PSUs with and without switches. And KVM compatibility with them

[Guest]

My PSU(for my computer) has a switch at the back for turning it on and
off. Is it easy to disable the switch and make it like a typical PSU
without the switch?

Is there a name for the PSUs with switches at the back. A name that
distinguishes them from the PSUs withotu switches at the back

My KVM switch isn't compatible with PSUs with switches at the back.
When I power off the computer, the kvm thinks the comp is still on, but
then doesn't let me move to another comp. I have to turn the comp off
at the back in order for the kvm to realise that the comp is off.

[MasterBlaster]

<jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk> wrote
My PSU(for my computer) has a switch at the back for turning it on and off. Is it easy to disable the switch and make it like a typical PSU without the switch?

No. You have an ATX power supply attached to an ATX motherboard.

To be able to have Windows "Shut Down" the system, and for the system
to be able to "wake up" at a certain time, or because the modem detects
the phone ringing, or various other reasons, some of the components need
to have power all the time. When you "Shut Down", your motherboard
sends a signal to the PSU telling it to turn off, and your front-mounted
"power switch" is actually just a signalling device that tells the motherboard
to tell the PSU to turn on/off.
Is there a name for the PSUs with switches at the back. A name that distinguishes them from the PSUs withotu switches at the back

Yours is "ATX".
The ones with no switch at the back are the older "AT". They have a
switch at the front instead, that actually cuts off the power. There's no
way for Windows to have an AT system automatically shut down.
My KVM switch isn't compatible with PSUs with switches at the back. When I power off the computer, the kvm thinks the comp is still on, but then doesn't let me move to another comp. I have to turn the comp off at the back in order for the kvm to realise that the comp is off.

You're on your own for that part, or until someone else replies.

[Chris Hill]

On 11 Jun 2005 21:45:11 -0700, jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
My PSU(for my computer) has a switch at the back for turning it on andoff. Is it easy to disable the switch and make it like a typical PSUwithout the switch?Is there a name for the PSUs with switches at the back. A name thatdistinguishes them from the PSUs withotu switches at the backMy KVM switch isn't compatible with PSUs with switches at the back.When I power off the computer, the kvm thinks the comp is still on, butthen doesn't let me move to another comp. I have to turn the comp offat the back in order for the kvm to realise that the comp is off.


Replace the kvm. A psu without a switch will behave the same way,
except you'll have to pull the plug.

[Guest]

you seriosuly tellin em i have an AT PSU?!

But the MOBO connector is 1 connector. Those old AT PSUs had it split
in 2 connectors.
And there is no extra plug for a monitor to plug in.

I'm sure there is a power_good or whatever the line is on the PSU.
Besides. It does shut down the whole computer when I shut down windows
.. All the fans go off.

Switch on the front?
I know what you mean.
AT PSUs have a great thick long cable with a switch on the end. The
cable runs all the way to the front of the computer and the computer
case has a plastic button when when pushed - literally - pushes that
PSU's switch .

I don't have that. I have an ATX PSU with a switch - (like a light
switch not a phallic knob) on the end.

Mine is like this
http://shop.nexnix.co.uk/ATX300w.jpg

[Guest]

PSUs without the switch behave ok.

All PSUs i'm referring to are ATX.

The theroy is. The PSUs with a switch give power to the keyb/mouse
connectors even when the computer is off (fans off, lgihts off, sounds
off, everything off, power_good signal LOW. Off Off Off).

[LJ]

You have a slightly unusual ATX supply.
Most ATX supplies do not have the rear panel switch;
otherwise it is normal ATX. There is no need to remove it
as it would not solve your problem, since that
switch is hard wired into the power line. Just
leaving it on is the equivalent of removing it.
Your KVM is apparently detecting the standby
5VSB from the machine you are turning off, and the standby
volts does turn off when you throw the back panel switch.
Try turning off in the BIOS any choices about Wake on LAN
or similar and see if that solves your problem.

<jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1118583126.242553.216520@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... you seriosuly tellin em i have an AT PSU?! But the MOBO connector is 1 connector. Those old AT PSUs had it split in 2 connectors. And there is no extra plug for a monitor to plug in. I'm sure there is a power_good or whatever the line is on the PSU. Besides. It does shut down the whole computer when I shut down windows . All the fans go off. Switch on the front? I know what you mean. AT PSUs have a great thick long cable with a switch on the end. The cable runs all the way to the front of the computer and the computer case has a plastic button when when pushed - literally - pushes that PSU's switch . I don't have that. I have an ATX PSU with a switch - (like a light switch not a phallic knob) on the end. Mine is like this http://shop.nexnix.co.uk/ATX300w.jpg

[Greg]

On 12 Jun 2005 06:35:16 -0700, jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
PSUs without the switch behave ok.All PSUs i'm referring to are ATX.The theroy is. The PSUs with a switch give power to the keyb/mouseconnectors even when the computer is off (fans off, lgihts off, soundsoff, everything off, power_good signal LOW. Off Off Off).

Look at the BIOS and see if you have "wake up on keyboard" on. That
may be holding up the 5v to the keyboard when the machine is off.

[Jason Gurtz]

On 6/12/2005 00:45, jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
When I power off the computer, the kvm thinks the comp is still on, but then doesn't let me move to another comp. I have to turn the comp off at the back in order for the kvm to realise that the comp is off.

You'll want to replace that POS KVM switch. It's a waste of the materials
that it's made of.

~Jason

--

[Guest]

both wake on keybaord and a wake on LAN were disabled. I'll just get
PSUs without the switch - i don't know what they're called but i'll
look at pics and make enquiries.

[Guest]

I love the kvm switch. I've had problems with previous ones. I
recommend this kvm switch to everybody. It's a Zonet KVM 3004 (4 port
kvm switch). It was on newegg with almost 40 positive reviews
averaging at full marks.

My only gripe with it is that it's not a tidy design.

I could buy another 5 KVMs and they might all have the same problem.

Easiest and safest to buy some new PSUs. there's a slight risk that i
don't know what 'switchless' PSUs are called, but pics do the job.

[LJ]

That's a waste of money. Your problem is the KVM
not the power supply. If you leave the switch on
all the time, the two are identical. You've been told
this at twice before.

<jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1118827845.264034.196420@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com... both wake on keybaord and a wake on LAN were disabled. I'll just get PSUs without the switch - i don't know what they're called but i'll look at pics and make enquiries.

[Chris Hill]

On 15 Jun 2005 02:30:45 -0700, "jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk"
<jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
both wake on keybaord and a wake on LAN were disabled. I'll just getPSUs without the switch - i don't know what they're called but i'lllook at pics and make enquiries.

It won't help. Put the money into a decent kvm, that's where your
problem is.

[Guest]

If I leave the switch on all the time, the 2 [PSUs] ARE NOT identical.
If that was the case then I wouldn't have a problem.

The problem was that when I turn the computer off, the KVM does not
detect it unless the PSU is switched off too.

I know that an ATX PSU without a switch works, I obviously tested one.
that is why I have said that the problem was the fact that the PSU has
a switch at the back. My description of the problem was not a
description of how I diagnosed it. You assumed that I didn't diagnose
it at all, and didn't even try a 'regular' ATX PSU. Why else do you
keep telling me that a 'regular' ATX PSU would work?!! And somebody
else assumed that I had an AT PSU. I appreciate the responses - even if
they're wrong, because people can be corrected, and the forum also acts
as a knowledge base, and people can be learn, and others with similar
problems can benefit from a cumulative brain, with errors weeded out.


I'm still posting - for the benefit of somebody else with the same
problem. So they don't fall for bad solutions being suggested. It is a
waste of money to buy a new kvm switch to replace the excellent one I
have, whilst being totally ignorant as to whether the new KVM switch
will actually not have the same problem. I can't know before I buy it.

You can have a look at this so-called 'POS KVM' here. It now has 48
glowing reviews. It is a wonderful KVM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107602

I tried a few KVMs before, and , like many people that reviews that
KVM, I found that this KVM was reliable and worked well.

Unless it's proven to me that another KVM does not have that
malfunction, and it works just as well as the Zonet KVM Switch, then I
don't see any reason for me to go throwing money around with my fingers
crossed.

The cheapest and best solution for anybody with this problem is to
trade in your old PSUs and get new ones. This solution should be
reconsidered if it were proven that another KVM Switch does not have
this problem.
Obviously, I suggest that those with the problem, test with a regular
PSU yourselves. If a regular PSU works, then you have the same problem
I have. and so far, only one guaranteed solution exists. And if you
trade in your old PSUs and get ones without switches, then it really
isn't exactly a 'waste of money'! It's the only guaranteed solution
given thus far, and it costs nothing.

I am posting this so that people do not get fed wrong information. And
so that the bad solutions do get weeded out. I do appreciate all
responses, including ones with logical errors and faulty assumptions.

[Ralph]

The point you're missing is that the switch
has nothing to do with this. An ATX supply
is standard, what is much more likely is that
the 5VSB line, which your keyboard is apparently
powered by, in one case can supply more current
than in the other. The only thing the back panel
switch turns off when the machine is powered
down is the standby volts.

<jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1118854710.296348.149610@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... If I leave the switch on all the time, the 2 [PSUs] ARE NOT identical. If that was the case then I wouldn't have a problem. The problem was that when I turn the computer off, the KVM does not detect it unless the PSU is switched off too. I know that an ATX PSU without a switch works, I obviously tested one. that is why I have said that the problem was the fact that the PSU has a switch at the back. My description of the problem was not a description of how I diagnosed it. You assumed that I didn't diagnose it at all, and didn't even try a 'regular' ATX PSU. Why else do you keep telling me that a 'regular' ATX PSU would work?!! And somebody else assumed that I had an AT PSU. I appreciate the responses - even if they're wrong, because people can be corrected, and the forum also acts as a knowledge base, and people can be learn, and others with similar problems can benefit from a cumulative brain, with errors weeded out. I'm still posting - for the benefit of somebody else with the same problem. So they don't fall for bad solutions being suggested. It is a waste of money to buy a new kvm switch to replace the excellent one I have, whilst being totally ignorant as to whether the new KVM switch will actually not have the same problem. I can't know before I buy it. You can have a look at this so-called 'POS KVM' here. It now has 48 glowing reviews. It is a wonderful KVM. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107602 I tried a few KVMs before, and , like many people that reviews that KVM, I found that this KVM was reliable and worked well. Unless it's proven to me that another KVM does not have that malfunction, and it works just as well as the Zonet KVM Switch, then I don't see any reason for me to go throwing money around with my fingers crossed. The cheapest and best solution for anybody with this problem is to trade in your old PSUs and get new ones. This solution should be reconsidered if it were proven that another KVM Switch does not have this problem. Obviously, I suggest that those with the problem, test with a regular PSU yourselves. If a regular PSU works, then you have the same problem I have. and so far, only one guaranteed solution exists. And if you trade in your old PSUs and get ones without switches, then it really isn't exactly a 'waste of money'! It's the only guaranteed solution given thus far, and it costs nothing. I am posting this so that people do not get fed wrong information. And so that the bad solutions do get weeded out. I do appreciate all responses, including ones with logical errors and faulty assumptions.

[Guest]

so according to you, what should I be changing?

I have shown that the kvm switch is happy with one of my 'switchless'
ATX supplies. So my KVM switch is not at fault.

[Guest]

I tried a few diff comps and swapped PSUs, it seems, as people have
said, it's nothign to do with the PSU. It's an issue between the
motherboard(made by pcchips / pcchipsusa ) and the kvm.

[Guest]

jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote: I tried a few diff comps and swapped PSUs, it seems, as people have said, it's nothign to do with the PSU. It's an issue between the motherboard(made by pcchips / pcchipsusa ) and the kvm.

I've chatted to some techie electricians. The KVM is fine. It's a
stupid motherboard for pumping electricity down the 2ps2 port when the
computer is off.

Perhaps if there was a KVM switch that doesn't taket power from the ps2
port then i'd be ok. My KVM switch has an AC adaptor , but it's as an
extra source of power. Not an alternative. So it doesn't fix the
problem.

[LJ]

You should check your mobo manual. As I
said before, your mouse/keyboard is taking
power from the standby volts instead of the
regular 5 volt line. There often is a jumper
that can be changed. This would remove the
ability to wake up the computer with the
KB or mouse, but also solve your KVM problem.

<jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1119390155.107337.157030@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote: I tried a few diff comps and swapped PSUs, it seems, as people have said, it's nothign to do with the PSU. It's an issue between the motherboard(made by pcchips / pcchipsusa ) and the kvm. I've chatted to some techie electricians. The KVM is fine. It's a stupid motherboard for pumping electricity down the 2ps2 port when the computer is off. Perhaps if there was a KVM switch that doesn't taket power from the ps2 port then i'd be ok. My KVM switch has an AC adaptor , but it's as an extra source of power. Not an alternative. So it doesn't fix the problem.

[Guest]

Pen wrote: You should check your mobo manual. As I said before, your mouse/keyboard is taking power from the standby volts instead of the regular 5 volt line. There often is a jumper that can be changed. This would remove the ability to wake up the computer with the KB or mouse, but also solve your KVM problem.

I checked that. There are no jumpers. I disabled all power management
settings in the BIOS, including wakeup by keyboard.

The keyboard lights always flash whenever they're plugged into the ps2
port.

The electrician said it's a common motherbaord problem. He said it's
because the motherboard puts the num lock on when the computer is off.
I found an option in the BIOS to 'set numlock off at bootup' but still
electricity comes out of that ps2 port - the keyboard lights flash.

I'm going to try to get some results using the USB port instead. (Using
a USB keyboard, and ps2-usb and usb-ps2 adaptors). My KVM is of course
ps2 too. I found that plugging a usb keyb in there was ok (lights
didn't flash).

[Jason Gurtz]

On 6/15/2005 05:37, jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
Easiest and safest to buy some new PSUs. there's a slight risk that i don't know what 'switchless' PSUs are called, but pics do the job.

The best bet is to stick with a quality PSU such as Antec or PC Power and
Cooling. Yes, it will cost more. :)

~Jason

--

[Guest]

jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote: Pen wrote: You should check your mobo manual. As I said before, your mouse/keyboard is taking power from the standby volts instead of the regular 5 volt line. There often is a jumper that can be changed. This would remove the ability to wake up the computer with the KB or mouse, but also solve your KVM problem. I checked that. There are no jumpers. I disabled all power management settings in the BIOS, including wakeup by keyboard. The keyboard lights always flash whenever they're plugged into the ps2 port. The electrician said it's a common motherbaord problem. He said it's because the motherboard puts the num lock on when the computer is off. I found an option in the BIOS to 'set numlock off at bootup' but still electricity comes out of that ps2 port - the keyboard lights flash. I'm going to try to get some results using the USB port instead. (Using a USB keyboard, and ps2-usb and usb-ps2 adaptors). My KVM is of course ps2 too. I found that plugging a usb keyb in there was ok (lights didn't flash).

i'll just add. besides the fact that it's a stupid motherboard for
letting electricity out the ps2 port, and a quailty motherboard
shouldn't do that. I have beeen told that there are also KVMs that
don't take power from ps2. makes are Cyclades, Raritan, Avocent.
Perhaps those KVMs that take power from ps2 are a bit stupid for doing
so.
So solutions to my KVM n motherboard prob include getting a better
motherboard or a 'better'/different kind of KVM.
i'll add that my stupid motherboard is now inexplicably dead. I shall
get decent Antec / PC Power and Cooling PSUs as suggested. Though this
particular paragraph is unrelated to the KVM prob. I won't be meddling
with the USB-PS2 adaptors now that my stupid mobo is dead. (unless
perhaps, my new mobo is equally stupid).