform

The KVM’s default port conguration is for a PC compatible keyboard. If you are using a PC compatible

keyboard and you have a Mac or Sun attached to a port, you can change the port’s keyboard operating

platform conguration to emulate a Mac or Sun keyboard.

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1. Bring the KVM focus to the port you want to set.

2. Invoke HSM.

3. Press and release the appropriate Function key (see table below).

Function Key Operation

[F2]

[F3]

[F10]

After completing this procedure, you automatically exit HSM.

Enables Mac keyboard emulation, see Mac Keyboard Emulation,

Enables Sun keyboard emulation, see Sun Keyboard Emulation

Disables keyboard emulation. Key presses are passed straight through. When your console
uses a Mac keyboard to access a Mac attached to a port, for example

The PC compatible (101/104 key) keyboard can emulate the functions of Mac and Sun keyboards when
the Control key [Ctrl] is used in conjunction with other keys. The emulation mappings are listed in the table
on the next page.

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PC Keyboard Mac Keyboard

[Shift] Shift

[Ctrl] Ctrl

[Ctrl] [1]

[Ctrl] [2]

[Ctrl] [3]

[Ctrl] [4]

[Alt] Alt

PC Keyboard Mac Keyboard

[Print Screen] F13

[Scroll Lock] F14

[Enter] Return

[Backspace] Delete

[Insert] Help

[Ctrl]

=

F15

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PC Keyboard Sun Keyboard

[Ctrl] [T] Stop

[Ctrl] [F2] Again

[Ctrl] [F3] Props

[Ctrl] [F4] Undo

[Ctrl] [F5] Front

[Ctrl] [F6] Copy

[Ctrl] [F7] Open

[Ctrl] [F8] Paste

[Ctrl] [F9] Find

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PC Keyboard Sun Keyboard

[Ctrl] [F10] Cut

[Ctrl] [1]

[Ctrl] [2]

[Ctrl] [3]

[Ctrl] [4]

[Ctrl] [H] Help

Compose

Note: Press and release the  rst key [Ctrl], then press and release the activation key.

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The Firmware Upgrade Utility

The Windows-based Firmware Upgrade Utility (FWUpgrade.exe) provides a smooth, automated process

for upgrading the KVM switch’s rmware.

The Utility comes as part of a Firmware Upgrade Package that is specic for each device. New rmware
upgrade packages are posted on our Website as new rmware revisions become available. Check the
web site regularly to nd the latest packages and information relating to them.

Before you Begin

To prepare for the rmware upgrade, do the following:

1. From a computer that is not part of your KVM installation ( disconnect the computer from the KVM)
go to our Internet support site and choose the model name that relates to your device (GCS1204) to
get Firmware Upgrade Packages.

2. Choose the Firmware Upgrade Package you want to install (usually the most recent), and download it
to your computer.

3. Use the Firmware Upgrade Cable provided with this unit, to connect a COM port on your computer to
the Firmware Upgrade Port of your switch.

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4. Shut down the computers on your GCS1204 installation.

5. Invoke Firmware Upgrade Mode. The front panel LEDs ash together to indicate Firmware Upgrade

Mode is in effect.

Starting the Upgrade

To upgrade your rmware:

1. Run the downloaded Firmware Upgrade Package le – either by double clicking the le icon, or by

opening a command line and entering the full path to it.

The Firmware Upgrade Utility Welcome screen appears.

2. Read the License Agreement (enable the I Agree radio button).

3. Click Next to continue. The Firmware Upgrade Utility main screen appears.

The Utility inspects your installation. All the devices capable of being upgraded by the package are listed in
the Device List panel.

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4. As you select a device in the list, its description appears in the Device Description panel.

5. After you have made your device selection(s), Click Next to perform the upgrade.

If you enabled Check Firmware Version, the Utility compares the device’s rmware level with that of the
upgrade les. If it nds that the device’s version is higher than the upgrade version, it brings up a dialog

box informing you of the situation and gives you the option to Continue or Cancel.

If you did not enable Check Firmware Version, the Utility installs the upgrade les without checking

whether they are a higher level, or not. As the Upgrade proceeds, status messages appear in the Status
Messages panel, and the progress toward completion is shown on the Progress bar.

After the upgrade has completed, a screen appears to inform you that the procedure was successful.

Click Finish to close the Firmware Upgrade Utility.

After a successful completion, the switches exit Firmware Upgrade Mode, and reset themselves.

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Upgrade Failed

If the Upgrade Succeeded screen does not appear, it means that the upgrade failed to complete
successfully, in which case you should do the following:

1. Power off the GCS1204 and remove its housing.

2. Using a jumper cap, short the jumper on the mainboard labeled J17. The diagram below indicates the
jumper location on the GCS1204 board:

3. Power on the GCS1204. It will now work with the factory default rmware.

4. Repeat the rmware upgrade procedure.

5. After the upgrade procedure completes, power off the switch, remove the jumper cap from J17, close
the housing, and power the GCS1204 on again.

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Troubleshooting

Symptom Possible Cause Action

Mouse / Keyboard not

responding.

USB devices

not responding.

There are ghost

images on the external

monitor.

Improper mouse

and/or keyboard reset.

KVM switch

needs to be reset.

USB ports

need to reset.

PC or OS does not support
USB 2.0.

The distance between the external console and the GCS1204 is too great. The
maximum VGA cable distance should not exceed 20m and, in some cases, may

need to be shorter. Replace the VGA cable with one of an appropriately short length.

Unplug the cable(s) from the console port(s),

then plug it/them back in.

Power off all devices on the installation.

Power off the KVM switch; wait ve seconds;

then power up

Unplug the device’s USB cable from the USB port
on the switch’s rear panel, then plug it back in.

The GCS1204 has a built-in USB 2.0 hub, so
will not support PCs or OS that do not support
USB 2.0.

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Specications

Function GCS1782(GCS1784)

Computer Connections 4

CPU Port Selection Front Panel Pushbuttons; Hotkey

Console Connectors Keyboard 1 x USB Type A F (black, rear panel)

Mouse 1 x USB Type A F (black, rear panel)

Video 1 x DVI-I F (white)

Audio* Line in Port 2x Mini Stereo Jack

(green; 1 x front panel, 1 x rear panel)

Microphone Port 2x Mini Stereo Jack

(pink; 1 x front panel, 1 x rear panel)

Power Consumption DC 5.3V, 4.8W

Computer Connectors KB / USB X 2

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Switches

LEDs

Mouse

Video

F/W Upgrade

Power

Dual Link DVI

3.5mm

1

USB Hub 2

4 ea Port Selection

4 Green

4 Orange

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Video Specications

DVI-D:

2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz (Dual Link);

supports Apple 20”, 23”, 30” Cinema Display;

supports Viewsonic 22” LCD monitor

DVI-A:

2048 x 1536; DDC2B

Supports Special monitors to 3840 x 2400 @

13Hz (Single Link);

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41

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement

15.21

You are cautioned that changes or modications not expressly approved by the part responsible for

compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

15.105(b)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

-Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

-Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

-Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

-Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

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Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1) this device may not cause interference and

2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.

FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement:

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.

End users must follow the specic operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance. This

transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

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CE Statement

This device has been tested and found to comply with the requirements set up in the council directive
on the approximation of the law of member states relating to EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, Low Voltage
Directive 73/23/EEC and R&TTE Directive 99/5/EC.

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Contact

IOGEAR, INC.

23 Hubble

Irvine, CA 92618

P 949.453.8782

F 949.453.8785

Visit us at: www.iogear.com

© 2008 IOGEAR. All Rights reserved. Part No. M1043

IOGEAR, the IOGEAR logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of IOGEAR, Inc. Microsoft and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other brand and product names
are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. IOGEAR makes no warranty of
any kind with regards to the information presented in this document. All information furnished here is
for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. IOGEAR, Inc. assumes no
responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this document.

43

Warranty

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU!
NEED ASSISTANCE SETTING UP THIS PRODUCT?

Make sure you:

1. Use the live chat at www.iogear.com to try and solve any issues you may be having with the product

2. Visit the Tech Info Library/FAQ on www.iogear.com (under the Support tab)

3. Call the 24/7 tech support line at 1(866) 946-4327 (U.S. only) or [phone]

Warranty Information

This product carries a 3 Year Limited Warranty. For the terms and conditions of this warranty, please go
to http://www.iogear.com/support/warranty or call 1-866-946-4327

Register online at http://www.iogear.com/register

Important Product Information

Product Model _________________

Serial # _______________________

44

About Us

About Us

FUN

IOGEAR offers connectivity solutions that are innovative, fun, and stylish,
helping people enjoy daily life using our high technology products.

GREEN

IOGEAR is an environmentally conscious company that emphasizes the
importance of conserving natural resources. The use of our technology

solutions helps reduce electronic waste.

HEALTH

IOGEAR supports healthy and t lifestyles. By integrating products with the
latest scientic developments, IOGEAR’s solutions enhance the life of end-

users.

© 2007 IOGEAR, INC.