Adder FAQ's

• Q1   The picture on my screen looks fuzzy or smeared
  • All Adder KVM switches support very high video resolutions of at least 1900 x 1440 pixels. If you have a suitable high resolution monitor, computer video card and good quality interconnection cables your video picture will be crystal clear.
    The video cables used to connect your computers to the Adder KVM switch make a significant difference to the quality of video that can be achieved. For resolutions above 800 x 600 pixels or cable distances above 2 metres it is highly recommended that you use tri-coax 75-ohm cables that are specifically designed to carry video. These cables are readily available and can usually be identified by the thickness of the cable which is similar in thickness to the video cable that comes out of the back of monitors.
    The cables are thick because they contain separately shielded coaxial cables for each of the video colours within an overall combined cable sheath. A cheaper style of data cable may be used but the clarity of video is visibly reduced if you are running at resolutions above 800 x 600 pixels.
    Cheaper cables are normally substantially thinner than the tri-coax type and should not be used for distances over two metres. Never try to extend a tri-coax cable with a data cable as the picture quality will degrade badly. Tri-coax cables may be successfully extended with tri-coax extension cables although for best video quality you should keep the cable lengths and extensions to a minimum.
    As cable distances are extended video quality starts to degrade. Very good video quality can be achieved using 10 metre tri-coax cables, degradation becomes noticeable when using cables longer than 30 metres and at 50 metres the quality may be poor but useable for basic resolutions.
    
• Q2   I am trying to connect an Adder KVM switch to a computer that requires an RS232 (9 pin D-type connector) mouse. I am using an old 'PS/2 to RS232 mouse adapter' but it doesn't seem to work. What am I doing wrong?
  • All Adder KVM switches can be connected to computers with PS/2 (6 pin mini-DIN connector) or RS232 (9 pin D-type connector) mouse connections. To connect to a computer with an RS232 mouse port, a 'PS/2 to RS232 mouse adapter' is fitted to the free end of the PS/2 mouse cable from the Adder KVM switch. Many mice that support PS/2 and RS232 communications use a similar system and are often supplied with adapters.
    Problems arise because there is no standard for the wiring of the adapters and consequently an adapter that works with one manufacturer's mouse may not work with another. This is often confusing for users as the adapters look similar. To avoid compatibility problems it is advisable to use adapters that are sold specifically for use with Adder switches. Alternatively, if you have a multimeter, you can check the wiring of your adapter against the wiring information in the Adder KVM switch's manual. Most problems with RS232 mouse connections are related to incorrect adapter wiring.
    
• Q3   I've got an Adder KVM switch, connected to a number of servers, that has been running happily for some time. I've just connected a new computer to the KVM switch but can't get a video picture on it, all the other computers are fine. What's the problem?
  • Adder KVM switches pass video signals from a selected computer to the monitor but do not manipulate or convert the video signal format. If you have multiple computers with different video cards and screen resolutions then you need to use a multi-sync monitor that will work when connected directly into the back of each computer. Many older monitors do not support the resolutions and scan rates used by newer computers. If there is a problem getting a video picture from some computers it is always worthwhile connecting the monitor directly into the back of the computer to check that they work together. If they don't then you will need to use a newer monitor.
• Q4   I set a password on my Adder KVM switch but have forgotten it. Now the Adder switch is locked and I can't use it. Help!
  • You can re-set the password if you have access to the KVM switch and can power off the system. Although configure mode access is locked out you can enter configure mode by pressing the front panel key during the power on cycle. Once within configure mode you can reset your password. Password features are designed to provide security in installations where the KVM switch is locked away in a secure area and only provide a disincentive where the KVM switch is physically accessible.
• Q5   I've lost my manual and can't remember how to use my Adder unit.
  • Email us your details and preferred language along with the model, description, serial number and approximate date of purchase of your unit and we will email you a PDF of the relevant manual where available.
    Some of our older manuals are not available in PDF format but the manual may be purchased in hard copy format for a small charge. Email all requests to info@kvmchoice.com.
• Q6   I've had an Adder SmartView for several years. I've just bought a Microsoft IntelliMouse with a wheel and now I am experiencing problems using this mouse with the SmartView. How can I fix this?
  • SmartViews were developed before the IntelliMouse and early SmartView units only support basic mouse types. Your SmartView may be upgraded to support an Intellimouse with an upgrade kit. Please contact our sales department for upgrade information and pricing.
• Q7   I'm having problems with my keyboard / mouse. What should I do?
  • Although keyboard and mouse compatibility is a major issue for KVM manufacturers, keyboard and mouse problems with Adder KVM switches are rare as Adder has invested significant development time in solving keyboard and mouse communications problems.
    Problems arise from the vast diversity of keyboard, mouse and computer manufacturers and the lack of defined standards. Each manufacturer tends to implement subtle variants to a loosely defined standard. Consequently there is great potential for incompatibilities.
    Purchasing a switch from a reputable firm such as KVM Choice will help you avoid communication problems, in the rare event that you do experience compatibility problems the source can be isolated in a systematic manner:
    All Adder KVM switches are fitted with keyboard and mouse data activity indicators that enable you to see if data from the keyboard or mouse is getting through to the KVM switch. If you don't see any data activity then try another keyboard or mouse, preferably one from a major supplier such as Microsoft, IBM, Compaq, HP or Logitech.
    If you think that there is a problem with data getting through from the Adder KVM switch to the computer then selectively disconnect the keyboard and mouse cables and replace them with directly attached devices. This process will help to isolate the problem and usually leads to a resolution.
    If the problem continues then try re-powering the Adder KVM switch, using another port or using alternative cables.
    If you are still unable to resolve the problem then contact KVM Choice Technical Support.
    
• Q8   I have an Adder KVM switch with an on-screen display. Everything works fine except that I can't access the OSD menu when using hotkeys+M. I am using standard devices and a French keyboard layout.
  • French keyboards use the AZERTY format not the QWERTY format. This means that the menu activation hotkeys are remapped to hotkeys+?.
• Q9   I am using the AdderLink product and am seeing odd distortion on the video picture.
  • As long as it's been correctly installed, the AdderLink should give very sharp high quality video picture. You need to use AdderLink's video compensation function to maximise video quality for your given length of cable (this only needs to be done once).
    Video distortion is also sometimes caused by the way that the twisted pairs are wired within the twisted pair cable. It is very important that the twisted pairs within the cable are wired to the correct pins. Some people make the mistake of thinking that the first pair goes onto pins 1 and 2, the second onto pins 3 and 4 and so on. But this is not correct and will produce very poor video quality if your twisted pair cable is wired in this manner.
    The AdderLink uses the same arrangement of pairs as standard Ethernet network wiring. If you have had your building wiring installed professionally then there should be no problem. If in doubt refer to the detailed wiring diagrams in the back of the AdderLink manual.
• Q10   This is a test?
  • A test is what this is
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