IOGear MINIVIEW GCS1762, MiniView GCS1764 User Manual

MiniView™

DVI 2/4 PORT USB KVMP Switch

User Manual (GCS1762 / GCS1764)

®

Thank you for purchasing one of the most feature-rich DVI KVM with USB peripheral sharing and audio
technology on the market. You can save money and space by eliminating the need for multiple DVI monitors,
keyboards, mice, and USB peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and more. Up to 127 USB
devices can be daisy chained from this KVMP switch. Sharing speakers and a microphone also offers extra
value and convenience for the users.

USB and KVM technology together makes cross-platform management easy. A single USB console can
control a PC and a MAC workstation, and share peripherals and audio between the computers.

We hope you enjoy using your Miniview DVI USB KVMP switch, yet another first-rate connectivity solution
from IOGEAR

©2005 IOGEAR. All Rights Reserved. PKG-M0140

IOGEAR, the IOGEAR logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of IOGEAR, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. Macintosh, G3/G4 and iMac are registered trademarks of Apple
Computer, Inc. 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.

Welcome

Table of Contents

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Package Contents

Overview

Features

System Requirements

Introduction

Installation

Basic Operation

Hotkey Operation

Firmware Upgrade Utility

Appendix

Specifications

Technical Support

Radio & TV Interference Statement

Limited Warranty

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2

Package Contents

This package contains:

1 x GCS1762 or GCS1764 KVMP Switch
2 x Custom 6’ KVM Cables (GCS1762)
4 x Custom 6’ KVM Cables (GCS1764)
1 x Firmware Upgrade Cable
1 x Power Adapter
1 x User Manual
1 x Quick Start Guide

Check to make sure that all the components are present and that nothing was damaged in shipping. If you
encounter a problem, contact your dealer.

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 that connect to it.

3

Overview

The GCS1762/GCS1764 DVI KVM Switch charts a revolutionary new direction in KVM switch functionality by
combining a switch with a 2 port USB hub at the same time as it provides an interface for a digital monitor
(DVI). The new IOGEAR GCS1762/GCS1764 enhances some of the great features found in the MiniView
KVM line and adds DVI technology into the mix.

The independent (asynchronous) switching feature, allows the KVM focus to be on one computer while the
USB peripheral/Audio focus is on another computer. This gives the user greater control over and more
flexibility. It also eliminates the need to purchase a separate USB hub as well as additional speakers set for
your other computers; thus reducing cost and maximizing user space.

The Miniview DVI USB KVMP Switch fully supports the DVI specification for both digital video input (flat panel
displays, data projectors, plasma displays) and analog video input (traditional monitors).

4

Features

• Independent switching of KVM video, audio and USB hub

• Fully compliant with USB 1.1 specs for data transfer rates of up to 12 Mbps

• DVI digital and analog monitor support – fully compliant with the DVI specifications

• Computer selection via front panel switches and hotkeys

• LED display for easy status monitoring

• Auto Scan mode for monitoring of all computers

• Complete keyboard emulation for error free booting

• Superior video quality – 1600 x 1200; DDC2B

• Hot pluggable – add or remove computers without powering down the switch

• Supports Windows and MAC systems

5

System Requirements

Console

DVI monitor compliant with DVI-I specs that can support resolution of KVM switch
USB style mouse
USB style keyboard
Microphone and speakers*

*Must be set of powered speakers

Computer

Available DVI port for video**
Type A USB port
Audio ports

Cables

GCS1762 includes set of 2 cables (6’ long)
GCS1764 includes set of 4 cables (6’ long)

Front View

1. Port selection buttons

• Press selection button for less than two (2)
seconds to bring only the KVM focus to the
computer attached to its corresponding port

• Press selection button for longer than two (2)
seconds to bring KVM, Audio, and USB Hub
focus to the computer attached to its
corresponding port.

• Press selection button 1 and 2 simultaneously for
two seconds to start

Auto Scan Mode

.

2. Ports LEDs

The Ports LEDs are built into the port selection
switches. The upper ones are the KVM port LEDs;
the lower ones are the USB LEDs.

KVM LEDs

• Lights DIM ORANGE to indicate that the
computer attached to the corresponding port is
up and running (On Line).

• Lights BRIGHT ORANGE to indicate that the
computer attached to its corresponding port is
the one that has the KVM focus (Selected)

• Flashes to indicate that the computer attached to
its corresponding port is being accessed under
Auto Scan mode.

6

Introduction

USB LED

• Lights GREEN to indicate that the computer
attached to its corresponding port is the one
that has access to the USB Peripherals.

3. USB Console ports

Your USB keyboard and USB mouse plug in here.

7

Introduction

Back View

1. Firmware Upgrade port

The included Firmware Upgrade cable that
transfers the firmware upgrade data from the
administrator’s computer to the GCS1762/
GCS1764 plugs into this connector.

2. USB Hub ports

Plug your USB peripherals (printers, scanners,
etc.) into these ports

3. Console ports

Connect the cables from DVI monitor and
speakers to these ports.

4. CPU ports

The cables included with KVM switch plug into
here and the other end to your computers.

5. Power Jack

The power adapters plugs into this jack.

1

2

3

4

5

8

Introduction

USB KVM Cable

9

Introduction

Cable

The USB KVM Cables are included in the package.

Before you Begin

1. Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up has been turned off. You must unplug
the power cords of any computers that have the Keyboard Power On function. Otherwise, the switch will
receive power from the computer.

2. To prevent damage to your installation, make sure that all devices on the installation are properly
grounded.

10

Installation

1. Plug your USB keyboard and USB mouse into their corresponding USB ports located on the KVM’s
front panel.

2. Plug your DVI monitor, microphone, and speaker cables into the Console ports located on the unit’s
rear panel (left-most section labeled “console”).

3. Using one of the included KVM cables, plug the DVI, USB, and Audio connectors into one of the CPU
ports on the KVM

4. Plug the other end of the KVM
cable to the respective ports on
the computer that is part of your
installation.

5. Plug the USB peripherals that
you want to be part of your KVM
setup into the rear USB hub
ports

11

Installation

Setup and Installation

6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for any other computers
you are connecting

7. Plug the power adapter cable into the switch’s
power jack, then plug the power adapter into
an AC power source

8. Turn on the power to the computers

12

Installation

(Connection for USB Computers)

Hot Plugging

The GCS1762/GCS1764 supports USB hot plugging – components can be removed and added back into
the installation by unplugging their cables from the USB hub ports without the need to shut the unit down.

Powering Off and Restarting

If it becomes necessary to Power Off the KVM unit, before starting it back up you must do the following:

1. Shut down all the computers that are attached to the switch.

2. Unplug power adapter cable from the switch

3. Wait 10 seconds, then plug the switch’s power adapter cable back in.

4. After the switch is up, Power On the computers.

NOTE: If the KVM switch has become unresponsive or shows erratic behavior, it is highly suggested that you unplug all
cables from the KVM (all KVM cables and power cable) and leave the unit disconnected for 30 minutes. After this, plug all the
KVM cables back and power ON the unit.

13

Basic Operation

Port ID Numbering

Each CPU port on the GCS1762/GCS1764 switch is assigned a port number (1 or 2 for GCS1762; 1 to 4 for
GCS1764). The port numbers are marked on the rear panel of the switch.

The Port ID of a computer is derived from the CPU port number it is connected to. 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 audio focus with the
Hotkey port selection method.

Port Switching

There are two ways to access the computers in your KVM setup:

· Manual switching – pressing the push-buttons on the unit’s front panel

· Hotkey switching – entering commands from the keyboard

14

Basic Operation

Manual Switching

1. Press and release a port selection switch to bring the KVM focus to the computer attached to its
corresponding port. The USB and Audio focus does not change; they stay on the port that they’re already
on.

2. Press and hold a port selection switch for more than 2 seconds to bring the KVM, USB, and Audio focus
to the computer attached to its corresponding port

3. Press and hold port selection switches 1 and 2 for more than two seconds to start Auto Scan Mode. Tip:
To stop Auto Scan mode, simply press any of the port selection switches on the KVM.

15

Hotkey Operation

Hotkey Operation

The GCS1762/GCS1764 provides an extensive, easy-to-use, hotkey function that makes it convenient to
control and configure your KVM installation from the keyboard.

NOTE: The table shown next page assumes the use of a PC-compatible keyboard with the

Scroll Lock

key.
If you are using a MAC keyboard (or a keyboard that does not have Scroll Lock key), refer to the section in
the manual “

Alternate Port Switching Keys

” for information on re-configuring the KVM’s hotkeys

PC keyboard

Scroll Lock

16

Hotkey Operation

Port Switching

t

17

Hotkey Operation

Note: The n stands for the computer’s Port ID number (1, 2, 3, or 4). Replace the n with the appropriate

Port ID when entering hotkey combinations.

18

OSD Operation

Auto Scanning

Hotkey Operation

Note:

• While Auto Scan is active, ordinary keyboard and mouse functions are suspended – only Auto Scan

mode compliant keystrokes and mouse clicks can be entered. You must exit Auto Scan mode to regain
normal console control.

• Although the video focus switches from port to port, the keyboard, mouse, and USB focus doesn’t switch.

19

Hotkey Operation

Hotkey Setting Mode

Invoking HSM
For all Hotkey operations, you must use the

number keypad

on the right side of your keyboard.

To Invoke HSM (PC-Compatible keyboard):

1. Press and hold the Num Lock key

2. Press and release the Minus key

PC keyboard

3. Release the Num Lock key within one half second after releasing

Minus

key;

otherwise the KVM will not go into Hotkey mode.

Num Lock

Minus

20

To invoke HSM (MAC keyboards):

1. Press and hold the Clear key

2. Press and release the Minus key

3. Release the Clear key within one half second after releasing

Minus

key; otherwise the KVM will not go into Hotkey mode.

Mac keyboard

Hotkey Operation

Clear

Minus

21

Hotkey Operation

Note:

• If using the

Num Lock

and

Minus

key to invoke Hotkey function is not optimal for your setup, refer to the

next page to change the hotkey invocation keys.

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

Ordinary keyboard and mouse functions are suspended – only Hotkey compliant keystrokes and mouse
clicks can be input.

At the conclusion of some hotkey operations, you automatically exit Hotkey mode. With some operations,
you must exit manually by pressing the Esc or Spacebar on your keyboard.

Alternate HSM Invocation Keys

In case the default HSM invocation keys (Num Lock and Minus) are not optimal in your setup, you may
change them to Ctrl and F12, respectively.

To switch to an alternate HSM invocation, do the following:

1. Invoke HSM (see page 19)

2. Press and release H

3. This will change the HSM invocation key to Ctrl and F12 (instead of Num Lock and Minus).

Note: This procedure is a toggle between the two methods. To revert back to the original HSM invocation
keys, repeat the above procedure again.

22

Hotkey Operation

23

Hotkey Operation

Alternate Port Switching Keys

The port switching activation keys can be changed from tapping Scroll Lock key twice ([Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock]) to tapping Ctrl key twice ([Ctrl] [Ctrl]).

If you have a MAC keyboard (or your keyboard does not have Scroll Lock), you can change the port
switching activation keys by doing the following:

1. Invoke HSM (see page 19)

2. Press and release T

Now you can tap [Ctrl], [Ctrl] to switch between ports on your KVM. Please note that any hotkey operations
in the manual that use Scroll Lock, will now work with the new [Ctrl][Ctrl] port switching key.
Note: This procedure is a toggle between the two methods. To revert back to the original port switching
keys, repeat the above procedure.

24

Hotkey Operation

Keyboard Operating Platform

The GCS1762/GCS1764 default port configuration is for a PC Compatible keyboard operating platform. If
you have a MAC attached to a port, you can change a port’s keyboard operating platform configuration as
follows:

1. Bring the KVM focus to the desired port

2. Invoke HSM

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

25

Hotkey Operation

List Hotkey Settings

To see a list of the current hotkey settings, do the following:

1. Invoke HSM

2. Open a text editor (such as Notepad or Word)

3. Press F4 on your keyboard to ‘paste’ this information

USB Reset

If the USB loses focus and needs to be reset, do the following:

1. Invoke HSM

2. Press and release F5 function key

Hotkey Beeper Control

The beep sound the KVM makes when switching can be Toggled ON and OFF by doing the following:

1. Invoke HSM

2. Press and release B

Disable Port Switching Keys

To disable the port switching keys (Scroll Lock or Ctrl), please do the following:

1. Invoke HSM

2. Press [X] [Enter]

26

Hotkey Operation

Note: This procedure is a toggle. To re-enable the keys, repeat the procedure above.

Firmware Upgrade Mode

To set the GCS1762/GCS1764 in firmware upgrade mode:

1. Invoke HSM

2. Key in:

upgrade

3. Press [Enter]

Note: The front panel LEDs will flash to indicate that the KVM is in firmware upgrade mode. To exit firmware
upgrade mode, you must power off the switch.

Restore Default Settings

To reset the GCS1762/GCS1764 to its factory default settings, do the following:

1. Invoke HSM

2. Press [R] [Enter]

All hotkey settings return to factory default.

27

Hotkey Operation

MAC Keyboard Emulation

Make sure to first set the KVM to Mac
operating platform as instructed on
section “Hotkey Operation

→→

→→

→ keyboard

operating platform”

28

Hotkey Operation

Hotkey Default Settings

29

The Windows-based Firmware Upgrade Utility (FWUpgrade.exe) provides a smooth, automated process for
upgrading the KVM switch’s firmware. To run the firmware, you will need to use a windows based PC with an
available serial port.

The Utility comes as part of a Firmware Upgrade Package that is specific for each device. New firmware
upgrade packages are posted on our web site as new firmware revisions become available. Check the web
site regularly to find the latest packages and information relating to them:

http://www.iogear.com

Before You Begin

To prepare for the firmware upgrade, do the following:

From a computer that is not part of your KVM installation, go to the IOGEAR support site and select
the product part number (GCS1762 or GCS1764) to get a list of available Firmware Upgrade
Packages.

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

Use the

Firmware Upgrade Cable

provided with this unit, to connect to a serial port on your

computer to the

Firmware Upgrade Port

of your switch.

1.

2.

3.

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

30

Shut down the computers on your MiniView™
Extreme installation and make sure you have set
the KVM in firmware upgrade mode as instructed
under section Hotkey operation

→ →

→ →

→ Firmware

upgrade mode

Make sure the power is plugged into the KVM.

Once the power is plugged in and the switch is set
to upgrade, all of the amber lights on the KVM will
flash once per second. Now you are ready to run
the firmware upgrade utility.

4.

5.

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

31

To upgrade your firmware:

Run the downloaded Firmware Upgrade
Package file - either by double-clicking the file
icon, or by opening a command line and entering
the full path to it.

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

Welcome

screen

appears:

Read and

Agree

to the License Agreement

(enable the I Agree radio button).

1.

2.

Starting the Upgrade

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

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.

32

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

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

Device Description

panel.

33

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

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 firmware level
with that of the upgrade files. If it finds 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.

5.

If you didn’t enable

Check Firmware Version

, the Utility installs the upgrade files without checking whether

they are a higher level, or not.

34

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

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.

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

35

If the upgrade failed to complete successfully a
dialog box appears asking if you want to retry. Click
Yes to retry. If you click No, the

Upgrade Failed

screen appears:

Click Cancel to close the Firmware Upgrade Utility.
See the next section,

Firmware Upgrade Recovery

,

for how to proceed.

Firmware Upgrade Recovery

There are basically three conditions that call for
firmware upgrade recovery:

• When you begin a firmware upgrade, but
decide not to proceed with it.

• When the Mainboard firmware upgrade fails.

• When the I/O firmware upgrade fails.

To perform a firmware upgrade recovery, do the
following:

Slide the

Firmware Upgrade Recovery Switch

(see p. 8 drawing) to the Recover position.

Power off and restart the switch.

Slide the

Firmware Upgrade Recovery Switch

back to the Normal position.

Repeat Step 2.

1.

2.

3.

4.

The Firmware Upgrade Utility

36

Appendix

Troubleshooting

37

38

Specification

Specification

39

Technical Support

If you need technical support, please check out our IOGEAR Tech Info Library (T.I.L.) at www.iogear.com/
support for the latest tips, tricks, and troubleshooting. The IOGEAR T.I.L. was designed to provide you with

the latest technical information about our products. Most of the answers to your questions can be found
here, so please try it out before contacting technical support.

Technical support is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST and can be reached at
[phone].

40

Radio & TV Interference Statement

WARNING!!! This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause interference to radio communications. This
equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device pursuant to
Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such
interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever
measures may be required to correct the interference.

41

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR’S LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDEN­TAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, DISK, OR ITS
DOCUMENTATION EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT.

The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory with respect to the
contents or use of this documentation, and especially disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or
fitness for any particular purpose.

The direct vendor also reserves the right to revise or update the device or documentation without obligation
to notify any individual or entity of such revisions, or updates. For further inquires please contact your direct
vendor.

Limited Warranty

42

23 Hubble • Irvine, CA 92618 • (P) 949.453.8782 • (F) 949.453.8785 • www.iogear.com

Contact info.

®