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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: huan588 on Wed, 19 March 2025, 05:15:53

Title: Gifted a vintage keyboard
Post by: huan588 on Wed, 19 March 2025, 05:15:53

I was gifted a Dell AT101W keyboard with ALPS black lightly tactile switches by a doctor friend who knew I was an enthusiast.  I am having quite a bit of trouble to get this working.  The connection is PS/2, but that in itself should not be much of an issue.  I am using a PS/2 to USB-A adapter.  When plugged in the device manager states that there is an uknown USB device and that "(port reset failed) I have tried multiple USB ports and have unsuccessfully searched for drivers.  If I allow Win 10 to search for drivers it says tat the best driver is already installed.               

I have gone to the Dell Website and it does not know my device not have compatible drivers available.   I'm not sure what to do.  I would have liked to tear it down and restore it, but at this time I may just sell it for parts.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks a bunch!!

Title: Re: Gifted a vintage keyboard
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 19 March 2025, 08:02:10

You probably need a better PS/2-to-USB adapter. These are not simple wire-to-wire connectors, and different devices (ie motherboards, etc) are expecting different specific inputs.

I have several of these Dells, and they are not overly demanding - that is, you will not need anything too exotic to get it running.