Unreliable Mouse jumps when using a KVM switch in Linux

Posted by Vivek Gite [Last updated: May 2, 2006]

Q. I am using a KVM switch (that connects two or more computers to the same keyboard, mouse, and monitor) to connect Linux box but mouse gives the worst user experience. How do I solve this problem?

A. You need to setup PS2 mouse protocol extension correctly. This can be done by passing boot time parameter to Linux kernel. Just append following parameter to kernel:
psmouse.proto=imps

Above parameter will set highest PS2 mouse protocol extension to imps. This should solve erratic jumps of the mouse cursor while using a KVM switch.

You need to edit grub.conf file and append above line:

# vi /boot/grub/grub.conf

# vi /boot/grub/menu.lst

Append line so that it read as follows:

kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15.4 root=/dev/hdb1 ro psmouse.proto=imps

Save the file.

Reboot system to test new configuration.