Question KVM switch doesn't display an image.

[Arturas Kulickis]

Hello all,

I’ve already posted this on reddit but thought I'd post it here since tom's is way more reliable I find. I hope displays is also the right place for this question 😛

I'm trying to connect a Fujitsu FD-1008AT to my server but l am having some issues. Mainly whenever I power on the KVM it doesn't actually display an image. It only says "No Sync Signal See User's Manual".
I've tried changing which port the server is plugged into and the classic turning it on and off again to no avail.

Weirdly enough the User's Manual doesn't actually contain anything of use for a "No Sync Signal" error. It does have a section that talks about something similar to the issue, but it isn't accurate to what I am experiencing.

I’ve also confirmed that the KVM’s monitor works perfectly and that all the cables in the equation are working as expected.

I know this is an extremely specific question, but I can’t find any other help online. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[Ralston18]

This switch?

https://www.fujitsu.com/downloads/COMP/fel/support/kvm/manuals/consoledrawer8_16_port.pdf

Only one KVM correct?

How are the connections being made?

Check physically numbered Page 15.

Hopefully just a misconnection.

 

[Arturas Kulickis]

This switch?

https://www.fujitsu.com/downloads/COMP/fel/support/kvm/manuals/consoledrawer8_16_port.pdf

Only one KVM correct?

How are the connections being made?

Check physically numbered Page 15.

Hopefully just a misconnection.

That's the switch yeah. It's only 1 KVM and I have connected it as show in the manual.
The only difference is I am using a VGA+USB cable rather than a VGA+PS/2 cable that would've been around.

Cheers

 

[Ralston18]

Any adapters?

Check and compare the USB and PS/2 cable pinouts.

No sync perhaps being a missing "clock".

Maybe a proprietary cable....

 

[Arturas Kulickis]

Any adapters?

Check and compare the USB and PS/2 cable pinouts.

No sync perhaps being a missing "clock".

Maybe a proprietary cable....

I've ordered both a VGA+PS/2 cable and a PS/2 to USB adapter to do more testing, which should get here tomorrow.
I might also try fiddle around with display and BIOS settings on the server to see if maybe there's an issue there.
I'll reply with an update with the results.

Thank you for all the help

 

[COLGeek]

The only difference is I am using a VGA+USB cable rather than a VGA+PS/2 cable that would've been around.

This is likely the root of the problem.

Are you using any VGA adapters to connect monitors/displays?

 

[Arturas Kulickis]

This is likely the root of the problem.

Are you using any VGA adapters to connect monitors/displays?

No adapters, I'm using the VGA ports on the back of the switch and on the back of my motherboard.

Cheers

 

[COLGeek]

No adapters, I'm using the VGA ports on the back of the switch and on the back of my motherboard.

Cheers

And you are certain that the VGA port on the computer works?

 

[Arturas Kulickis]

And you are certain that the VGA port on the computer works?

Positive, outputs just fine to monitors

 

[COLGeek]

At this point, do you only have the single system attached to the KVM, or multiple systems?

 

[Arturas Kulickis]

At this point, do you only have the single system attached to the KVM, or multiple systems?

Only the 1 system

 

[COLGeek]

Only the 1 system

Understood. I was just reading through the manual and kept coming across the term "special cable".

Combine that with what you said earlier "The only difference is I am using a VGA+USB cable rather than a VGA+PS/2 cable that would've been around", and it would seem to identify the problem. Are you using these so-called special cables or just standard VGA cables.

 

[Arturas Kulickis]

Understood. I was just reading through the manual and kept coming across the term "special cable".

Combine that with what you said earlier "The only difference is I am using a VGA+USB cable rather than a VGA+PS/2 cable that would've been around", and it would seem to identify the problem. Are you using these so-called special cables or just standard VGA cables.

That struck me as odd too, and might be something only Fujitsu knows the definitive answer to. I might email them about this if I'm unable to solve the issue.

I'm using a generic VGA+USB to VGA cable I got off Amazon, which is what I assumed the special cable would be. In hindsight, it might've be better to get a VGA+PS/2 to VGA cable, as that would've been more common in 2003 when this KVM was released. My motherboard doesn't have PS/2 ports so I had hoped the USB one would work.

As I said in a reply to another user, I've ordered a VGA+PS/2 to VGA cable and a PS/2 to USB adapter to do more testing.
I've managed to dig up a PC with both a VGA port and PS/2 ports from my hoard which I'll use for testing tomorrow.

 

[Ralston18]

FYI:

https://pinoutguide.com/InputCables/PS2Mouse_pinout.shtml

Pin 5

From the link:

"Clock
This signal is sent from the mouse or keyboard to synchronise the data signal."

No pin 5 connection then "no sync" is my thought.

 

[Arturas Kulickis]

So after the parts arrived I conducted some testing.

First result is: I managed to get a display signal!
After a lot of tweaking around with settings I eventually decided to try to reinstall the graphics driver, which worked a charm. I don't know why it had an issue since it was previously installed without error.

Second result: The keyboard and trackpad doesn't input anything into the PC.
I've switched to using the VGA+PS/2 cable, which has the same result as the VGA+USB cable. The VGA part works perfectly, but the peripherals don't input anything despite working perfectly for switching KVMs.

This leads me to the conclusion that maybe there are proprietary cables that must be used with the switch or potentially it might only work with Fujitsu systems. I've already contacted Fujitsu to see if they can offer any support.

Of course if anyone has any more suggestions I'm happy to try.

Many thanks