Modern USB Peripherals on Secure PS/2 QubesOS Systems | KVM Switch Madness

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There’s no more secure usage of USB devices then in Qubes. Again, insisting at all costs on using USB keyboard and mouse while having PS/2 port available is beyond my rationalization.

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  • Automatic: Set sys-usb to autostart.
  • Manual: Alt + F3, type sys-usb, press Enter. (Beforehand, configure your application shortcuts to make Start qube the only shortcut for sys-usb.)
  • Press Alt + F3, type term, press Enter.
  • Configure a custom shortcut in dom0 keyboard settings. (Apparently there’s already one configured for the Terminal key, but I’m not sure which key that is.)
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Thanks, that works fine! Just because I have the window focus off, I also have to select with ALT + TAB, but with that it works like a charm. Thanks so much!

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The main idea is to have a single USB mouse/keyboard combo for multiple PCs at the same time (KVM switch).

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I get it! I have the same EXACT demand as you and it’s giving me a headache trying to find a solution. I’m commenting to further a secure solution to this discussion.

Since Qubes.OS does not play nice with graphics, I find sanity in having one Qubes OS pc for work and one for gaming connected via a kvm switch. I would love to learn more about the security risks here. My usb gaming keyboard and macro gaming mouse is connected to the kvm switch.

One solution I’m thinking is to get a PS/2 adapter for both pc’s connected to two long usb extension cords that lay flat together on my desk infront of my shared keyboard that supports a DETATCHABLE WIRE. The ingenuity here is that you can switch the wires with ease during the few seconds you wait for your kvm feed to switch to keep you busy. Switch the wire back to use the keyboard for Qubes OS again.

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I bought one of these Tripp-Lite adapters, but mouse input was laggy and it drove me nuts watching the mouse cursor dragging just slightly behind where it should have been. Is this not a problem for you? If not maybe it works better with some mice than others, or it doesn’t like my KVM switch.

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Danny; Not sure, why you are getting a lag. I have used multiple mouse brands and models from no-names to Logitech, Microsoft, etc with no problems. I don’t do any gaming. So I cannot comment from experience on fancy gaming models, in case that is what you are using. I actually had to play with the mouse settings in the Qubes menus at first to slow the mouse down for my comfort level, but I’ve never experienced a lag.

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