Solved KVM switch Didn't load on Windows start - err: Sortkey.nlp not found

[JLSims]

I just found this forum while searching for help.

The mouse and keyboard were non functional after start-up yesterday. The only clue was an errer alert stating that, "Windows can not find the file: Sortkey.nlt. I did a search for this file and had quite a few hits. Some links were to Microft's "FixIt" links and one identified "Sortkey.nlt" to be a component of Net Framework 4. Other links, I believe, stated that a late version of Net Framework did contain a bug. As per Microsoft's instructions, I deleted this file in two locations and ran the FixIt routine that I had downloaded. The process finished by downloading and installing a new update to Net Framework, and my mouse and keyboard work great on the one computer on which I did the FixIt routine - I also have to do this on the other computer as well. Now I am apprehensive about re-connecting the KVM switch - wondering if the KVM did this to my computers. I filled out a "Support Form" on the StarTech Support page but I haven't received a response yet. Has anyone here had this experience when using a KVM to switch from on computer to another?

Additional Info:

Computer 1: Windows 7 Home Premium; Computer 2: Windows 7 Professional
StarTech Model: SC211KUSB, KVM switch (All USB interface)

Any help and suggestions will be appreciated.

I hope I can contribute to this forum but as my age increases, I turned 75 last July, the changes in computers and software seem to be changing more rapidly each year.

Jim Sims
Madison, AL

 

[RickL1]

Hello,
I could not find the KVM model you mentioned, but I did find model SV211KUSB, is that the one that you have? That is a typical device that goes between the keyboard/video/mouse and one, or more, computers.

A KVM Switch can be a wonderful little thing, and I use a similar one myself. A KVM Switch should not be having ANY effect on the files on your computers. So I think that the error on your screen is not related to your KVM Switch. That error may, or may not, be related to the problem of the computer not responding to the keyboard and mouse.

I recommend that you look at the user manual for your KVM Switch and see if it mentions some way to do a Reset. If it can do a Reset then that is the first thing to try if you have the unresponsive problem in the future. On my KVM Switch it will occasionally do the switch but only the keyboard works, so when I do the Reset then it fixes the mouse port.

 

[JLSims]

RickL1,

You are right in correcting me on the model of my KVM switch (SV211KUSB) - I took typing in the sixth grade but, unfortunately, it didn't take. Also, I'm plagued with a mild form of dyslexia. I try to double-check my post but I don't always see the mistakes.

Thanks, I'll take another look on the Startech support site and look for a way to reset my switch. And hopefully I will receive a response from them today.

Jim

 

[Berton]

I use a 4-port Trendnet TK-407K USB KVM and it does not need software, actually didn't come with any.

 

[JLSims]

Burton,

You are right. As RickL1 had also said. Also, since I still had no response from the service request that I had submitted on the StarTech support site, I called them, this morning, and within about a minute I was talking to an English speaking, knowledgeable tech - imagine that! He also verified what you both had said. He also said that he believed that the errant file, "sortkey.nlp", was unrelated to their SV211KUSB KVM switch. So I made sure that both computers wold work with the keyboard, Video, and mouse connected directly to each computer and then connected these components through the KVM switch. Everything worked.

Thanks, RickL1 and Burton for your spot-on response! PROBLEM SOLVED!

 

[Berton]

You're welcome, JLSims.

Berton