strange multimedia key issues with usb kvm

[Oo.et.oO]

first off, my main machine has no ps/2 ports.
usb keyboard and mouse work great on it. i got the multimedia keys on my dell keyboard working great with amarok.

enter new machine i was playing with... ps/2 ports but i need to use the usb kvm switch, for obvious reasons.
first, when the machine boots the kvm switch doesn't see it. probable a limitation in the iogear kvm.
i CAN get it working if i boot the machine and then plug in the kvm stuff.

the weird thing is that when i switch back to my main machine, the multimedia key stuff is all hosed. at one point i actually had the mouse and the kvm switch functions reversed.

at first i had my mouse plugged into my keyboard, which was then plugged into the kvm. maybe i'll try BOTH being plugged into the kvm. i don't know why it would matter.

ideas?