Author Topic: Unique USB Splitter  (Read 14049 times)

jiroband

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2
Unique USB Splitter
« on: October 17, 2012, 01:17:39 pm »
I am a lay person who knows relatively little about USB, so I must apologize for wasting your valuable time, as I'm certain my question is far beneath the intellectual scope of this forum. Nontheless, I am hoping that someone can provide a link, or direction for me as I have been searching for a product which appears to not exist.  I have been searching for a USB splitter or device that will allow me to share a usb mouse or keyboard between two computers.  I know that there are KVM switches and also software solutions that will allow you to share the mouse, keyboard, and monitor between two computers running simultaneously -- but that is not what I am looking for -- as I will NOT be operating both computers at the same time. Only one computer will be on at a time.  I've even tried to make my own solution by combining usb splitters with gender changers in order to connect these things together -- which did not work. (I can hear you laughing!)  I discovered the issue of upsteam vs. downstream.  Are there any other issues that would make this an impossibility?

Does such a device exist?  Can I make my own splitter by cannibalizing two usb cables, stripping the wires, and connecting two male ends by joining the matching colored wire pairs? (I think I hear laughter again.) If something as I've described does not exist, is there a way to make something that will function in this way?

Thanks for your consideration!

Jan Axelson

  • Administrator
  • Frequent Contributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 3033
    • Lakeview Research
Re: Unique USB Splitter
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2012, 03:40:44 pm »
Wouldn't a KVM switch work for this, selecting whichever PC was on?

 

jiroband

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2
Re: Unique USB Splitter
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2012, 04:29:00 pm »
Yes, a KVM switch would work, but it just seems to be overkill.  I was hoping for a simpler solution, but it seems that a KVM is really my only option.  Thank you so much for your reply!

Jan Axelson

  • Administrator
  • Frequent Contributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 3033
    • Lakeview Research
Re: Unique USB Splitter
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2012, 05:52:42 pm »
I think it's what you need. A simple cable won't work. That's why you don't see them.