Dakota VISTA NATIVE - Owner's manual

TM
V
istaNATIVE
NATIVENATIVE
NATIVE PERSONAL KEYBOARD-MONITOR-MOUSE SWITCH
811 W. Evergreen Ave !
!!
!Suite 302A, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: [phone] !
!!
!
www.daxten.com
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
MANUAL

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
LIMITED WARRANTY
Daxten warrants the Vista™ to be in good working order for one year from the date of
purchase from Dakota Computer Solutions or an authorized dealer. Should this product fail to be in good working
order at any time during this one-year warranty period, Dakota Computer Solutions will, at its option, repair or
replace the Unit as set forth below. Repair parts and replacement units will be either reconditioned or new. All
replaced parts become the property of Dakota Computer Solutions. This limited warranty does not include service
to repair damage to the Unit resulting from accident, disaster, abuse, or unauthorized modification of the Unit,
including static discharge and power surges.
Limited Warranty service may be obtained by delivering this unit during the one-year warranty period to Daxten
or an authorized repair center providing a proof of purchase date. You agree to insure the Unit
or assume the risk of loss or damage in transit, to prepay shipping charges to the warranty service location, and to
use the original shipping container or its equivalent. You must call for a return authorization number first. Under no
circumstances will a unit be accepted without a return authorization number. Contact an authorized repair center
or Dakota Computer Solutions for further information
ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES FOR THIS PRODUCT INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO A
PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, AND NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, WILL APPLY AFTER THIS PERIOD. SOME COUNTRIES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON
HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
IF THIS PRODUCT IS NOT IN GOOD WORKING ORDER AS WARRANTED ABOVE, YOUR SOLE REMEDY
SHALL BE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR AS PROVIDED ABOVE. IN NO EVENT WILL DAKOTA COMPUTER
SOLUTIONS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR
OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR THE INABILITY
TO USE SUCH PRODUCT, EVEN IF DAKOTA COMPUTER SOLUTIONS OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY.
© Copyright 2000. All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed in any form or any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without the prior written permission of Dakota
Computer Solutions.
IBM®AT, and PS/2 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.
Microsoft®, Microsoft Windows™, Microsoft Intellimouse™are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
Multisync is a trademark of NEC Technologies, Inc.
Printed in the USA Revision 1.02 Manual Part No. 8017-01
NOTE: This equipment complies with the requirements of European EMC directive 89/336 EEC in respect of EN55022
Class B, EN 50082-1 and EN 60555-2.
This equipment has been found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in
a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation
of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to
correct the interference at his own expense.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
Features 1
GETTING STARTED 2
Vista models 2
Package contents 2
Locating the unit 2
Cable requirements 2
VISTA HARDWARE 4
The front panel 4
The rear panel, models 1018-04, 1017-08, 1018-08 5
Installation 6
Step 1. Connecting the monitor, keyboard, and mouse 6
Step 2. Connecting the CPUs 6
Step 3. Powering up the system 7
Step 4. Switching from the keyboard 7
Operation 8
Keyboard computer selection 8
Going to the next or previous computer 8
Scan mode commands 8
Scan time interval command 9
Mode command 9
Typematic value command 10
Maximum computers command 11
PS/2 to serial mouse translation, wheel mouse 11
Null command 11
Keep command 12
ROM Identification command 12
Reset command 12
Reset computer mouse command 12
Reset to factory default 13
Rackmount kit 13
Keyboard command summary 14
Appendix A. Factory default settings 16
Appendix B. General Specifications 16
Appendix C. Cables and accessories 17

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
FIGURES, TABLES AND APPENDICES
Figure 1. Vista Cables......................................................................................... 3
Figure 2. Vista 4 port front panel, model 1018-04 ............................................... 4
Figure 3. Vista 8 port front panel, model 1017-08, 1018-08 ................................ 4
Figure 4. Vista rear panel, Model 1018-04 .......................................................... 5
Figure 5. Vista rear panel, model KVL-8PC......................................................... 5
Figure 6. Keyboard command summary............................................................ 14
Table 1. Standard Vista Models ......................................................................... 2
Table 2. The front panel ...................................................................................... 4
Table 3. The rear panel, models 1017-08, 1018-04, 1018-08.............................. 5
Table 4. Typematic rate..................................................................................... 10
Table 5. Typmatic delay .................................................................................... 10
Appendix A. Factory default settings ................................................................ 16
Appendix B. General Specifications ................................................................. 16
Appendix C. Cables and accessories............................................................... 17

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 1
Thank you for choosing Vista. Designed for plug-and-play operation, your new Vista switch
simplifies your job by helping you organize your multiple computer applications. Because Vista lets
you use a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse to access several computers, you can significantly
reduce your equipment overhead and end keyboard and monitor clutter.
Features
•Access either 4 or 8 computers with one keyboard, monitor, and mouse
•Low cost and easy to use
•Saves physical space, equipment and power costs, reduces clutter
•Select computer from keyboard command or front panel
•Simple to use keystrokes switch computers for fast and easy control
•Use front panel to switch to any computer
•Front panel LEDs show computer, keyboard, and mouse status
•Uses computer's power - no external power required
•Monitor, keyboard, and mouse plug directly into unit
•Computer ports are DB25 connectors or PC-style connectors
•Scan mode automatically sequences through CPUs at adjustable rate
•Non-volatile memory stores configuration settings
•Heavy-duty steel, fully shielded chassis
•Rackmount option for 19", 23", or 24" racks
•Comes with a one-year warranty and unlimited technical support
•Made in USA
KEYBOARD AND MOUSE
•Full emulation of keyboard and mouse, computers can be booted at any time
•Support PS/2 mouse with or without wheel
•Simultaneously supports CPUs with either PS/2 (regular or wheel) or serial mouse
•Keyboard Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock states automatically saved and restored when
switching among CPUs
•Keyboard mode automatically detected for simultaneous support of PCs, Unix computers, and
IBM mode 1 computers
FRONT PANEL
•Switch to any computer from front panel
•Front panel LEDs show which computer is selected and powered on
•Activity LED shows CPU power-on and keyboard and mouse data
•Reset switch reinitializes all devices
VIDEO
•Video resolution supports up to 1600 x 1280 non-interlaced video
•Uses amplifiers for crystal clear video and increased distance
INTRODUCTION

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
2
To acquaint you with your Vista unit, this manual first describes Vista's front and rear panels. Then
follow the installation on page 8, which is a simple step by step description of plugging the cables in
and accessing the computers.
Vista models
This manual describes several different models of Vista, see Table 1 below. The features and
commands are similar for the different models. Please disregard the diagrams and text that do not
apply to your model. The models available are:
Model Computers On-Screen Display
1017-08 8 PCs No
1018-04 4 PCs Yes
1018-08 8 PCs Yes
Table 1. Standard Vista Models
Package contents
Your Vista package includes the Vista unit, your warranty registration card, and this manual.
Locating the unit
The Vista unit is best located as close to the CPUs as possible. This will reduce the length of the
CPU cables and provide a more cost-effective and neater installation. Vista can also be used with
the optional rackmount kit. While usage of Vista is trouble-free and transparent and need not be in
an accessible location, you may wish to access the front panel in order to see the activity, power, or
select LEDs or to switch to a computer from the front panel switches.
Cable requirements
Vista connects to each computer with various cables, depending on which model and computer type,
see Figure 1 on the next page for the different cable types. You plug the keyboard, monitor, and
mouse directly into Vista. The cables are most commonly purchased with Vista and will provide quick
and trouble-free operation.
GETTING STARTED

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 3
To VGA video card
To PC with MiniDin6
PS/2 mouse
To PC with MiniDin6
PS/2 keyboard
Cable from Vista with DB25 connections
to PC with PS/2 connections.
Part Numbers:
2064-02D (6ft)
2064-03D (10ft)
To Vista Adapts PS/2 cable
set to AT/Serial
computers
Most installations use cable no longer than 20 feet in length. Cable length will affect the quality of the
video, depending upon which resolution you will be using. You can improve the video resolution and
distance by ordering coax cables, see Figure 1 and Appendix C for the part number of the cable.
Figure 1. Vista Cables
Cables for use with Vista Native
Cables for use with special models that have DB25 connectors
Adapts PS/2 cable
set to AT/Serial
computers
To Vista To VGA video card
To PC with MiniDin6
PS/2 mouse
Cable from Vista Native to PC
with PS/2 connections. This is
the most common type of Vista
Part Numbers:
2085-02P (6ft)
2085-03P (10ft)
To PC with MiniDin6
PS/2 keyboard

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
4
The front panel
The Vista front panel features five switches and nine LED indicators (4 port model) or nine switches
and seventeen LED indicators (8 port model). To familiarize yourself with Vista's controls and
indicators, review the illustration and descriptions given below.
Figure 2. Vista 4 port front panel, model 1018-04
Figure 3. Vista 8 port front panel, model 1017-08, 1018-08
Table 2. The front panel
ACT
ACTIVITY LED The activity LED is lit when the currently selected CPU has power
applied to it. It will flash as keyboard and mouse data is sent to the unit.
Since power from Vista comes from the computers, you must have at
least one computer connected.
POWER LEDS
1-4 or 1-8 Indicates which computers are powered on.
SELECT LEDS
1-4 OR 1-8 Indicates which computer is currently selected
RESET SWITCH Resets the unit and initializes the keyboard and mouse, also used to
reset the unit to factory default settings.
SWITCH
1-4 or 4-8 Selects the computer to connect to the keyboard, mouse and monitor
VISTA HARDWARE

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 5
The rear panel, models 1018-04, 1017-08, 1018-08
Figure 4. Vista rear panel, Model 1018-04
Figure 5. Vista rear panel, model KVL-8PC
Table 3. The rear panel, models 1017-08, 1018-04, 1018-08
Panel Label Connector Description
"!"
#!"
$!"
%!"
HD15 female
Mini-din-6 female
Mini-din-6 female
This is where you plug in your computers using straight-
through male to male cables. Use adapter 2085-00S to
convert from mini-din6 to din-5 and mini-din6 to DB9
serial.
VGA Monitor HD15 female Connect the VGA monitor directly to this
connector.
PS/2 Mouse Mini-din-6 female Connect the PS/2 mouse directly to this
connector.
PS/2 Keyboard Mini-din-6 female Connect the PS/2 keyboard directly to this
connector.
!
"

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
6
Step 1. Connecting the monitor, keyboard, and mouse
1.1 Plug the monitor, keyboard, and mouse cables from your controlling keyboard, monitor and
mouse directly into the unit.
Step 2. Connecting the CPUs
CPU cables connect your computers to the Vista. Each computer requires its own cables, with
appropriate connectors for your particular CPU. CPU cables are available from your Dakota dealer
or directly from Dakota Computer Solutions. Refer to Figure 1 on page 3 for selecting the proper
cable.
For Vista Native models with PC connectors:
2.1 Plug the HD15 male-male cable from the video card into one of the numbered HD15 female
connectors on the Vista rear panel.
2.2 Plug the mini-din-6 male-male cable from the computer keyboard port into one of one of the
numbered mini-din-6 female connectors with a keyboard symbol on the Vista rear panel. If your
computer has a din-5 keyboard port use the mini-din-6 female to din-5 male adapter. Be sure
you are keeping the keyboard, mouse and monitor connections for each computer on the same
port. Ensure that you do not mix up the keyboard and mouse cables as they can look identical
on first glance.
2.3 Plug the mini-din-6 male-male cable from the computer mouse port into one of one of the
numbered mini-din-6 female connectors with a mouse symbol on the Vista rear panel. If your
computer is configured to use a serial port for the mouse, use the mini-din-6 female to DB9
female adapter, code 2085-00S.
Warning: Do not substitute with a non-Dakota mouse adapter. There is a difference.
Damage may occur if you use a third-party adapter!
For Vista special models with DB25 connectors:
2.1 Plug the DB25 male connector of the CPU adapter cable into one of the numbered CPU ports
on the Vista rear panel.
2.2 Plug the CPU adapter cable's monitor, keyboard, and mouse connectors into the CPU's
corresponding ports.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: Avoid routing cable near fluorescent lights, air conditioning
compressors, or machines that may create electrical noise. For best quality
video, use triple shielded coax (high-resolution) cable. Read Appendix A, B,
and C for further cable information.

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 7
Step 3. Powering up the system
3.1 Boot up each of the connected CPUs. Vista emulates all keyboard and mouse functions for
automatic boot-up. You do not have to re-boot the CPU, if it is inconvenient. In this case you may
need to issue the mode command, see page 11, to have proper keyboard communication.
Step 4. Switching from the keyboard
Your Vista is now ready for operation using its default settings. Pressing the numbered switch on the
front panel will switch to that computer. To take full advantage of the Vista features, refer to the
Operation section beginning on page 10. The Operation section gives detailed information about
each of the Vista commands, describing its application and giving the keyboard command sequence.
For your convenience, this information is summarized in the Keyboard command summary on page
16. To begin switching immediately from the keyboard follow the instructions below.
4.1 Press and release your keyboard's left Control Key (<Ctrl>), then type in the computer
number 1-8.
NOTE: Before entering any Vista keyboard command, you must press and release the
left Control Key. This instructs Vista to look for valid commands from the keyboard.
You then have two seconds in which to start entering a valid command before the
command mode is released.
NOTE: When entering numeric commands, use only the numeral keys located at the
top of your alphanumeric keyboard. Numbers entered from the numeric keypad to the
right will not be recognized as valid commands.

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
8
Vista is simple to operate. Computer selection and function commands are entered from the
keyboard. You can also select computers manually from the Vista's front panel by using switches 1-
8. This section details each Vista function.
Keyboard computer selection
To select a computer from your keyboard, press and release your keyboard's left Control Key
(<Ctrl>), then type in the computer number. Remember to use the numbers located at the top of
your keyboard. Do not use the numeric keypad.
Going to the next or previous computer
From the keyboard you can toggle forward or backward through the computers by selecting either the
Next or Previous computer. To go to the Next computer, press and release the left Control Key
<Ctrl>, then press the "+/=" (plus) key. To go to the Previous computer, press and release <Ctrl>,
then press the (minus) key. The command is not case sensitive. Use the keys at the top of your
keyboard, not those on the numeric pad.
Scan mode commands
To enable scanning from the keyboard, press and release the left Control Key (<Ctrl>), then type
"S". Vista will begin scanning sequentially from its current computer through the remaining
computers (as set by the maximum computers command, page 13), then begin again at computer 1.
The time between switching to the next computer is the scan time interval and is programmable from
1-15 seconds. To stop scanning, press and release <Ctrl>, then type "X". Entering a computer
selection command also disables scanning. The power-on state of scanning can be saved in
nonvolatile memory. To do this set the scan state and follow with the Keep command.
OPERATION
IMPORTANT OPERATION NOTE: To send Vista keyboard commands, you must
first press and release the left Control Key (<Ctrl>). Pressing and releasing <Ctrl>
instructs Vista to look for valid commands from the keyboard. You have two
seconds between each keystroke to enter a valid command; otherwise Vista aborts
the command.
NOTE: When entering numeric commands, use only the numeric keys located at
the top of your keyboard. Numbers entered from the numeric keypad to the right will
not be recognized as valid commands.
NOTE: Vista commands ignore case. All command letters are shown capitalized for
clarity only.

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 9
Scan time interval command
The scan time interval command sets the time, in seconds, that Vista will pause at each of the
computers when scanning. The default setting is 5 seconds. To set another interval, press and
release the left Control Key, type "T", enter the new scan time interval (in seconds), and press
<Enter>. Remember to use the upper numeric keys, not the numeric keypad to the right. Follow with
the Keep command to save the setting.
Mode command
Vista supports PC keyboard modes 1, 2, and 3. The keyboard mode is set by commands from the
CPU. Mode 2 is the most common mode used by the vast majority of CPUs. It is also the power-up
state of all PC keyboards. Mode 1 is used primarily by certain models of IBM PS/2 computers. Mode
3 is used by Unix computers such as R/S 6000, HP 9000, SGI, DEC Alpha, and others.
Vista automatically detects each PC's keyboard mode upon CPU boot-up, and thus learns which
CPU uses which mode. If the CPU has already booted and is then connected, Vista cannot detect
the CPU's keyboard mode and uses the setting stored in the Vista's non-volatile memory. The mode
command can be issued to change the keyboard mode for each computer and can be saved in non-
volatile memory with the Keep command.
To issue the Mode command, press and release the left Control Key, type "M", and enter the mode
number "1 ","2",or "3", followed by <Enter>. Remember to use the alphanumeric keys, not the
numeric keypad, to enter the mode number. Follow with the Keep command. The mode is changed
on your currently selected computer. To change the mode on another computer, you must first
switch to that computer and then issue the mode command.

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
10
Typematic value command
The typematic setting is used to adjust the user preference of the way the keyboard acts when
holding a key down to repeat the key, such as when moving a cursor across a line. The rate is the
speed at which the keys are sent in keys/second. The delay is the wait time in milliseconds after the
key is initially pressed, before additional keystrokes are sent. To issue the command press and
release the left Control key, then type "A", then enter the 1-3 digit decimal typematic value followed
by <Enter>. The typematic value is defined below. Use the keep command to save the value.
The typematic value to be used is determined from the following tables using the equation:
Typematic Value = Rate value + Delay Value. Pick the desired rate in keys/sec. (32 choices) and
delay in milliseconds (4 choices) from the tables below. Add the values to the right of the desired
settings. For example to use a Rate of 16.0 keys/sec. and a 500 millisecond delay, the typematic
value = 7 + 32 = 39, so to set this value, type <Ctrl> A 39 <Enter>.
Table 4. Typematic rate
Rate
Keys/sec
Rate
Value
Rate
Keys/sec
Rate
Value
Rate
Keys/sec
Rate
Value
Rate
Keys/sec
Rate
Value
30.0 0 15.0 8 7.5 16 3.7 24
26.7 1 13.3 9 6.7 17 3.3 25
24.0 2 12.0 10 6.0 18 3.0 26
21.8 3 10.9 11 5.5 19 2.7 27
20.0 4 10.0 12 5.0 20 2.5 28
18.5 5 9.2 13 4.6 21 2.3 29
17.1 6 8.6 14 4.3 22 2.1 30
16.0 7 8.0 15 4.0 23 2.0 31
Table 5. Typematic delay
Delay in
millisec.
Delay
value
Delay in
millisec.
Delay
value
Delay in
millisec.
Delay
value
Delay in
millisec.
Delay
value
250 0 500 32 750 64 1000 96

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 11
Maximum computers command
This command tells the Vista system the total number of computers connected. It is used so that
computer scanning can bypass unused ports on the unit. For example with an eight-port unit if no
computers were connected to ports 7 and 8 you could scan computers 1-6 and bypass 7 and 8. To
issue the command press and release the left Control Key, type "P",enter the total number of
computers, and press <Enter>. Follow with the Keep command to save the new setting in the unit's
non-volatile memory.
PS/2 to serial mouse translation, wheel mouse
You can use some computers with PS/2 mouse interfaces and some computers with serial
interfaces. You must issue this command on each computer, which is serial. You must switch to
each computer and issue the command.
To configure a computer for a serial mouse, press and release the left Control Key, type "Q1", and
press <Enter>. Follow with the Keep command to save the new setting in the unit's non-volatile
memory. To restore a computer which was previously set to serial to regular PS/2 use Q0 instead of
Q1.
Whether a computer uses a PS/2 wheel mouse or a regular PS/2 mouse is learned by Vista when
the computer loads its mouse driver. This will override any previous setting. You can tell Vista to
change its PS/2 communication to regular or wheel with the Q command. You can also save it to
non-volatile memory.
To configure a computer for a wheel mouse, press and release the left Control Key, type "Q2",and
press <Enter>. Follow with the Keep command to save the new setting in the unit's non-volatile
memory. To restore a computer which was previously set to wheel mouse to regular PS/2 use Q0
instead of Q2.
Null command
This command is used to re-synchronize an out-of-sync PS/2 mouse. Such a condition can result
due to transients, spurious power-up effects, or plugging and unplugging of cables with live
equipment. The command may need to be entered once or twice, depending if the mouse is out-of-
sync by one or two bytes. Microsoft mouse driver version 9.01 or later corrects this inadequacy of
previous drivers and renders this command unnecessary. To issue the command, press and release
the left Control Key, then type "N".

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
12
Keep command
The Keep command saves the current state of the Vista's custom settings. These settings are scan
enable, scan interval, each CPU's mode and keyboard LED state, maximum computers, the
keyboard typematic value, and the mouse translation for each CPU. These settings are saved in
non-volatile memory and become the power-up settings. To enter the command, press and release
the left Control Key, then type "K".
ROM Identification command
This command is used to identify the revision level of Vista firmware currently installed. Before
entering this command, your currently selected CPU should be at a command prompt, word
processor, or editor, so that when Vista sends the ROM revision level that the result will be displayed.
To issue the command, press and release the left Control Key, then type "I". Vista will send back its
current firmware revision level, in the format majorversion.minorversion.
Reset command
This command is used to re-boot the mouse and keyboard without removing power from Vista. This
is most useful to reset a PS/2 mouse that has been unplugged and plugged back in. This command
is also useful to enable mouse data to be sent to a CPU that has not enabled the mouse. This may
be the case if Vista was not connected or powered off after a CPU was booted up. To issue the
command, press and release the left Control Key, then type "R". This command should not be
issued to a CPU which has a PS/2 mouse connected, but no mouse driver is loaded, since many
CPUs will crash if you send them unexpected mouse data.
Immediately upon issuing the command, you will see the keyboard LEDs all go on and then resume
their previous state.
Reset computer mouse command
This command sends a mouse-reset command to the currently selected computer. Don't confuse
this command with the reset command, which resets the mouse itself. This command can be used to
recover a stuck mouse on NT and Windows 95/98. To issue the command, press and release the
left Control Key, then type "O".
Do not use this on older computers that can not recover the mouse by plugging a mouse in directly,
as it will make the mouse go out of sync.

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 13
Reset to factory default
The settings that have been previously set and saved in non-volatile memory can be returned to their
factory default settings. This can be useful when the unit is being moved to a new installation or to
put the settings into a known condition for troubleshooting. To perform this operation, hold in the "1"
and the "2" membrane buttons on the front panel and press and release the "reset" button. At least
one CPU must be correctly connected to the unit, so that the unit can be powered. The activity LED
will flash three times to signify that the non-volatile memory has been returned to the original factory
default settings listed in Appendix C.
Rackmount kit
The rackmount kit is an optional item that can be ordered at any time. Your Vista unit is designed to
accept the rack-mount mounting brackets. There are three sizes available 19" by 1.75", 23" by 1.75",
and 24" by 1.75". The most common rack style is 19".

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
14
To enter any keyboard command, first press and release the left Control Key, represented by <Ctrl>.
Then enter the command followed by any parameters you wish to specify. The number of the port
you wish to switch to is an example of a valid parameter.
Letter commands are not case sensitive, and are shown in upper case for clarity only. Do not use the
shift key in the command.
Do not use the numeric keypad to enter any commands.
All Vista commands use a two-second time-out between key presses. The command and command
mode will expire and reset to normal keyboard function after two seconds. This feature ensures that
the keyboard command mode of the Vista does not interfere with normal keyboard operation.
The <Ctrl> character is always passed through to the CPU. The valid command characters and
command operands, however, are absorbed by Vista and not sent to the CPU when the vista is in
command mode.
Figure 6. Keyboard command summary
Command Key Sequence Description
Port Selection <Ctrl> n
where n= 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, or 8
Connects your common keyboard, monitor,
and mouse to the selected computer.
Connect to next
computer
<Ctrl> + Selects the next sequential computer.
Connect to
previous computer
<Ctrl> - Selects the previous sequential computer.
Scan On <Ctrl> S Turns Scan mode on, causing Vista to start
scanning sequentially from the current port
through the remaining ports and beginning
again at Port 1.
Scan Off <Ctrl> X Turns Scan mode off.
Note: Scan can also be stopped by
entering a Port Selection command.
Reset command <Ctrl> R Resets and enables mouse and keyboard,
enables PS/2 mouse on currently selected
port.
Reset CPU-side
mouse command
<Ctrl> O Sends reset mouse command to currently
selected computer. Will recover a stuck
mouse on NT.
Send null to mouse <Ctrl> N Used to re-synchronize PS/2 mouse which
has gotten out-of-sync.
Identify ROM <Ctrl> I Identifies ROM version, CPU must be at
KEYBOARD COMMAND SUMMARY

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 15
version some sort of command prompt to receive
value.
Keep settings <Ctrl> K Tells Vista to save current scan state and
custom settings of commands shown
below.
Scan time interval <Ctrl> T nn <Enter>
where nn = time in
seconds from 1-15
seconds
Sets the time, in seconds, that Vista will
pause at each port when scanning.
Note: Follow with Keep command.
Set keyboard mode
and computer type
Select port, then enter
command:
<Ctrl> M n <Enter>
where n= 1, 2, or 3
Sets PC's keyboard mode. Must be done
for each computer where specific
keyboard/PC types are required. See
Keyboard Modes on page 9 for a full
description.
Note: Follow with Keep command.
Set maximum ports <Ctrl> P n<Enter>
where n= a single digit
number signifying total
number of ports
Sets the total number of ports to be used.
Limits scanning to this number of ports.
Note: Follow with Keep command.
Set typematic value <Ctrl> A nnn <Enter>
where nnn = a 1-3 digit
number from 0 to 127
indicating KB typematic
value
Sets power-on keyboard typematic action,
which is controlled by Vista. This can be
used to adjust the keystroke rate and delay
to the user preferred setting.
See Table 4 and Table 5 for how the
typematic value is determined.
Note: Follow with Keep command.
Set PC mouse type Select port, then enter
command:
<Ctrl> Q n<Enter>
where n=
0 (regular PS/2 mouse)
1 (serial mouse)
2 (PS/2 wheel mouse)
Enable/disable PS/2 to serial mouse or
PS/2 to PS/2 Wheel mouse translation.
Must be done for each computer where
translation is desired by switching to it and
issuing the command.
Note: Follow with Keep command.

VISTA INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
16
Settings Default
Scan enable Off
Scan Time Interval 5 seconds
Caps/Numlock/Scroll Numlock On
PC keyboard Mode 2
Typematic Value 43 (Rate=10.9 chars/sec, delay=500millisec.)
Mouse translation 0 (PS/2 mouse output)
SIZE 13.2"W x 1.75" x 4.5"D
WEIGHT 3 lb.
ENVIRONMENT 0 to 55°C., 0% to 80% non-condensing relative
humidity
INPUT POWER Supplied by keyboard port on computers or 110V/220V
auto switching DC9V converter on OSD models
CPU CONNECTORS HD15F/MiniDin6F/MiniDin6F
VIDEO CONNECTOR HD15 female VGA-style video
KEYBOARD CONNECTOR MiniDin6 female
PS/2 MOUSE CONNECTOR MiniDin6 female
CHASSIS Fully shielded, black painted steel with polyester front
panel overlay
CONTROLS Reset switch
Computer select membrane switches:
4 port models membrane button 1-4
8 port models membrane button 1-8
INDICATORS Activity LED
Power LEDs:
Computer select LEDS:
4 port models LEDs 1-4
8 port models LEDs 1-8
APPENDIX A. FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS
APPENDIX B. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS