Auto Usb Switch

[apoyusiken]

I have a hub that i connect my periphereals to and i connect that hub to whichever pc i am using (i have 2) (also note that i plug in an ethernet cable too) now i have to manually connect it. i had a conversation with chatgpt and it said to get an auto switch which would basically detect which conncetion is alive and send the signals to that one. i searched a bit on the net but couldnt find it. what do you think about this? also i can use arduino or something too. 

[emosun]

called a kvm

[apoyusiken]

11 minutes ago, emosun said:

called a kvm

yea but afaik they are manual

[Skipple]

8 minutes ago, apoyusiken said:

yea but afaik they are manual

Wait you are looking for something that will auto-switch between devices depending on which one is... on? off? most recently powered on? I'm confused. 

A KVM typically is a simple button press that swaps between the devices. That's the best solution that exists that I'm aware of. 

[YoungBlade]

20 minutes ago, apoyusiken said:

yea but afaik they are manual

They can be automatic. The KVM built into my monitor will automatically switch inputs if it stops getting a signal from one of the computers.

 

You only need to use the switch if both computers are on at the same time.

[apoyusiken]

21 minutes ago, Skipple said:

Wait you are looking for something that will auto-switch between devices depending on which one is... on? off? most recently powered on? I'm confused. 

A KVM typically is a simple button press that swaps between the devices. That's the best solution that exists that I'm aware of. 

yea if i have to press a button might as well change the cables too

[apoyusiken]

10 minutes ago, YoungBlade said:

They can be automatic. The KVM built into my monitor will automatically switch inputs if it stops getting a signal from one of the computers.

 

You only need to use the switch if both computers are on at the same time.

yea but how can i plug my hub to 2 computers at the same time?

[YoungBlade]

2 minutes ago, apoyusiken said:

yea but how can i plug my hub to 2 computers at the same time?

You plug the hub into a USB port on the KVM. That's what I do with mine.

 

I have an additional monitor with a built-in USB hub that I plug my mouse, keyboard, and microphone into. I plug that into one of the two USB ports on the monitor with the KVM switch (I use its other USB port for my webcam).

 

Now, the KVM will let me swap the mouse, keyboard, mic, and webcam between the two computers.

[emosun]

7 minutes ago, apoyusiken said:

yea if i have to press a button might as well change the cables too

why do you use any of the light switches in your house then just unplug all the lamps

[CasualExtremist]

22 minutes ago, emosun said:

why do you use any of the light switches in your house then just unplug all the lamps

*proceeds to unplug "lamps" wired inside my wall*

[apoyusiken]

25 minutes ago, emosun said:

why do you use any of the light switches in your house then just unplug all the lamps

its about convenience 

[emosun]

1 minute ago, apoyusiken said:

its about convenience 

yeah so if a button is too difficult then unplug and move a bunch of cables right?

[apoyusiken]

10 minutes ago, emosun said:

yeah so if a button is too difficult then unplug and move a bunch of cables right?

the thing is all the periphereals are connected to the hub so i just need to reconnect one cable, if the switch is not automatic i dont think its worth getting

[OhioYJ]

1 hour ago, apoyusiken said:

the thing is all the periphereals are connected to the hub so i just need to reconnect one cable, if the switch is not automatic i dont think its worth getting

When was the last time you used a KVM? Most KVMs I've ever used do automatically switch to the active input. This can be funky if two or more PCs are on at the same time are on, however every KVM I've used also has shortcut keys that you can use. So if you don't want to hit the button on the KVM you can use a key combination, or hit scroll lock twice, etc to swap between inputs. 

 

Any of this must be easier than swapping around cables all the time. Much less, saving the wear and tear on the connectors which do have a limited life span. 

[manikyath]

so.. you want a device that automatically switches a USB connection between two computers depending on which one you're using... how would the device know which one you're using?

 

also, i have the distinct feeling we're talking about two laptops here, because sharing displays is not mentioned at all, and you mention swapping over an ethernet cable.

[thrasher_565]

32 minutes ago, manikyath said:

so.. you want a device that automatically switches a USB connection between two computers depending on which one you're using... how would the device know which one you're using?

 

also, i have the distinct feeling we're talking about two laptops here, because sharing displays is not mentioned at all, and you mention swapping over an ethernet cable.

it defaults back to port one if nothing. turn on pc 2 and it switch.

its doable but finding it the problem. i have an auto hdmi and rca switcher. most usb switchers use a button or macro thow

[apoyusiken]

46 minutes ago, OhioYJ said:

When was the last time you used a KVM? 

never

 

46 minutes ago, OhioYJ said:

Most KVMs I've ever used do automatically switch to the active input.

one will suffice then

40 minutes ago, manikyath said:

how would the device know which one you're using?

active voltage¿ (only one will be on at a time)

40 minutes ago, manikyath said:

also, i have the distinct feeling we're talking about two laptops here

desktop + handheld ( i connect it to monitors)

 

as @thrasher_565 mentioned, i just need an auto usb switch

[thrasher_565]

i think this can do auto scan but its costly and there a meh company...

 

 

[apoyusiken]

11 minutes ago, thrasher_565 said:

i think this can do auto scan but its costly and there a meh company...

 

 

looking for something super cheap

[thrasher_565]

14 minutes ago, apoyusiken said:

looking for something super cheap

gl

 

i guess the monitor thing is the best if your monitor has it thow...

 

there just the hdmi

 

there this one

 

$20 hdmi one...

 

posably?

 

3port hdmi

Edited July 9, 2025 by thrasher_565

[apoyusiken]

47 minutes ago, thrasher_565 said:

gl

 

i guess the monitor thing is the best if your monitor has it thow...

 

there just the hdmi

 

there this one

 

$20 hdmi one...

 

posably?

 

3port hdmi

well the monitor thing is super neat but obviously i dont have it. also i need usb not hdmi