PS/2 to USB adapter?

[Waves77]

I'd love to hear what PS/2 to USB adapter you guys are using, currently I have one of      these:
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/11298/subcatid/0/id/124184

I'm looking to buy one or two more but would rather spend less (and not get it from clickykeyboards) - any tips? Obviously I've tried one of the $2 ones without much success...

[iMav]

Those are actually the best ones I've found and are worth every penny.  (although, I believe I found them cheaper elsewhere...I'll have to look through my emails to see if I can dig up where)

[Waves77]

I'll have to look through my emails to see if I can dig up where)

Thanks, that would be awesome! I can't see a brand on the adapter itself...

[xsphat]

I've been using this one exclusively for years without any problems:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103747&cp=2032061.2032365.2032390&pg=15&parentPage=family

[Waves77]

I've been using this one exclusively for years without any problems:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103747&cp=2032061.2032365.2032390&pg=15&parentPage=family

Cool, I imagine you've plugged a model m into one of these? (it seems that the power requirements are higher).

I'll try to pick one of these up tomorrow

[xsphat]

The Model M is why I bought it -- that battleship popped the other two cheapies I had.

[jemkeys]

I hope that all new motherboards continue to have the ps/2 slot.  They gotta realize the advantage of having an instantly recognizable plug, and one that the bios will clearly understand.  

I understand that the HHKpro2 needs USB for the USB passthru plugs on the keyboard, but it took me awhile to get my bios to recognized the HHKpro2!  Turns out, only one of the four usb slots on the back of my mo/bo will recognize a USB keyboard for bios purposes.  Lucky for me, trial and error was a success .

[iMav]

I hope that all new motherboards continue to have the ps/2 slot.  They gotta realize the advantage of having an instantly recognizable plug, and one that the bios will clearly understand.  

I understand that the HHKpro2 needs USB for the USB passthru plugs on the keyboard, but it took me awhile to get my bios to recognized the HHKpro2!  Turns out, only one of the four usb slots on the back of my mo/bo will recognize a USB keyboard for bios purposes.  Lucky for me, trial and error was a success .

Newer system boards don't typically have any issues with USB (including in BIOS configuration).  I have no problem with seeing PS/2 finally die.

FYI, I've owned a few motherboards that were PS/2-less already.

[JohnnyBoy]

When I entered "PS/2 to USB adapter" into eBay, the search engine found 1842 items.

[jemkeys]

Newer system boards don't typically have any issues with USB (including in BIOS configuration).  I have no problem with seeing PS/2 finally die.

FYI, I've owned a few motherboards that were PS/2-less already.

Well I guess if the mo/bo doesn't have a ps/2 connection, it'll HAVE to be able to configure the bios by USB.  

PS/2 vs. USB

PS/2 Keyboard Connection Pros:
Instantly recognized as a keyboard by all BIOS.
Supports older keyboards that we all know and love.
Already a standard.
Leaves USB ports free for other things.

PS/2 Keyboard Connection Cons:
Slightly larger than USB.
No USB passthru options for keyboards with USB slots.

USB Keyboard Connection Pros:
Slightly smaller than PS/2.
Supports USB passthru options for keyboards with USB slots.

USB Keyboard Connection Cons:
Many older motherboards do not recognize a USB keyboard in the BIOS.
Takes up a USB port that could be used for other things.
Not every USB port natively supports a keyboard connection. (as in my story above)



My motherboard has a PS/2 connection, and also supports a USB keyboard in one of the four USB slots on the back.  I'm currently using up all of the USB slots on the back, and wish my keyboard didn't take up one of them.

[Waves77]

When I entered "PS/2 to USB adapter" into eBay, the search engine found 1842 items.

Already went that route, most of them are pretty crappy

[xsphat]

FYI, I've owned a few motherboards that were PS/2-less already.

So have I -- Macs.

[Waves77]

Just picked up the adapter, and everything is working as it should (typing away on my M right now).

Thanks for the tip xsphat! I will pick up another one of these as a backup

[xsphat]

Just picked up the adapter, and everything is working as it should (typing away on my M right now).

Thanks for the tip xsphat! I will pick up another one of these as a backup

Your welcome. I think I should buy an extra one as well.

[bhtooefr]

Wal-Mart carries a Belkin adapter that works fine with Model Ms. I think it's normally $15, I paid $13 for my latest one (lost the one I had.)

I'll note, though, that it does NOT work properly with Model M13s. The keyboard works fine, but not the TrackPoint.

[cmr]

i was at fry's today and i took a chance on an "Inland USB to PS/2 Converter" for US$9.99. it's labeled "Stock # 08315" on the packaging and  "MA3303" on the device itself, and it works fine with my model M.

[CX23882]

I'd hate to see PS/2 disappear completely.  I learned the usefulness of a PS/2 keyboard last weekend.

Some MSI motherboards have a feature whereby if the system fails a cold-boot 3 times in a row, it will load defaults and then sit at POST waiting for the user to "Press any key other than DEL to proceed".  I had a resource conflict after installing a PCI TV tuner, and whilst it worked initially, I eventually had issues with the computer freezing.  When I tried to restart, I was greeted by a blank screen (known compatibility issue between the tuner and the graphics card apparently).  After three attempts to boot the system, I was greeted by this recovery message.  Unfortunately I was unable to "press any key" because it appears before the USB controller is initialised.  A PS/2 keyboard is needed to proceed from this point.  Sure, it's an oversight, but I wonder if they would make the same oversight on the BIOS for the board with only USB?  Based on other shocking BIOS bugs I've seen in the past I'm willing to bet some manufacturers will.  PS/2 is great because it always works.

[itlnstln]

PS2 is also great because it allows for a true N-key rollover.  We all know the horrible things that can happen of you try to fake it over USB.  Yeah, I'm looking at you, Das III.

[alpslover]

PS2 is also great because it allows for a true N-key rollover.  We all know the horrible things that can happen of you try to fake it over USB.  Yeah, I'm looking at you, Das III.

i've tested other usb keyboards without n-key rollover that suffer the same keystroke input problems as the das.  so while loopholing around the 6 simultaneous keypress limit of usb may exacerbate the problem, it is not the cause of it.

[D-EJ915]

I use this: ebay but the old version with no ethernet, works fine but I've never tried a model M with it though, my SGI PS/2 keyboards don't work with it though *shrug*

[bhtooefr]

itlnstln: Well, that's not the approach that they had to use.

They could have used a composite device with two controllers - one for USB HID, one for a proprietary protocol WITH actual n-key (not 12-key) rollover. Include a driver CD to use the proprietary mode.

[zwmalone]

I can vouch for the Belkin adapter.  I paid ~$16 for it last year.  It's an "active" adapter vs a passive adapter so it's bound to work on just about any PS/2 keyboard/Mouse (besides the trackpoint on the m13 apparently).  I've used it with my M long-term with no ill effects as well as a Chicony KB7001 which I'm using now.  The only probelm I can find with it is sometimes the PS/2 connector comes loose (not all the way out of socket, just enough for it not to make a solid connection) and you have to reseat the connector.  I don't know if it has to do with the heavy cabling I use (DIN adapters are heavy and so is the thick M cabling) or if it's just not a tight fitting connector on the adapter.