geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ironman31 on Wed, 25 August 2010, 20:29:03
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Is it bad for the ps/2 connector to unplug and replug it daily? Not from the computer, but from a device that allows for hot swapping.
I'm basically just asking if the connector is made to withstand as much plug and play as a usb.
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Have you ever thought about it with a standard outlet? Just don't pull by the cord, and always straight in and out.
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Depends on the person. I've seen many PS/2 connectors with bent/broken pins where users have been impatient and tried to ram the plug in. Doesn't help that the socket is often out of sight behind the machine, or that it is inherently difficult to orientate it correctly (rotationally speaking.) But if you're careful it's fine. Many datacentres use crash carts to wheel a screen and keyboard up to a hot plug breakout panel, they manage OK.
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dude I heard that about this guy who was unplugging his ps/2 connector from his dock, two weeks later BAM herpes.
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The OCN guys do it all the time and even have a workaround to allow hotplugging.
Can you tell me what's that workaround (I searched, but couldn't find it).
PS: I've found out myself that you can fix the typematic bug without restarting by simply clicking Apply in the keyboard properties in control panel. But what about the risk of frying the keyboard or MoBo?
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Haha :D
I was thinking of somehow disabling the ports and/or keyboard/mouse, to prevent possible damage, which I don't see how to do in Device Manager.
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But I warn you, Aussies will plug their dongles into ANYTHING.
Insert picture of Ripster here
Where is Ripster’s keeper, Wellington when you need him?
IBM instructions always stated power down and then power up with PS2 devices. They popularised the PS2 connection and although engineering wise they might be conservative there was probably a good reason for it. Not all PS2 ports are created equal, some specify keyboard or mouse and others it does not matter. I was always of the understanding that PS2 ports on IBM PCs they were labelled keyboard and mouse had different mW outputs so perhaps drawing 500mW over something that was designed for 200mW would blow up something.
USB was created for ‘hot swap’ not PS2.
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The odd thing is that PS/2 uses open collector signalling - the data lines are pulled up to +5V by a resistor, and to transmit data the lines are pulled down to 0V by a transistor. This is inherently very safe, it doesn't matter (electrically) if both ends try to transmit at the same time. Hot plugging *should* be safe. But it causes problems because of power surges. Why this doesn't happen every time you power on with a keyboard connected I've never quite worked out. Maybe normal power ups have the 5V power rising smoothly, more by accident than design?