geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: rphillips on Tue, 14 October 2014, 14:16:15
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I have a gateway 2000 that I am typing this message with, works perfectly. I got a new computer and the new computer does not have ps2 connections but My old computer did. I purchased a ps2 to usb and that is how I have it hooked up. The problem is about every 1-2 min if I am typing my computer will make the sound as if I have hooked up a usb device and the keyboard stops working for 3-5 seconds. The lights on the keyboard never turn off it appears as if it is still connected but I cant type with it. Can someone tell me what I need to do to fix this? The keyboard stooped 5 times while typing this message. Seems the faster I type the more it messes up. Thanks for any help.
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I honestly thought Microsoft Windows was the only user on this forum that still had (and used) a Gateway 2000.
What type of PS/2 to USB did you buy? What you need is an active converter, not a passive adapter.
Get a BlueCube. (http://www.amazon.com/Ziotek-PS2-Keyboard-USB-Adapter/dp/B000BSJFJS)
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FTFY ;)
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WOW, that was a quick response! Thanks
I have two of them, been doing cad work for years and love the keyboard.
Can you explain the difference, it was working on my old computer when plug directly into the motherboard ps2 port.
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Pictures are worth 1000 words...
Passive adapter:
(http://images.geeksimages.com/imageshare/P/300x300/PS2-USB-unit.jpg)
Active converter(s):
(http://www.clickykeyboard.com/_ebay/modelm_usb/modelm_usb-001.jpg)
(http://images.geeksimages.com/imageshare/A/300x300/A-USB2PS2-unit.jpg)
Basically, the passive adapters simply take the PS/2 pins and direct them to their "equivalent" USB pin.
The active adapters contain the electronics necessary to convert the PS/2 signals into USB signals.
Not sure if I'm explaining it quite right, but I think you can get the gist of it...
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This is what i bought
http://www.staples.com/QVS-1-USB-To-PS-2-For-Keyboard-and-Mouse-Adaptor-Cable/product_IM1TW8133
It looks just like you last pic. So maybe there is something wrong with the adapter that i just purchased?
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It's a distinct possibility...
Do you have any other PS/2 keyboards you can test with it?
Even if you do, and it tests out fine, it could be simply that your Gateway 2000 keyboard isn't fully compatible with that adapter (certain keyboards draw more power than the adapter can provide, which causes the errors). This happens more often on these types of adapters with the two PS/2s (I remember mine couldn't run both my Model M and my mouse simultaneously).
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I don't have one I can test with me but I may be able to find one.
So what about getting a powered usb hub you think that would help.
I don't think its a mouse and keyboard issue because my mouse is usb so i only have the keyboard pluged into the adapter.
What do you suggest. Should i get a single adapter, and do you think that may help?
Thanks
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The BlueCube is generally considered to be the best converter. I'd recommend getting one of those.
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Blue cubes are good. There are the odd board that won't work with one, I'm only able to think of the siig minitouch. Soarer's converter might work if the blue cube doesn't.
I think Computer-Lab in Basement's advice is sound, I'm only suggesting something in the unlikely event...
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Thanks for all the help, I will try that and let you know.
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What type of PS/2 to USB did you buy? What you need is an active converter, not a passive adapter.
If he had the wrong type, it wouldn't work at all. The passive adapters don't "mostly sorta work", they simply don't work.
The OP's symptoms are pretty common — some converters just suck. My Belkin F5U119 converter does something similar with my Monterey K102 – every so often it will reset itself and I can't type for a few seconds. The Belkin ones use at least two chips and the good ones use the same Cypress chip as in the BlueCube.
I was using a Cherry G84-4400 off a PS/2 to USB yesterday and the ctrl key kept getting stuck — I'm guessing that's another converter-related problem with whatever random converter I found in a box. (It's not branded.)