Rextron SOHO Tower TNP12C User manual

Package Contents:
▓ The complete TNP12C contains:
2-Port SOHO Tower (TNP12) x 1
Custom cable set 1.8M(6ft) x 2
User’s manual x 1
▓The complete TNP14C contains:
4-Port SOHO Tower (TNP14) x 1
Custom cable set 1.8M(6ft) x 4
User’s manual x 1
Copyright 12/2003 Rextron Technology, Inc.
PP5-N6300-000
Printed in Taiwan

Table of Content
■ Introduction
Overview ................................................................ 1
Features................................................................. 2
■ Installations
Console Connection .............................................. 3
Computers Connection .......................................... 5
Cable Management................................................ 6
Initial Power-up ...................................................... 6
■ Operations
Front Panel operation ............................................ 7
Hot-key commands ................................................ 7
■ Appendices
Specifications ......................................................... 10
Troubleshooting ..................................................... 11
Please read this manual thoroughly and
follow the Installation procedures to
prevent any damage to the SOHOTower or any
connecting device.

SOHOTower
1
----------------- Introduction
Overview
The SOHOTower TNP12C and TNP14C are computer
switches that allow access to two or four IBM compatible
computers respectively from one PS/2 keyboard, mouse
and monitor. Switching between computers is as easy as
pressing the push button or entering hot-key commands
from your keyboard. There is no interface card and
software to install and the SOHOTower is independent of
the computer operating system.
Ready to run right out of the box, this Kit comes with
everything you need - a switch and complete cable sets, just
hook them up and go. By allowing one console to manage
all your computers, the SOHOTower eliminates the expense
for extra consoles, the spaces for extra peripherals and the
time hopping around for accessing different computers.

SOHOTower
2
Features
Unique loose-free cables included preventing keyboard
or mouse connector from getting loose.
Supports PS/2 keyboard and mouse.
Keyboard and mouse emulation for error-free PC boot
up.
Keyboard and mouse are hot pluggable at any time
without turning either SOHOTower or PCs off.
Space-saving design.
Auto scan automatically selects computers sequentially.
Supports M/S IntelliMouse (Pro), Explorer, Optical.
Hot-key and push button allow easy computer access.
Keyboard states automatically saved and restored when
switching computers.
Operating system independent, transparent to all
applications.
High VGA resolution 1920x1440.
DDC2B compatible.
Power-free operation - the SOHOTower draws power
from the attached PCs.

SOHOTower
-----------------Installation
Console Connection
Turn your computers off. Connect a PS/2 keyboard to the
mini-DIN-6 port marked with “Keyboard” and a PS/2 mouse
to the mini-DIN-6 port marked with “Mouse”. Then connect
your VGA monitor cable directly to the HDB15 port as
shown in figure 1.
Figure 1: SOHOTower 2 Console Connection
3

SOHOTower
The figure 2 shows 4-port SOHOTower console connection.
Figure 2: SOHOTower 4 Console Connection
The multi-sync monitor must be capable of synchronizing
with the computer's video signal. If you are uncertain
about the monitor type, please consult the monitor user's
manual.
The SOHOTower consumes negligible power and is
designed to run reliably without an external power adapter.
4

SOHOTower
Computers Connection
SOHOTower comes with complete cable sets facilitating
computer connection. One side of the cable has an
HDB-15 connector and the other side has three connectors
(one HDB-15 and two mini-DIN6s). The 1 ~ 4marks on
the SOHOTower are for computer connection as shown in
figure 3.
Figure 3: COMPUTER Connection
NOTE: If your computer uses an AT style keyboard, you will
need an "AT-to-PS/2 keyboard adapter" at the
computer keyboard port.
5

SOHOTower
Cable Managemenet
Manage the KVM cable sets by tying all the cables with the
attached Velcro and run the Velcro through the loop at the
back of the SOHOTower. The Velcro can support the
weight of the cable sets to prevent the SOHOTower from
tumbling, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Velcro ties the cable sets and extends the base of
the SOHOTower.
Initial Power-up
Make sure all computers and the SOHOTower are
powered down during installation. You may power up
the computers after installation,. The SOHOTower can
be powered from the computers. This procedure
ensures the SOHOTower receive computer settings
correctly when computer boots.
NOTE: You may hot plug any additional powered-down
computer to the SOHOTower at any time after the initial
power up.
6

SOHOTower
----------------- Operations
Front Panel operation
Figure 5: Front push-button for selection
You may switch to a different computer by pressing the front
panel push-button directly or by issuing hot-key commands.
The front-panel LED illuminates indicating the active port.
The LED flashes while in either Auto Scan or Manual Scan
mode.
Should you encounter any keyboard or mouse problem,
press and hold down the push-button for 3 seconds to
initialize the keyboard and mouse.
Hot-key commands
Hot-key command is a short keyboard sequence to select a
computer or to activate computer scanning. SOHOTower
interprets keystrokes for hot-keys all the time. A hot-key
7

SOHOTower
8
sequence starts with two left Ctrl keystrokes followed by
one or two more keystrokes.
To select a computer:
left Ctrl + left Ctrl + 1
Selects the computer at PC 1.
left Ctrl + left Ctrl + 2
Selects the computer at PC 2.
left Ctrl + left Ctrl + 3
Selects the computer at PC 3
(for TNP14C only).
left Ctrl + left Ctrl + 4
Selects the computer at PC 4
(for TNP14C only).
NOTE: Do not use the keypad at the right side of the
keyboard for hot key commands.
To start Auto Scan, automatically scans all ports one
by one at a fixed interval:
leftCtrl + left Ctrl + F1
To abort the Auto Scan mode, press the left Ctrl
key twice. Keyboard and mouse are both
operational during Auto Scan. When it detects any
keyboard or mouse activity, it suspends Auto Scan
until the activity stops; it then resumes with the next
computer in sequence. The length of the Auto
Scan interval (Scan Rate) is adjustable, see below.
LED flashes during Auto Scan for TNP14C only.

SOHOTower
9
Manual Scan enables you to manually switch back
and forth between computers.
leftCtrl + left Ctrl + F2
Press ↑or ↓to select the previous or the next
computer in sequence. And, press any other key to
abort the Manual Scan. LED flashes during
Manual Scan for TNP14C only.
To adjust Scan Rate which sets the duration before
switching to the next computer in Auto Scan:
leftCtrl + left Ctrl + F3
There are four options: 3, 8, 15 and 30 seconds.
NOTE: Scan Rate is set to default of 3 seconds after
SOHOTower loses power, i.e., all connected
computers are turned off.
To adjust keyboard typematic rate (characters/sec),
this setting over-rides that of BIOS and any
operating system:
leftCtrl + left Ctrl + F4
There are four options: 10, 15, 20 and 30
characters/sec.
NOTE: The keyboard typematic Rate is set to
default of 10 characters/sec when SOHOTower
loses all power sources, i.e., all connected
computers are turned off.

SOHOTower
10
----------------- Appendices
Specifications
Specification TNP12C TNP14C
Console port number 1
Computer port number 2 4
Port selection push button 1
Hot plug-and-play Yes
Hot-key control Yes
VGA 1920 x 1440, DDC2B
Computer connector HDB15 x 2 HDB15 x 4
Console connector
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
PS/2
PS/2
HDB15
Automatic scan interval 3, 8, 15, 30 seconds
Cable length 1.8m x 2 1.8m x 4
H x W x D (mm) 125 x 50 x 100
Power-free operation Yes

SOHOTower
11
Troubleshooting
Ensure that all cables are well seated. Check that
keyboard/mouse cables are not swapped. Label
the cables for each computer to avoid confusion
when connected to the SOHOTower.
Symptom Causes Solutions
Keyboard or
mouse does not
work
Improper power-up
sequence.
Keyboard or
mouse not properly
initialized.
Press and hold down the
push button for 3
seconds, the SOHOTower
will re-initialize the
keyboard and mouse.
If problem persists,
unplug the keyboard or
mouse, wait for few
seconds then plug it back.
Keyboard error
on boot
Loose keyboard
connection.
Make sure keyboard
cables are well seated.
Keyboard
strokes shifted
The computer was
in shifted state
when last switched
Press both SHIFT keys.
Computer can
not use serial
mouse.
The SOHOTower does
not support serial mouse.

SOHOTower
12
Scan Rate was
set to 30 sec
and becomes 3
sec.
All connecting
computers are
powered off.
SOHOTower
resets.
Set the Scan Time again
and keep at least one
computer on all the time.
Mouse does not
work.
Too many mouse
drivers installed in
a computer.
Remove unused mouse
drivers. M/S mouse
driver is highly suggested.

Limited Warranty
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR'S LIABILITY FOR
DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTIAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFIT, LOSS OF
BUSINESS, OR FINANCIAL LOSS WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY
THE USE OF THE PRODUCT EXCEEDS THE PRICE PAID FOR
THE PDOCUDT.
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or implied with respect to the contents or use of this documentation,
and especially disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or
fitness for any particular purpose.
The direct vendor also reserves the right to revise or update the
product or documentation without obligation to notify any user or
organization of such revisions or updates. For further information,
please contact your direct vendor.
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