hello picsters,
i got an idea for a project!
and it is something im sure all of us could use...
because i know im not the only one with multiple computers. so here it
is:
computer keyboard splitter boxes come in two basic varietys:
 1. you got youre basic two-way or sometimes you can find a four-way
box, with a rotary switch, and maybe a reset button if somebody was
thinking (cost: about $50)
 2. you have the expensive digital ones, with anywhere from 8 to 20
ports, and they usually have special bulkheads you have to buy also.
(cost $200-400, plus bulkheads)
 so i got to think the other night, my computers were all on, and my NT
server kept timing out on the key port, and then i have to hit the
reset switch on the box...then sometimes it works, frees up the mouse,
and i can work on several computers at once, but sometimes it doesnt
work though...the serial mouse, usually comes up, so then i can click
"shutdown" or "restart" and then whats the point?
 so i got to looking at the digital boxes, and said those famous last
words when i saw the price tag $299?!?!? SHIT, I CAN BUILD IT FOR
LESS?!?!?!
so here i am, thinking of all the threads ive seen lately about rs-232
and the pic, or the parallel port and the pic...
 so i think you all can see where im going with this...
i want to scrap that switch box, maybe use the connectors for this
project, and make a pic controlled switch box.
now the keyport, of every computer is always looking to see if the
keyboard is present, how im not certain, but im sure with a scope or
logic analyzer, i can find out.
but my theory is the 5 volt side, is sending a signal trying to get the
"ack" signal back, or maybe its simply being held high by a simple
ls74xx chip. the 12 volt is most likely just a power supply to the
processor in the keyboard. the mouse rather simple also, as it has only
three wires...
from there i think its simply a matter of mimicing the signals that are
sent to them, and sending a "ack" right back, as the port is idle
so that as a port has been "switched" to another output (another
computer) the computer thinks its still there. the video, i wont mess
with, as i have more monitors than i know what to do with, second of
all, as the one computer is thinking, and another is doing something
else...i can work on another till the video tells me that its done with
its task.
so, any ideas, advice, etc... let me know!
thanks desade
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