Tip Top Tips: Running Multiple Logitech Devices From One USB Receiver

Editor's Note: Tip Top Tips is a new monthly column in The PCLinuxOS Magazine. Each month, we will feature -- and possibly even expand upon -- one tip from the PCLinuxOS forum. The magazine will not accept independent tip submissions specifically intended for inclusion in the Tip Top Tips column. Rather, if you have a tip, share it in the PCLinuxOS forum's "Tips & Tricks" section. Your tip just may be selected for publication in The PCLinuxOS Magazine.

This month's tip comes from PCLinuxOS forum member Ramchu.

I just purchased a new Logitech wireless keyboard. In the instructions, I noticed paragraph for running up to six (6) compatible devices from a single USB receiver. I went to http://logitech.com/support/. There I discovered that, once again, Linux isn't (officially) supported. I searched with Google and discovered that there was a workaround.

I then searched in Synaptic for unifying and discovered Solaar, installed the package, then opened solaar from a terminal.

I now have my Logitech wireless mouse and wireless keyboard both working from a single USB receiver .

For your Logitech product to be compatible, this logo should be located somewhere on the equipment.

From the description in Synaptic:

solaar

Device manager for Logitech's Unifying Receiver

Solaar is a Linux device manager for Logitech's Unifying Receiver peripherals. It is able to pair/unpair devices to the receiver, and for most devices read battery status.

It comes in two flavors, command-line and GUI. Both are able to list the devices paired to a Unifying Receiver, show detailed info for each device, and also pair/unpair supported devices with the receiver.

Most of you may already know of solaar. I didn't, and I am sure others don't either. I hope this helps someone.