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geekhack Community => Reviews => Topic started by: ander on Mon, 30 November 2015, 04:24:20

Title: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: ander on Mon, 30 November 2015, 04:24:20
I'd just like to go on record about this. When newbies come to GH wondering how to use a PS/2 keyboard on a USB port, they're often told to get one of these:


(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Vr4oARuJL._SX300_.jpg)


...the ubiquitous "Blue Cube" converter. However, I've found they don't always work, and their pudgy cases can block adjoining ports.

What has always worked—for me, at least—are the white generic three-cable mouse+KB converters:


(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31t-f%2BPBVaL.jpg)


(Note that it's not just a cable, but has a little electronics module in the middle. And the mouse connector is optional.)

Plus, they're cheaper than the BCs. Ridiculously cheap. Like, under $2 shipped (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xps%2F2+usb+cable+adapter.TRS0&_nkw=ps%2F2+usb+cable+adapter&_sacat=0). So noobs, please get the cable one.

And remember, USB is designed to be "hot pluggable", but PS/2 is not. So to avoid damaging your PC and/or KB, always:

(Someone feel free to make this sticky, if you think it's worthwhile.)
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: raymogi on Mon, 30 November 2015, 04:37:01
Yea I have one of those white ones and they work perfect on PC.

On the Mac it's a different story though. It freezes my trackpad left click most of the time so I'm still looking for a replacement.
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: ander on Mon, 30 November 2015, 04:39:52
For Macs, don't you have to go to the Apple Store and buy the special $25 converter made by Apple? Isn't Mac stuff always like that?  :?)
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: njbair on Mon, 30 November 2015, 07:15:02
I have the white one as well. Works great. Mine is a TrendNet branded one from Amazon, like $7 shipped. Still a good deal and I got it in 2 days.
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: raymogi on Mon, 30 November 2015, 07:22:23
Quote from: ander on Mon, 30 November 2015, 04:39:52
For Macs, don't you have to go to the Apple Store and buy the special $25 converter made by Apple? Isn't Mac stuff always like that?  :?)

lol no. I've never heard of such thing as Apple PS2 to USB converter.
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 30 November 2015, 20:04:57
I have one of these: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/usb-to-ps2-serial-multimode-adapter

Well, actually I have 3 of those.  They work well.

The weirdest combination was my old NEC keyboard with AT plug plus a AT to PS/2 converter plus one of these adaptors plugged in to my Mac - worked!
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: raymogi on Mon, 30 November 2015, 20:12:29
Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 30 November 2015, 20:04:57
I have one of these: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/usb-to-ps2-serial-multimode-adapter

Well, actually I have 3 of those.  They work well.

The weirdest combination was my old NEC keyboard with AT plug plus a AT to PS/2 converter plus one of these adaptors plugged in to my Mac - worked!

Yeah that's the one I'm waiting for in the mail. Looks the best and since you said it worked perfect on the Mac, it's even better :)
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: dragon788 on Mon, 30 November 2015, 21:55:39
Somebody has been selling a custom job on eBay running soarers firmware with a nice guide and links back to the forum. I grabbed one and it is working great so far on everything I've tried it with, even an Android tablet.
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: Lepidus on Mon, 30 November 2015, 22:57:22
Is there such thing as a Din 5 to usb adapter? Doing a megazord of adapters to make some of my old boards to work isnt very elegant.
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: Snowdog993 on Mon, 30 November 2015, 23:00:07
That brings me back to that post I made ages ago.... 

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45475.msg1570700#msg1570700

LOL!  Hahaha!  I'm laughing again!
Edit: The last picture is the clincher!
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: piemancoder on Tue, 01 December 2015, 17:08:54
I use one like that, but instead its a black one. It works fairly well, but occasionally doesn't work on a Mac. Also, thanks for the information about PS2.
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: jonathanyu on Tue, 01 December 2015, 22:06:58
I will probably need to buy every single one of them to try which one work with otd pcb.. my ps/2 connector on my motherboard seems going to die
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: raymogi on Tue, 01 December 2015, 22:13:26

Quote from: jonathanyu on Tue, 01 December 2015, 22:06:58
I will probably need to buy every single one of them to try which one work with otd pcb.. my ps/2 connector on my motherboard seems going to die

The white one with split end works with OTD. I have tried it myself.
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: jonathanyu on Tue, 01 December 2015, 22:45:43
Quote from: raymogi on Tue, 01 December 2015, 22:13:26

Quote from: jonathanyu on Tue, 01 December 2015, 22:06:58
I will probably need to buy every single one of them to try which one work with otd pcb.. my ps/2 connector on my motherboard seems going to die

The white one with split end works with OTD. I have tried it myself.

awesome! let me buy one right now and try it  :)
Title: Re: Best PS/2-to-USB adapter
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 01 January 2016, 11:22:03
Apparently this one by Trendnet is also very good:
http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-USB-1-1-Converter-TU-PS2/dp/B0007T27HI

I haven't used it myself, but with over a thousand reviews and several people with model Ms even saying that this worked when others didn't, I think it's got a good track record.