StarTech.com StarView SV231 User Manual

Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor
SharingSwitch

User'sManual
SV231

Table of Contents

Introduction

Overview 1
Features 1

Installation

Device Connection 2
Initial Power-Up 6

Operation

Front Panel Push Buttons 6
Hot Key Commands 6

Appendices

Specifications 8
Trouble Shooting 9
Other StarView Switches 11

Please read this manual thoroughly and
follow the Installation procedures to
prevent damage to the StarView or any
connecting devices.

1

Introduction

Overview

The StarView SV231 is a computer switch that allows
access to two IBM compatible computers from one
keyboard, mouse and monitor. Switching between
computers is as easy as pressing the push button or
entering hot-key commands from your keyboard.
There is no interface card and software to install and the
StarView is independent of the computer operating
system. The space-saving design enables you to
connect all the cables to the back of the SV231.

Automatic Mouse Conversion

The StarView Switch enables you to connect computers
with PS/2 or serial mouse ports (using adapters supplied
with each SV231), and control both computers from one
PS/2 mouse. The StarView automatically identifies the
mouse and switches to proper mouse protocol.

Features

nSupports both PS/2 and serial mouse
nCascade configuration expands system capability
nAuto scan automatically selects

computers sequentially

nSupports Microsoft IntelliMouse (Pro), IntelliTrackball
nHot-key functions allow easy computer access
nBuilt-in buzzer for hot-key command confirmation

2

nKeyboard states automatically saved and restored

when switching computers

nOperating system independent, transparent to all

applications

nTrue plug and play system configuration
nKeyboard and mouse can be hot plugged at any time
nHigh VGA resolution 1600x1200
nDDC2B compatible
nPower-free operation

Installation

Device Connection

Turn your computers off. Connect a PS/2 keyboard to
the mini-DIN-6 port with a KEYBOARD icon and a PS/2
mouse to the mini-DIN-6 port MOUSE icon . Then
connect your VGA monitor cable directly to the HD-DB­15 port of CONSOLE as shown in figure 1.

3

Figure 1: CONSOLE Connection

The monitor connected to the HD-DB-15 VGA port of the
CONSOLE must be capable of synchronizing with the
computer's video signal. If you are uncertain about the
monitor type, please consult the monitor user's manual.

The StarView consumes negligible power and is
designed to run reliably without an external
power adapter.

Computers Connection

Now you have two computers to connect to the StarView.
Use a male-to-male Mini-DIN-6 cable to connect from the
first PC’s keyboard port to the corresponding
KEYBOARD port; and, use another male-to-male Mini­DIN-6 cable from the PC’s mouse port to the
MOUSE port. Connect your computer’s VGA port to the
HD-DB-15 port of the StarView as shown in figure 2

4

using a VGA male-to-female cable. Follow the same
procedures for the second computer using the
KEYBOARD and MOUSE port.

Figure 2: COMPUTER Connection

If your computer incorporates a serial mouse, a mouse
adapter should be connected to the computer’s mouse
port as shown in figure 3.

(Note: use only the mouse adapter supplied with
the SV231)

5

Figure 3: Adapter and serial mouse connection

NOTE: 1. The StarView SV231's automatic mouse

conversion system allows you to connect
computers using serial mice.

2. The mouse adapter can only be used on the
PC side and will not work on the CONSOLE side.

3. If your PC uses an AT style keyboard, you will

need an "AT-to-PS/2 keyboard adapter" at the
PC side.

6

Initial Power-up

Make sure all computers and the StarView SV231s
are powered down during installation. After
connection, power up the computers. The StarView
can be powered from the computers. This procedure
ensures the StarView receive computer settings
correctly when computer boots.

NOTE: You may hot plug any additional powered-down

computer to the StarView SV231 at any time after the
initial power up.

Operations

Front Panel operation

You may switch to a different computer by pressing the
front panel push-button directly or by issuing hot-key
commands. The front-panel red indicator changes to
reflect the computer port selected. The indicator flashes
while in either Auto Scan or Manual Scan mode.

Hot-key commands

Hot-key command is a short keyboard sequence to
select a computer or to activate computer scan.
StarView interprets keystrokes for hot-keys all the time.
A hot-key sequence starts with two left Ctrl keystrokes
followed by one or two more keystrokes. A built-in
buzzer generates a high-pitch beep for correct hot-key
command; otherwise, one low-pitch beep for error is

7

generated and the bad key sequence will not be
forwarded to the selected computer.

= To select a computer: left Ctrl + left Ctrl + 1 Selects

the computer at port 1. Left Ctrl + left Ctrl + 2 Selects
the computer at port 2.

NOTE: Do not use the keypad at the right of
the keyboard.

=To start Auto Scan, automatically scan

powered-on computers one by one at a fixed interval:
left Ctrl + left Ctrl + F 1.
To abort the Auto Scan mode, press the left Ctrl key
twice. When Auto Scan detects any keyboard or
mouse activity, it suspends the scanning until activity
stops; it then resumes with the next computer in
sequence. The length of the Auto Scan interval (Scan
Rate) is adjustable, see below.

= Manual Scan enables you to manually switch back

and forth between powered-on computers.
left Ctrl + left Ctrl + F2.
Press éor êto select the previous or the next
computer in sequence. And, press any other key to
abort the Manual Scan.

= To adjust Scan Rate which sets the duration before

switching to the next computer in Auto Scan:
left Ctrl + left Ctrl + F3.
The StarView generates 1 to 4 beeps indicating scan
interval of 3, 8, 15 and 30 seconds respectively.

8

= To adjust keyboard typematic rate (characters/sec),

this setting over-rides that of BIOS and any operating
system: left Ctrl + left Ctrl + F4.
The StarView generates 1 to 4 beeps corresponding
to 10, 15, 20 and 30 characters/sec respectively.

Appendices

Specifications

SV231

No. of computers supported 2
Cascade control PC number Up to 4*
Front panel button control 1
Hot plug-and-play Ye s
Hot-key control Ye s
Automatic scan interval 3, 8, 15, 30 seconds
Cable Length (Max) 30M(100ft) at CONSOLE

30M(100ft) at PC

VGA 1600 x 1200, DDC2B
Computer keyboard connector
mouse
monitor

PS/2
PS/2, serial (with adapter)
HD-DB-15 male

Console keyboard connector
mouse
monitor

PS/2
PS/2
HD-DB-15 female

Weight 420g
H x W x D (mm)
(in.)
size

40x124x70

1.6x4.9x2.7
Micro

9

Power supply Optional (DC 9V,500mA)

Troubleshooting

Ensure that all cables are well seated. Check that
keyboard/mouse cables are not swapped. Label
and bundle the cables for each computer to avoid
confusion when connected to the StarView.

Symptom Causes Solutions

Keyboard or

mouse does not

work

Improper power-up

sequence.

Keyboard or

mouse not properly

initialized.

Press and hold down the

push button for 3

seconds, the StarView will

re-initialize the keyboard

and mouse.

If problem persists,

unplug the keyboard or

mouse, wait for few

seconds then plug it back.

Keyboard error

on boot

Loose keyboard

connection.

Make sure keyboard

cables are well seated.

Keyboard

strokes shifted

The computer was

in shifted state

when last switched

Press both SHIFT keys.

Auto Scan does

not switch PC

automatically

and StarView

beeps.

All PCs are off or

only one PC is

turned on. Scan

mode works for

power-on

computers only.

Turn computers on.

Press left Ctrl key twice

to abort Auto Scan mode.

Theéand ê

keys do not

work in Manual

Scan

All PCs are off or

only one PC is

turned on. Scan

mode works for

power-on

computers only.

Turn computers on.

Press any other key to

abort Manual Scan mode.

The StarView

fails to function

occasionally.

Computers do not

supply enough

power.

Add a power adapter with

minimum of DC 9V

500mA output rating to

the SPARE power jack.

Computer can

not use serial

mouse

Loose mouse

adapter Incorrect

mouse adapter.

Secure the mouse

adapter to computer’s

COM port. Use only the

mouse adapter comes

with the SV231.

Not functional

in cascade

configuration.

In master/slave

configuration, the

master unit must

have equal or more

PC ports than that

of slaves. If SV231

is a slave, its

master can be

SV231, SV431,

SV831 or SV1631.

SV231 can be a slave of

SV231, SV431, SV831

and SV1631. If SV231 is

a master, then SV431,

SV831 nor SV1631 can

be its slave.

11

Other StarView Switches

Other high-performance StarView KVM switches

No OSD OSD model 2 Console –

OSD Model

2-port SV231
4-port SV431 SV431D
8-port SV831 SV831D SV832D
16-port SV1631D SV1632D

-OSD: advanced On-Screen Display interface
enabling you to assign PC names, access PCs by the
names. Other features include programmable scan
pattern, password security, etc.

Limited Warranty

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR'S LIABILITY FOR
DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTIAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFIT, LOSS OF
BUSINESS, OR FINANCIAL LOSS WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY
THE USE OF THE PRODUCT EXCEEDS THE PRICE PAID FOR
THE PDOCUDT.

The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation,
expressed or implied 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 product or documentation without obligation
to notify any user of such revisions or updates. For
further information, please contact your direct vendor.

All the brand names and registered trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.