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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: bopdiddy on Thu, 11 June 2009, 11:19:48

Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: bopdiddy on Thu, 11 June 2009, 11:19:48: I'm trying to use my new eBay purchase (Dell AT101W, 0006780D rev A00 if that means anything) on my Tecra M9 via a passive PS/2 to USB adapter.

Neither the Tecra nor its docking station have PS/2 (boo hoo). Using a passive adapter isn't working. I've made the BIOS changes to have the BIOS (not O/S) handle plug-n-play, and also enabled legacy keyboard/mouse USB support. (and combinations of those settings.)

(I've tested the keyboard on a machine with PS/2, it works fine. Actually, I freaking love it.)

Nothing, at least not with Windows XP. The machine seems to react (disk access, briefly) and the lock LEDs light up on the keyboard (briefly) but no "found hardware", etc.

Any tricks? If I need an active converter (need one anyway for my Model M) where would you recommend getting it from (I assume clickykeyboard).

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Cheers,

-A
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 11 June 2009, 11:21:34: This is the one I have, and it works great: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10404&cs_id=1040401&p_id=173&seq=1&format=2.
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 11 June 2009, 11:26:14: Belkin's USB adapter works fine with all the various mechanical keyboards I've used.
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: watduzhkstand4 on Thu, 11 June 2009, 11:30:42: I'm gonna go grab one for myself too because I tried to use my At101w with USB but didn't work. Thanks itlnstln!
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 11 June 2009, 11:42:00: There's a lot of variation in ps2-usb adapters. I have a small collection of them because certain ones didnt work with certain boards (while other ones did).

With my at101w, I did have a passive one that worked fine.

If you want an active one tho, this one from amazon worked great for me on all boards from the at101w to the M:
http://www.amazon.com/PS2-Keyboard-To-USB-Adapter/dp/B000BSJFJS/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1244738458&sr=8-11

very cheap and sold by cyberguys via amazon.
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: bopdiddy on Thu, 11 June 2009, 14:24:04: Quote from: itlnstln;95449
This is the one I have, and it works great: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10404&cs_id=1040401&p_id=173&seq=1&format=2.

Thanks guys! I'm in Canada, so regrettably the Cyberguys one won't ship here (looks the same as the clickykeyboard one that goes for $18 there??).

itlnstln, do you know if that monoprice one works with Model Ms as well?

Thanks again!
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 11 June 2009, 14:25:24: Quote from: bopdiddy;95521
itlnstln, do you know if that monoprice one works with Model Ms as well?

Thanks again!

That's the 'board I used it for.
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: IBI on Thu, 11 June 2009, 15:26:11: Quote from: ripster;95530
The BLUE CUBE all the way folks. Why bother with anything else?

Personally, I think an internal (http://www.startech.com/item-stock/USBPS2PLATE-USB-to-PS2-Keyboard-and-Mouse-Converter-Adapter.aspx) one is much cooler:

(http://www.startech.com/Share/Gallery/Small/USBPS2PLATE.small.jpg)

(I've no idea what it's keyboard support is like)
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 11 June 2009, 15:50:22: Quote from: bopdiddy;95521
Thanks guys! I'm in Canada, so regrettably the Cyberguys one won't ship here (looks the same as the clickykeyboard one that goes for $18 there??).

itlnstln, do you know if that monoprice one works with Model Ms as well?

Thanks again!

the one on amazon i linked to above is the same as the cyberguys one (is actually sold by cyberguys via amazon) -- maybe amazon will ship internationally?
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: IBI on Thu, 11 June 2009, 20:39:36: Quote from: wellington1869;95545
the one on amazon i linked to above is the same as the cyberguys one (is actually sold by cyberguys via amazon) -- maybe amazon will ship internationally?

Where are you located? You may be able to find a rebadged one locally and while it won't be guaranteed that it's got the same internals it's probably going to be cheap enough to be worth a try.
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: bopdiddy on Thu, 11 June 2009, 22:22:53: I'm in Ottawa, Canada. Haven't been able to find anything local.

I'd get the internal ps/2 to usb, but it's for a laptop/dock at work and a Mac at home.

Thanks again, guys. I took a gamble with monoprice while I poke around locally for a blue cube. I'll let you know how well the active converter works.
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: bopdiddy on Thu, 11 June 2009, 22:30:43: Actually, a clarification. After reading this thread I decided to dig a little. Amazon itself wouldn't ship to a Canadian address - but Cyberguys directly will. I already have some of the monoprice coming, but I'm tempted to get a blue cube or two to be safe. Shipping is cheap (and USPS, not those pirates at UPS).
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 11 June 2009, 22:36:23: isnt there an amazon.ca? i guess they didnt have it?
Title: Dell AT101W requires PS/2 to USB converter (not adapter)?
Post by: bopdiddy on Thu, 11 June 2009, 22:45:31: Yup, there's an Amazon.ca, and they don't have the blue cube, regrettably. There are (online) ps/2 to usb adapter/converters to be found in Canada, but it's unclear if they're active or passive.