geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: hyper on Mon, 17 October 2011, 06:59:37
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I bought a Compaq 11800 off eBay to use at work. The PCs at work have no PS2 connections, so I bought a PS2 > USB adapter. I tried it today and it doesn't seem to be working. When I plug it in the lights on the KB flash, but keys don't respond. Tried rebooting, no luck, also during boot up there is a message that says keyboard error.
I did try the keyboard at home and it worked (without the adapter), I will try with the adapter tonight.
Could it be that this PC doesn't like PS2 connections or there is a problem with the keyboard?
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What PS/2 to USB adapter are you using? I would recommend either the Belkin model recommended in the Wikis or else the Blue Cube - I have also used a 11800 successfully on a ZioTek adapter. But not all adapters are created equal.
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Which usb to ps2 adaptor is it? You can probably look up the vendor and product ID in device manager on windows to determine which one it is.
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It's this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Replacement-USB-Keyboard-Adapter/dp/B0009RKLMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318857686&sr=8-1
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Ah, yeah that's a passive adapter. That type won't work with some older boards with a larger power draw. You'll probably want to look at this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWLink-USB-Keyboard-Adapter-N01210/dp/B001GXR72E (http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWLink-USB-Keyboard-Adapter-N01210/dp/B001GXR72E)
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Ah, yeah that's a passive adapter. That type won't work with some older boards with a larger power draw. You'll probably want to look at this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWLink-USB-Keyboard-Adapter-N01210/dp/B001GXR72E (http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWLink-USB-Keyboard-Adapter-N01210/dp/B001GXR72E)
Oh, that will teach me for making assumptions.
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Thanks for the help.
Hmm, which one should I get?
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/8561693/Newlink-USB-A-Male-To-PS-2-Female-Adapter/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:8561693%7Cprd:8561693
or
http://www.weareelectricals.com/products/Belkin-PS%7B47%7D2-%252d-USB-ADAPTER-F5U119CPE
(That is the right Belkin one?)
Belkin one might be better for this keyboard because of the mouse + KB connectors.
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the first one works with the 11800 (and just about everything else too)
the second one will probably work, but I'm not sure.
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Get one of these. I am typing through one on my Cherry MX11900 right now. It allows use of both the keyboard and touchpad (or roller ball in your case) with one usb port. The best setup is a 6" usb extension so you don't block other usb ports with it. I have had zero issues with it and have used it daily for over 6 months. You can see my keyboard and adapter in this thread (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:14080).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-PS-2-Adapter-Splitte-PC-Keyboard-Mouse-Vista-/180739398470?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a14e85b46 (Not sure if this is the same seller, but my adapter looks identical to this.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]28842[/ATTACH]
EDIT: I see you aren't in the US. Here is another one that is available internationally.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PS2-Keyboard-Mouse-USB-Coverter-Adapter-Splitter-/160603549063?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2564b7ad87
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Yeah thats a passive adaptor, it only works on a keyboard designed to work via USB. The active adaptors have a chip in them that converts PS2 to USB. I don't see the point in passive adaptors even existing, because you can buy active ones at near the same price, and they are obviously infinately more useful.
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Yeah thats a passive adaptor, it only works on a keyboard designed to work via USB. The active adaptors have a chip in them that converts PS2 to USB. I don't see the point in passive adaptors even existing, because you can buy active ones at near the same price, and they are obviously infinately more useful.
True...but if it works and has dual inputs and is super cheap...why not use it.
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I ordered the "Blue Cube" to be on the safe side, won't use the trackball anyway :P
Thanks for the advice all.
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Yeah thats a passive adaptor, it only works on a keyboard designed to work via USB. The active adaptors have a chip in them that converts PS2 to USB. I don't see the point in passive adaptors even existing, because you can buy active ones at near the same price, and they are obviously infinately more useful.
Well, some keyboards (e.g. pretty much anything new-ish) either come with a PS/2 cable and a passive USB adapter, or more often recently the other way around, as USB has become more common. The reason that they exist is simply to make the mechanical and electrical connection between your PC and your keyboard; the keyboard auto-detects the protocol.
Now older boards like your 11800... don't do that. Back in the day (and may still be true of Cherry boards?) the boards were designed for only one protocol and that was it. Hence the need for active adapters.
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Got the blue cube today and it works :P