GEM U S E ADDERView & I www.addertec.
GB USA Alternative language versions of this manual may be downloaded from: www.addertec.com Quick Installation and Operation Guide QUICK INSTALLATION Power off all your computers and connect them to the ORANGE ports on the rear of the AdderView GEM. Adder 3-in-1 keyboard/video/mouse combination cables are recommended for convenience. Suitable individual standard keyboard, video and mouse cables are also widely available.
D Komplette Handbuchversion Deutsche ist herunterladbar von: www.addertec.com Quick-Guide für Installation & Betrieb QUICK-INSTALLATION Schalten Sie alle Ihre Computer aus, und schließen Sie sie an die ORANGEFARBENEN Ports auf der Rückseite des AdderView GEM an. Wir empfehlen der Einfachheit halber die Verwendung der Adder 3-in-1 Tastatur/Video/Mauskabel, es sind in der Regel jedoch auch geeignete einzelne Standardmaus-, Video- und Tastaturkabel überall im Handel erhältlich.
E Guía rápida de instalación y funcionamiento INSTALACIÓN RÁPIDA Desconecte todos los ordenadores y conéctelos a los puertos NARANJA en la parte posterior del AdderView GEM. Para mayor comodidad se recomiendan cables combinados 3-en-1 teclado/vídeo/ratón. También están ampliamente disponibles cables individuales normales adecuados para el teclado, el vídeo y el ratón. Conecte el teclado, el monitor y el ratón al puerto GRIS en la parte posterior del AdderView.
F Téléchargez une version Français complète de ce manuel : www.addertec.com Guide d'installation rapide et mode d'emploi INSTALLATION RAPIDE Mettez tous vos ordinateurs hors tension et raccordez-les aux ports ORANGE à l'arrière d'AdderView GEM. Les câbles clavier/vidéo/souris Adder 3-in-1 sont recommandés pour des raisons pratiques. Des câbles clavier, vidéo et souris standard se trouvent également facilement sur le marché.
I Guida di installazione rapida e funzionamento INSTALLAZIONE RAPIDA Spegnere tutti i computer e collegarli alle porte ARANCIONI sul retro dell’AdderView GEM. Per facilità consigliamo i cavi Adder combinati 3-in-1 tastiera/video/mouse. Sono pure disponibili cavi mouse, video e tastiera standard individuali adatti. Collegare la tastiera, monitor e mouse alla porta GRIGIA sul retro dell’AdderView. SOMMARIO GUIDA OPERATIVA La configurazione di default dell’AdderView è adatta alla maggior parte dei sistemi.
AdderView GEM
About this manual AdderView GEM - Installation and Use Third edition (June 2001) (c) 2001 Adder Technology Ltd. Part No. ADD0037/3 www.addertec.com All rights reserved. Whilst every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, Adder Technology Ltd assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
Warranty Adder Technology Ltd warrants that this product shall be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of original purchase. If the product should fail to operate correctly in normal use during the warranty period, Adder will replace or repair it free of charge. No liability can be accepted for damage due to misuse or circumstances outside Adder’s control.
Radio Frequency Energy Shielded cables must be used with this equipment to maintain compliance with radio frequency energy emission regulations and ensure a suitably high level of immunity to electromagnetic disturbances. European EMC directive 89/336/EEC This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in the European standard EN55022.
Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................... 6 1.1 Key features ........................................................................................... 6 1.2 Package contents .................................................................................. 7 1.3 Remote controller contents .................................................................... 7 1.4 Product information ........................................................
4. AdderView GEM configuration options....................................... 27 4.1 Screen saver time delay ........................................................................ 27 4.2 Autoscan lock on mode and delay time ................................................ 27 4.3 Mouse mode and mouse switching of channels .................................... 28 4.4 Keyboard hotkey combination ............................................................... 29 4.
1. Introduction Thank you for purchasing the AdderView GEM. Your AdderView GEM is a high performance keyboard, monitor and mouse sharing device which supports a wide range of PC hardware and software platforms. 1.1 Key features Control multiple PCs from a single keyboard, monitor and mouse. Continuous keyboard and mouse emulation on all ports ensures problem free computer bootup. Interface powered operation – AdderView GEM draws its power from the connected computers for maximum convenience.
Can be controlled remotely via an RS232 serial port. Includes screen saver, auto-scan and variable hotkey options. Supports Microsoft IntelliMouse, IntelliMouse Explorer and other common wheel mice. Mouse restoration functions to enable ‘hot plugging’ of certain systems. Keyboard, mouse and AdderView GEM resets may be performed without disconnecting devices. Supports IBM ThinkPad ‘Y’ cables. Power and activity indication confirm correct operation.
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2. Installation 2.1 What you will need Cables to connect the AdderView GEM to each of your PC keyboard, video and mouse ports. Cable specifications are given in appendix A. (You do not need to connect a mouse cable if you are not using the mouse). A monitor with a standard VGA/SVGA (15 pin) connector that will work when connected directly to each of your PCs. AdderView GEM supports low and high resolution monitors. A standard AT or PS/2 style keyboard.
2.2 Mounting the AdderView GEM The AdderView GEM has been designed for use on a desktop or shelf in close proximity to the user’s monitor and peripherals. The optional remote controller may be used if you wish to locate the AdderView GEM on a desk or shelf that is some distance from the monitor and peripherals. 2.3 Connecting your devices Ensure that the optional power adapter is disconnected from the AdderView GEM and that all the devices which are to be attached are switched off.
2.4 ‘Interface powered’ operation without the optional power adapter The AdderView GEM draws its power from the connected computers via the keyboard cables. A single keyboard connection is normally sufficient to power the AdderView GEM provided that the cable is no longer than 5 metres. If more than one computer is connected then the power will be intelligently drawn from all computers.
To enter configure mode at power on: Switch off all the attached PCs and the AdderView GEM. Hold down the front panel key whilst powering on the AdderView GEM. Remember that the AdderView GEM draws its power from any attached PC via the keyboard cable and so will power itself on when the attached PC is switched on or when the optional power adapter is connected. Do not release the key until the AdderView GEM displays 'C' to show that it has entered configure mode.
L1 - AdderView GEM locks on to active ports only during autoscanning (default) L2 - AdderView GEM locks on to every port during autoscanning L3 - AdderView GEM powers on in autoscan mode and locks on to active ports only L4 - AdderView GEM powers on in autoscan mode and locks on to all ports L5 – Allow the mouse to run at any speed (default) L6 – Don't allow the mouse to run at very slow speeds L7 - Cascade query code = AD (default) L8 - Cascade query code = EF T1 - 2 seconds autoscan delay time before swit
H1 - Hotkey combination is CTRL + ALT + command key (default) H2 - Hotkey combination is CTRL + SHIFT + command key H3 - Hotkey combination is ALT + SHIFT + command key H4 - Hotkey combination is RIGHT ALT + command key H5 - Hotkey combination is LEFT ALT + RIGHT ALT + command key H6 - Hotkey combination is LEFT CTRL + LEFT ALT + command key H7 - Hotkey combination is RIGHT CTRL + RIGHT ALT + command key H8 - No hotkey combination enabled F1 - Display firmware first digit (Note: F1 is F followed by 1 NOT l)
2.9 Other useful installation information PC boot up sequence - When your PCs are powered on they communicate with any attached keyboards and mice and setup parameters required by the particular operating system. It is necessary for the AdderView GEM to be attached and powered on during this sequence so that it can give the required responses and keep track of all the modes and settings requested by each of the connected PCs.
Alternatively you can reset the keyboards and mice by holding down the front panel key for 5 seconds. When the character ‘C’ is displayed on the front of the AdderView GEM, press the front panel key again. A complete power off reset of the connected keyboards and mice will then be performed. This function only resets the shared keyboard and mice that are plugged into the control port. It does not affect the status of any of the other ports on the switch or the CPU connections. 2.
Type of mouse / system Connected at bootup Driver type Likely expected data format PS/2 PS/2 IntelliMouse / AdderView GEM IntelliMouse / AdderView GEM PS/2 only IntelliMouse PS/2 only IntelliMouse Suggested restoration PS/2 PS/2 PS/2 IntelliMouse F5 F5 F5 F6 To restore lost mouse movement on a CPU connected to the AdderView GEM: 1) Select the CPU that has lost its mouse movement 2) Press the select key on the front of the AdderView GEM for 5 seconds until ‘C’ is displayed.
To perform a firmware upgrade on your AdderView GEM you will need a suitable serial upgrade cable and an IBM PC compatible computer with an RS232 serial port and an operating system that supports DOS. Upgrade cables may be purchased for Adder Technology or may be made using the wiring specification given in Appendix A4. You will also need to download the latest version of the AdderView GEM firmware which is available free of charge at www.addertec.com.
Step 5 - Run the upgrade program The latest version of the AdderView GEM firmware is available from the Adder Technology website at www.addertec.com. The program and data files are supplied as a pair e.g. AVG129.EXE AVG129.HEX and should be downloaded to the same directory on your PC. Run the file AVGxxx.EXE (e.g. AVG129.EXE) and follow the on-screen instructions. During the upgrade the display will show an upper case U and the dot will flash to show that the upgrade is in progress.
3. Using the AdderView GEM This section explains the general operation of the AdderView GEM. We recommend that you read this section before starting to use the product. 3.1 Power on status At power on the AdderView GEM selects computer 1 and displays '1'. If a password has been set then ‘P’ will be displayed and the AdderView GEM will remain locked until a valid password is entered. 3.
particularly useful in applications where the AdderView GEM is located away from the desktop. The remote controller can be conveniently attached to your keyboard with a couple of Velcro strips to give instant channel information and key control. 3.3 Status display The status display usually shows the currently selected port. If autoscan mode is selected, the segments will illuminate in sequence in a clockwise direction interspersed with a display of the currently selected channel.
3.4 Keyboard hotkey control AdderView GEM can be conveniently controlled by selecting channel, autoscan mode or security locking from the keyboard. All of the hotkey control commands are invoked by holding down the two hotkeys and then pressing a command key. By default, the two hotkeys are ‘CTRL’ and ‘ALT’, although other combinations can be selected by reconfiguring the hotkeys (see section 4.4).
Examples of common hotkey sequences (assuming CTRL + ALT hotkey option): To select channel 2: press ba2 release 2ba To 'tab through' channels: press ba v release v press v release v press v release vba 3.5 Mouse control Computers may conveniently be selected using a three button mouse.
3.6 RS232 control AdderView GEM can be controlled by a remote RS232 device. To select a channel the data rate of the sending device must be set to 1200 baud, 8 bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. No handshaking is used by the AdderView GEM. Simply send the character for the channel which needs to be selected, for example ASCII ‘1’ (hex code 31) will select channel 1, ASCII ‘2’ (hex code 32) will select channel 2 and so on.
A typical cascade of two AdderView GEMs 3.8 Synchronising AdderView GEMs for multiple video head applications Multiple AdderViews may be connected together so that they operate in a synchronised manner. Synchronised operation is useful for applications that require multiple video signals to be switched together. This type of operation is usually required where each computer is fitted with multiple video cards or video cards with multiple video heads.
its serial interface. Consequently, by linking the serial interfaces a master unit may be made to automatically switch a daisy chain of slaved units as shown in the diagram below. The slave units will require the optional power adapters because they cannot draw their power from the video link alone.
4. AdderView GEM configuration options All the options described in this section are entered in AdderView GEM configure mode - see section 2.6 for instructions on entering configure mode. 4.1 Screen saver time delay AdderView GEM contains a programmable screen saver which will blank the display after the set time delay with no keyboard or mouse activity. Simply typing at the keyboard or moving the mouse will re-enable the display. The display will flash whilst the AdderView GEM is in screen save mode.
L1 - AdderView GEM only locks on to active ports during autoscanning (default) L2 - AdderView GEM locks on to every port in turn during autoscanning L3 - AdderView GEM powers on in autoscan mode and locks on to active ports only L4 - AdderView GEM powers on in autoscan mode and locks on to all ports T1 - 2 seconds autoscan delay time before switching to next port (default) T2 - 5 seconds autoscan delay time before switching to next port T3 - 7 seconds autoscan delay time before switching to next port T4 - 1
Examples are: Microsoft IntelliMouse Logitech Pilot Mouse + Logitech MouseMan+ Genius NetMouse Genius NetMouse Pro Standard PS/2 and IntelliMouse compatible mice can be connected to the control port. You may configure your CPUs using Microsoft PS/2 or IntelliMouse drivers in any combination as required. The IntelliMouse features are supported on both PS/2 and RS232 CPU connections.
suitable for extended keyboards where additional keys can be programmed to act as a combination of other keys. Such keyboards are supplied with many Gateway 2000 computers. Programming spare keys to trigger the hotkey combination allows channels to be selected via a single key stroke.
F1 - Display firmware first digit (Note: F1 is F followed by 1 NOT l) F2 - Display firmware second digit F3 - Display firmware third digit F5 - Restore PS/2 mouse function to the currently selected CPU’s mouse port F6 - Restore IntelliMouse function to the currently selected CPU’s mouse port F8 - Reset all configurations to factory default settings. An ‘r’ will show briefly on the display to confirm that the reset has been completed. 4.
4.8 Cascade query code The AdderView GEMs use a special ‘query code’ to detect whether or not they are connected to another AdderView GEM. By default your AdderView GEM uses query code AD. SmartView (another range of keyboard / mouse / video switches from Adder Technology) units with firmware versions less than 1.09 used query code EF. This was found to conflict with a small number of other (rare) devices that used the same query code so an alternative query code was provided to ensure compatibility.
4.10 Exit configure mode When you have finished configuring any special options, simply type ‘E’ followed by (return) to exit configure mode and return to normal operation mode. The attached computers can now be switched on.
Appendix A. Cable and connector specifications IMPORTANT NOTE The maximum cable lengths supported vary widely between devices and cables. It may be possible to use cables that are longer than those specified below with certain PCs and peripherals but this cannot be guaranteed. If you experience problems try using shorter cables. A1. Keyboard, monitor and mouse to AdderView GEM All of the shared devices plug directly into the relevant ports at the rear of the AdderView GEM.
wish to make use of the DDC (Display Data Channel) capabilities of the AdderView GEM then you will need to use cables that have the DDC signalling lines connected (pins 12 and 15 on the 15-way video connector). Not all video cables have these DDC lines connected. Keyboard and PS/2 mice - 6 pin mini-DIN male connector to 6 pin mini-DIN male connector with all lines connected straight through (1-1,2-2 etc.).
Recommended cables: 3-in-1 keyboard, video and mouse combination cable - For convenience, neatness and high video quality we recommend the Adder brand 3-in-1 combination cables. These cables are constructed with tri-coax video links to ensure that high video quality is maintained. They also support DDC signalling and are colour coded in PC99 specification colours for your convenience. These match the colours used on the back of your AdderView GEM and most modern PCs.
A.4 Flash upgrade cable connection The cable connections shown below are to connect either COM1 or COM2 of a PC to the AdderView GEM to allow flash upgrades. A.5 RS232 synchronisation cable pin assignments The cable connections shown below are to connect two AdderView GEMs together for synchronised operation (see section 3.
Appendix B. Problem Solving Problem: Poor video quality with smearing fuzziness or ripple. Action: Use screened coaxial video cables to connect your devices to the AdderView GEM. Problem: Mouse does not move cursor on screen. Action: Ensure that the mouse and computer are both connected to AdderView GEM before power is connected and ensure that the AdderView GEM is powered on before the attached computer.
ADDERView GEM I N S TA L L AT I O N & U S E ADDER Technology Limited Technology House Trafalgar Way Bar Hill Cambridge CB3 8SQ • England T: +44 (0) 1954 780044 F: +44 (0) 1954 780081 sales@addertec.com www.addertec.com AV-GEM-05.