On Thu, 5 Jun 2008 12:27:19 -0700 (PDT),
LakotaSilver@gmail.com wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I just purchased a Belkin KVM switch in order to switch between two
>computers at my workplace.
>
>One computer is a very, very old Gateway (over 8yrs old) that runs
>Microsoft Server 2000. There is a program installed on that computer
>that my manager refuses to lose access to, which is why that computer
>isn't out in the trash by now. (We don't have the install CD for the
>program any more, and I can't find them for purchase.) Basically,
>getting rid of that computer is not an option, but our company
>software won't run on it, so that's why I needed to buy the new
>computer.

What does "our company software won't run on it", mean
exactly?

Does it run NT, Win98, (surely not WinME?) or Win2k? Is the
problem that the old OS won't run the software (or so you
believe) or that the old spec of the system is too slow or
undercapacity to do the job?

I ask because it is not only possible, but likely the
existing installation can be migrated to a newer system,
naturally that would include the critical software.
However, I would question the wisdom of relying on a
software for your business that you can't even reinstall, it
seems like a bad risk that needs resolved before anything
else happens, NOW while you have a chance to migrate and
test a few options rather than later when there is a halt to
operations because the old system gave up and died all of a
sudden.

Basically I feel these two issues need addessed, that your
goal of using the KVM is not going to be a viable solution.



>
>The other computer is a brand-new Dell.
>
>I purchased a PS2 Belkin KVM switch even though the Dell only has USB
>ports, as I intended to use PS2-to-USB adaptors to plug the cables
>into the Dell.
>
>When I try to use the switch, the old Gateway functions just fine.
>When I switch to the new Dell and try to boot it up, it gives me a
>keyboard error, and the keyboard won't work.
>

What kind of adapter is this you are using? It's not
necessarily true that you can adapt this. How about a USB
KVM (AFAIK all Gateways from even 12+ years ago had USB (ver
1 at the time) instead, or putting a PCI or PCIe PS2 card in
the Dell?

At what point does it give you a keyboard error? Before
starting to boot the OS, during boot, or when practically
finished?

I suspect the adapter just isn't compatible, you might try
another adapter, though I don't know if it'll then work.

>Does anyone have any ideas about what I might try to get the switch
>working?

Connect the PS2 keyboard from the Gateway directly to the
adapter and see if the Dell can use that. If not, it seems
to rule out using the PS2 KVM like that.

I still suggest you do what is necessary to move away from
depending on the old system with no way to recover from the
inevitable loss of it... it WILL be replaced eventually, the
only question is when and whether you are ready for it or
are scrambling to recover from that.