is my keyboard dead... din to ps2 to usb adapter questions

[hlehmann]

Hi, Another noob question i'm sure.

I picked up a moretec keyboard at a junkshop for 5 pounds (already searched this keyboard and OEM seems to be Oretek with white alps).

Keyboard has a 5 pin Din cable, so I deftly bought a din to ps2 cable and then a ps2 to usb (you know the green ones).

I plug in the keyboard, and the three lights flash once.  Keyboard is not registering at all after that.  I'm attempting to attach it to my work lenovo W520 laptop (although may end up using it on my desktop when my model M arrives.

Question is do I need an active USB adapter?  I've read something around the Cube adapter, and search on this forum turns up too many results not on this topic specifically.

Any advice about best ways to get a PS2 keyboard to work via USB guaranteed?  Don't to waste more money in rip off maplin than I need to.

 

[RickyJ]

Yes you need an active adapter.  Keyboards that support PS/2 and USB have both types of communications built into the keyboard controller.  USB is a host/slave system, and pre-USB keyboards don't know how to say "Yes, Master!"

[hlehmann]

recommendation ?  Are they all the same, or is there a preferred model?

Thanks

[rowdy]

Order one of these: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39715.0

And help us reach the MOQ

[hlehmann]

I've put my name down for 2, with the note that it would depend on the international postage costs.

I'm thinking somewhere in my draws at work I have an old "extender" for a different ibm (pre lenovo) laptop, somewhere inside my head I remember these having ps2 ports along with monitor and usb ports, as a sort of quick release docking station.  Although its been a while so I could be mad.

Back at work tomorrow so will have a dig around - or peruse the local IT department for a scrape around.  Theres always the e-waste buildup in the carpark if things get too desperate.  Joy of working at Cisco is that theres always some IT crap going begging if you want out of date networking gubbins.

Ebayer says they are posting the model M tomorrow, need to sort this out.

[hlehmann]

ok keyboard works fine when using belkin adapter (-E) - thanks to posts on here recommending it.

Noteworthy that it fails to work on my wifes inspiron laptop, but is 100% on my Lenovo thinkpad and desktop, as i'll never use it on my wifes laptop it doesnt bother me.

Concern is that in the future some keyboards will cease to work on some computers... just one more thing for me to consider sigh..