PAAG-E3112B (1.4 Display Port KVM Switch - Single Monitor - Two Computer)
USB Interface (5-gigabit or 10-gigbit):
5gb
Problem:
Setup:
RealForce keyboard → HID USB input
Razer Deathadder V2 (yeah I know) → USB3 input
Windows 11 PC → DisplayPort → KVM (works)
Macbook Pro M3 → Dell Dock (AW-cU603 aka SD25TB4 aka Thunderbolt 4 dock) → DisplayPort → KVM
PC works with all indicated components.
Mac works with mouse, but does not recognize keyboard via HID. If I plug keyboard directly into dock, keyboard works (Keyboard Assistant shows “Topre” and maps correctly). If I plus keyboard into USB3 on KVM, it works (but no HID hotkeys). If I plug keyboard into HID on KVM, Macbook’s Keyboard Assistant shows (“Razer device” (??) and does not detect keys). I have rebooted the KVM and the laptop several times.
How do you have the dock connected to the KVM? There are usually some dedicated downstream ports. Macs can struggle with “USB hub depth” errors if chained together too much.
I tried to keep the dock as simple as possible: The built-in Thunderbolt cable into the laptop, then a DisplayPort cable (from KVM 1) into the dock, a USB A/B cable (from KVM1) into one of the “USB (10)” ports on the dock. Then the dock’s power adapter. That’s it.
Anything I should try? I would love to try bypassing the dock, but I don’t own a thunderbolt-to-DisplayPort cable or adapter (or, for that matter, thunderbolt-to-USB-B), and I’m loathe to buy them if I’m not going to need them. Are there any additional steps necessary to pass the HID signal through the dock (which is supposedly supportive of HID)?
I’d try to plug the kvm into a downstream thunderbolt port first in case its the hub depth thing.
the keyboard may be auto-detecting mac. if your keyboard requires software its important that NOT be installed on the mac as it can throw the keyboard out of hid mode.
is there a keyboard shortcut to disable nkey rollover?
Woo - getting a little out of my depth there. 1) “Plug the kvm into a downstream thunderbolt port first” - so I pick a thunderbolt port on the dock, plus a USB-C cable into it, and plug the other end into… where? The USB3 on the KVM? One of the HIDs? Does it matter if the cable is technically a Thunderbolt cable or not? 2) The keyboard is a Topre Realforce R3S, I’m not aware of it needing any software. I did plug it directly into the dock, as mentioned above, so I know the keyboard works with the Mac, which DID auto-detect it (Keyboard Assistant) 3) I don’t see anything in the manual about disabling nkr.
Hm it very well could be an nkro thing. Nkro does not like to work with HID…
Edit: After a quick google I see:
RealForce R2 Series: These often require a specific key combination, typically holding Fn + Home (or a similar key labeled with a “6” or “N”) to toggle between 6KRO and NKRO mode.
Dip Switches: Check the back of the keyboard for DIP switches. Some RealForce models use these to toggle NKRO.
You might check these and try the HID ports again
I’m not leaning toward the nkro issuet though because the Windows PC is fine.
I suppose you could try plugging the kvm into another usb port not on the dock – directly into the mac – to see if that lets the keyboard work. if it does work then the kvm should work if it is plugged in via a thunderbolt port on the dock. it would be in lieu of how you have it connected now.
you’d need a C to B usb3 cable or a C to A USB3 dongle then A to B USB3 cable
direct to mac you probably need a C to A dongle then re-use the A to B cable you’re probably already using with the kvm
Ah! I used a dongle to go USB B (kvm) direct to Mac (USB A → A/C dongle) and it works with HID. I then tried connecting that same dongle into the thunderbolt port on the KVM, and it worked as well. I will need to order some new USB cables. Thanks!
@Level1_Amber a secondary issue I’ve noticed now that the keyboard is working via HID: I have the aforementioned Razer Deathadder V2 mouse plugged into the USB3 (not HID!) port on the KVM. About 10% of the time when I toggle the KVM to the Mac, I can see the mouse’s LED light up briefly and then go dark, and the mouse doesn’t work. I tried [L-Ctrl + L-Ctrl + U] to force it to follow, but it doesn’t do anything. I also tried toggling USB3 follow on/off several times. I also tried using the other USB3 port. I read the FAQ about this specific mouse, and I have power cycled the KVM several times since I started plugging it into the USB3 port. Anything else I can try? (note: I have NOT installed any software specific to this mouse on the Mac.)
Hmm a Razer peripheral not working correctly is pretty standard regarding the KVMs, unfortunately. Software only messes up HID I believe since HID is a driverless dtandard, so you’re free try the Razer software on the Mac + blue USB port. This might be beneficial so it gets any firmware updates available.
@Level1_Amber I have a ~5 foot run from the monitor to the KVM, then a ~3 foot run from the KVM to the PC. I’m currently driving 1440p at 144Hz, but could go up to 4K in the forseeable future. I’m not sure if I need DP80, and I saw that L1 recommends the DP40 fiber FIBBR cables. Am I good with 2x 5-ft DP40 fibers ($50), or is it worth the upgrade to use 2x 5-ft DP80 copper cables ($120), especially considering that’s now a 10-foot copper run?
Gotcha, I don’t think there’s any harm in upgrading to fiberoptic cabling. The reason we were recommending the DP40 is because all of our DP KVMs are currently DisplayPort 1.4 or 1.2. The high speed fiber optic you listed are DisplayPort 2.1. You can certainly upgrade, but if not, you will probably be ok.
Update for posterity: I tried the Razer software, and I tried updating the firmware (already at latest), and I’ve now had the Razer fail to wake up after switching the KVM in BOTH directions (PC → Mac and Mac → PC), and I even had it fail to wake up twice in a row! (PC → Mac (no mouse) → PC (no mouse) → Mac (mouse)) I am now officially in the market for a Logitech mouse.
@Level1_Amber I plugged in a little travel mouse to the HID port. I can tell it’s maintaining its connection between KVM swaps, because the LED stays lit. The Razer (in the USB3 port of course) always goes dark for a few seconds while KVM swapping. The Razer issue, when it occurs, is that it doesn’t light back up (and is non-functional). I can tell this little HID-friendly mouse isn’t doing that, but I’ve only used it for a few minutes.