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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ocdonkb on Tue, 24 November 2009, 13:10:16

Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ocdonkb on Tue, 24 November 2009, 13:10:16
Amazingly, out of the 4 computers at home, not one has a PS/2 port.

So how do you guys convert from AT to USB?? I've got a Focus 2001 here, with 5-DIN AT connector, I'd love to use.

I've tried the AT-to-PS/2, PS/2-to-USB, but it's not seeing the keyboard.

The AT-to-PS/2 adapter I'm using is:

(http://www.cablestogo.com/product-images/02475/400/02475a.jpg)

The PS/2-to-USB adapter I'm using is:

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5740&d=1258403991)
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: spremino on Tue, 24 November 2009, 13:17:57
Could it be that they need too much energy?

I've tried connecting my IBM PS/2 by means of an adapter similar to that of yours on top, without any success.

However, with another adapter the keyboard did work perfectly on Windows, whilst the Screen Lock led didn't work on Linux.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ocdonkb on Tue, 24 November 2009, 13:29:11
On my work computer that has a PS/2 port, the AT-to-PS/2 converter works fine.

I've also tried the PS/2-to-USB by itself(plugging PS/2 kb into USB), that also work fine.

However, converting from AT, all the way to USB, doesn't work. :( I'm guessing it takes a magic combination of adapters for this to work.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 24 November 2009, 13:30:56
Keyboard -> Passive AT-PS/2 adapter -> Good PS/2-USB adapter -> Computer

Works fine with my Model F using either a Belkin or Bytecc BT-2000 adapter with any computer I've used it with.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ocdonkb on Tue, 24 November 2009, 13:50:16
cool, guess it's time to shop for another PS/2-USB adapter.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: chimera15 on Tue, 24 November 2009, 15:32:18
I think it's true.  Some usb/ps2 adapters don't like certain keyboards.   Sometimes it's subtle, with some of my siigs for instance, some adapters result in the keyboard powering on and off occasionally.  Other times, the adapters don't recognize certain keys, for instance, they won't accept a Japanese layout/driver.  I guess it's possible that this one just doesn't like the focus board.  It might be power requirements.  There was a thread that dealt with different adapters.  Not sure if they ever pinpointed the best adapter that will work with every keyboard or not.

Oh I guess they decided the "blue cube" was.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: Rajagra on Tue, 24 November 2009, 15:58:33
My 1992 Model M works with that adapter, via a powered USB hub. Are you connecting to an unpowered hub? Try going straight to a motherboard USB connector.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ocdonkb on Tue, 24 November 2009, 16:16:14
I'm connecting it straight to the USB port on the computer.

Also, just placed an order at Cyberguys.com for the "Blue Cube" adapter. We'll see how this goes. geekhack hype wins again.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ricercar on Tue, 24 November 2009, 16:22:16
Good idea. My blue cubes came today. 100% satisfied.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: keyb_gr on Wed, 25 November 2009, 04:06:36
Another "WFM" here - I have a whole bunch of DIN-equipped boards and DIN-PS/2 adapters and no issues with my Belkin (on an unpowered USB hub - i.e. powered with no PSU connected - no less).
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ocdonkb on Wed, 25 November 2009, 11:48:09
Just to be sure, the Belkin adapter you guys mentioned, is it this one?

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417KJ94FERL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: 42.tar.gz on Wed, 25 November 2009, 12:14:19
Quote from: ocdonkb;136231
Just to be sure, the Belkin adapter you guys mentioned, is it this one?
[image]

No, it's from Hama. The Belkin adapter looks like this:
(http://pic.leech.it/i/6a2f0/bb7195c314ks9kkhf.jpg)

Works great with an old Cherry G80-3000 over an AT-to-PS/2-Adapter.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ak_nala on Thu, 26 November 2009, 04:19:03
My Belkin works fine with Macs, but then mine (Belkin Model F5U119-E) says it's the same chip as the Blue Cube when I check it out on System Profiler.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 26 November 2009, 04:46:22
Quote from: ripster;136248
Just to make things MORE confusing there are TWO Belkin Adapters out there.  Another. (http://www.amazon.com/USB-PS2-Adapter-SOK-2XMINIDIN6/product-reviews/B000ELSXFY/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending)  $21.  Blue cube is $7, more in ROW.

This new model must be phasing out the old.  Don't know if it got better.

Could also be a duplicate listing, there are many on Amazon. The pic is the same in any case.

I just tried finding a category for these adapters at the Belkin website - unsuccessfully. What junk.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ocdonkb on Tue, 01 December 2009, 00:07:24
An update:

Today I received the Blue Cube from cyberguys. And yes, as if by magic, the Focus 2001 works now. Now I'll probably have to get another one for spare. :)

oh, just found that it works on my Mac-mini too!
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 02 December 2009, 19:11:43
I want to get a blue cube for my M5-2 so the trackball works better.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: mikeruth on Wed, 03 March 2010, 13:48:18
ocdonkb,

I too have a FOCUS 2001 (actually more than one) and I tried to find the the "Blue Cube" on Cyberguys.com.  I did not see it.  What actually is a "blue cube"?
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: pfink on Wed, 03 March 2010, 14:09:36
Quote from: mikeruth;161677
ocdonkb,

I too have a FOCUS 2001 (actually more than one) and I tried to find the the "Blue Cube" on Cyberguys.com.  I did not see it.  What actually is a "blue cube"?


http://www.cyberguys.com/product-details/?productid=4850
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 03 March 2010, 14:33:58
The SGI AT-101 (and presumably the original Dell AT-101 and others) cause the blue cube to **** themselves out. The Belkin ones support them a bit better, but still reset every once in a while.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: keyb_gr on Wed, 03 March 2010, 16:20:58
With problematic boards one should try squinting at the LEDs when typing. (Those obviously have to be illuminated, Num Lock alone should do.) If they flicker even slightly, chances are it's a power-related problem. Either the board is just a power hog or the electrolytic buffer capacitors are dead or insufficient to begin with. (We're dealing with electronic devices close to 20 years of age after all.) My KB-5182 seems to be such a case - I wouldn't mind if it didn't reset once in a while, dropping about 3 characters in a row, which is very annoying.
Title: Re: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 03 March 2010, 19:37:59
I've noticed that when I've booted into X my scroll lock light will not turn on at all (not that
I really use it though). Without X it works fine.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: mrbill on Thu, 04 March 2010, 09:42:49
I've had good luck with this Sabrent USB-to-PS2 adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007UW0YM

$6
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: cchan on Thu, 04 March 2010, 11:28:02
Quote from: microsoft windows;138188
I want to get a blue cube for my M5-2 so the trackball works better.
The Blue Cube is a keyboard only adapter.

As far as combo adapters I would recommend the Ziotek one available at cyberguys.com. It has worked well with my Cherry MX8100 and MX11900.

The only thing is that I had to set the keystroke sequence delay while executing programmable keystrokes on the 8100 - 20ms is slow enough for the adapter to handle, while whatever it was before, isn't slow enough, resulting in dropped keystrokes.

That has been no issue at all for me in normal typing, and I type ~75wpm.
Title: AT keyboard to USB
Post by: InSanCen on Fri, 05 March 2010, 01:36:43
An a recommendation for EU based people wanting the dual Keyboard and Mouse adaptors would be the one that Bruce at The Keyboard Co sells. Works perfectly on my M13 (Using it now).