THE CHEAPEST usb adapter working with Model M's!

[IBI]

My point is that nobody has found a configuration yet that the Blue Cube DOESN'T work in.

Actually, it appears it may not work on an SGI AT101:
http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=94209&postcount=42

[skriefal]

I too had a keyboard that wouldn't work with the "blue cube", but which did work with other cheap adapters (incl. the BT-1000, IIRC).  It might have been my SGI AT-101, but unfortunately I don't recall for certain.

[skriefal]

Everybody might have to order a handful of all the different dongles out there.

This is a good choice for keyboard fanatics.  The dongles are cheap if ordered from the "right" sellers (e.g. Monoprice, Dealxtreme, etc) so $20 or so is sufficient to keep your parts drawer stocked with four or five different adapters.  And the "blue cube" should probably be one of them.

[CX23882]

The Belkin F5U119E works quite well. My Unicomp Customizer had issues with the "blue cube" type adapter but worked almost-ok with the Belkin. Very occasionally it would suffer a stuck Shift key during gaming, but that never occured when typing normally IIRC. This was through a KVM switch too - an added complication.

I wish that I still had it so that I could test it with my SGI AT101 (with which the blue cube fails) but I sold it some time ago (either with the Unicomp board or my old KVM IIRC). The blue cube is a fairly safe bet, unless you have the SGI AT101 (the Dell AT101W works fine). My Unicomp Customizer (105-key ISO model with Windows keys) worked almost okay, but not sufficiently well to use day-to-day.

One thing to watch out for the lack of support for the additional key on ISO keyboards.  I originally bought a cheap unbranded beige coloured adapter from eBay and it worked very well except for it didn't support the \ key at all. Both the Belkin and the blue cube had no issues with that. Some of them can be switched to support ISO layouts from the default ANSI by entering a special key sequence, but I could never find the commands to type in on my model.

[zwmalone]

That might explain the Blue Cube problems with the Unicomp.  Sounded specific as well (not a QC problem) so I'm not writing ol' Blue off yet.

Here's the cheapest I found the Belkin.  $21 with shipping.

Cruising Amazon reviews it doesn't sound like ANY of these dongles are 100% bulletproof.  A few incompatibilities reported on the Monoprice one here.  Overall it does look like a good one to throw in your next cable order.

I have that belkin.  If you're stateside, you can pick it up at your local walmart for around $16.

[IBI]

Cruising Amazon reviews it doesn't sound like ANY of these dongles are 100% bulletproof.

This one looks pretty interesting, as it claims to support a wide range of ps/2 devices designed for the keyboard port it may do well with unusual keyboards. Amazon appear to have the same model for £25.

[huha]

Would the Belkin owners like to supply data for the wiki?


As for me, I lost an auction for a generic (but ISO capable, I had the seller check) adapter, so I bought three (ISO capable and not really expensive) Lindy adapters. Let's see how they'll fare.

-huha

[nowsharing]

Is it possible to run two PS2 keyboards simultaneously through adapters like the Belkin PS2-USB adapter, which adapts two PS2 (mouse & keyboard) to one USB plug? This would seem to be a nice feature for geekhackers, if the adapter itself works well.

[genegold]

The monoprice version is being sold as for mouse and keyboard in one USB.  Don't know if electrically that allows two keyboards instead, assuming the software allows it.

[IBI]

Is it possible to run two PS2 keyboards simultaneously through adapters like the Belkin PS2-USB adapter, which adapts two PS2 (mouse & keyboard) to one USB plug? This would seem to be a nice feature for geekhackers, if the adapter itself works well.

PS/2 mice ports won't support keyboards but there are a few adapters with two keyboard or two dual-purpose ports that might allow a couple of PS/2 keyboards, I guess it depends on how clever the adapter is as the PC just sees them as USB keyboards.

[zwmalone]

PS/2 mice ports won't support keyboards but there are a few adapters with two keyboard or two dual-purpose ports that might allow a couple of PS/2 keyboards, I guess it depends on how clever the adapter is as the PC just sees them as USB keyboards.

In linux they can...  I'm driving my Datalux in my mouse port and my omnikey in my keyboard port... I can check tomorrow to see if the belkin will do the same under linux...

[IBI]

IBM spent a lot of time writing that PS/2 spec and color coding the whole thing and you Linux guys can't resist breaking everything.

Actually, it was Intel and Microsoft who came up with the colour coding in 1997 so you can't really expect them to resist breaking that.

[nowsharing]

In linux they can...

More reasons to love linux. I'm running Mint Linux alongside Vista (bipolar much?), and will probably put eeebuntu on my netbook.

I bought a Belkin adapter on ebay for $5 shipped a few weeks back; I'll have access to it and 2 ps2 keyboards in late July, and will post my results.

[zwmalone]

The Belkin is confirmed working under linux 2.6.28-11-generic with 2 PS/2 keyboards

[Rajagra]

Item  330336307327 USB A Male to PS/2 Female PS2 Active Keyboard Adapter £5.48
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=330336307327

Just ordered one. I think I have some 2xPS/2 to USB convertors somewhere, but I may have left them at a former workplace. Never give your employer stuff, they won't thank you and one day you'll need it!

[nowsharing]

Is that when you're coming to the US?

That's when my friends arrive here with an i-rocks kr-6230 and a space-saver. I'll post the low-down on those in early August. I will have many write-ups and pics coming in Dec, when I'm back in the states for a month.

The Belkin is confirmed working under linux 2.6.28-11-generic with 2 PS/2 keyboards

:cheer2: linux :cheer2:

[CX23882]

I've been heavily using the "blue cube" with a Dell AT101W for a couple of days and so far it's been flawless. I haven't seen a single double, stuck or missed key-press.

The blue cube has serious issues with my SGI AT101, but perhaps there is a fault with the keyboard itself, I need to test it directly with another PC to know for sure.

As for the Belkin one - it worked reasonably well with the problematic Unicomp Customizer 105 (which didn't work with the blue cube reliably) except it would suffer from stuck CTRL or SHIFT keys (can't remember which). It never occured when typing but it did happen when gaming, presumably due to having the keys held.

[Special K]

As long as you're getting the Blue Cube I'm happy.

My point is that nobody has found a configuration yet that the Blue Cube DOESN'T work in.  Buy a handful and amortize that shipping.  Model M's - nobody just buys one.
Plus, it's by far the best looking of the bunch.

Show Image

And if someone finds a cheap international source I'll even be happier.

So do you just keep one of the blue cubes attached to each of your PS/2 keyboards?  It seems like you could get by with just one blue cube, given that there's no reason to have more than one keyboard plugged into your system at a time.  Just pull off the blue cube and put it on a different keyboard whenever you want to switch.

I suppose the usefulness of having multiple blue cubes depends on how often you switch keyboards, and how much it bothers you to move the adapter from one keyboard to another.

[Special K]

By the way, I found the best solution.

Link.

Show Image

It's a direct hardware connection for your keyboard, so you don't get a repeat rate delay or a limit to your rollover (I know I do with mine at least).


Now if only PCs still had ISA slots, then we could get true native PS/2 cards.

Isn't the rollover limit a function of the keyboard's circuitry/layout and not the port itself?

Also that newegg review said you can't use the keyboard in the BIOS through that adapter.

[Special K]

Also another quick question - if I plug the blue cube into a USB port, will it block any neighboring USB ports on either side?

[DrunkenDonut]

I have a 6" version of that cable. It's quite handy for blue cubes and some fat USB flash drives when you have to cram them into small spaces. I wish I had a couple more.

[Rajagra]

I have a 6" version of that cable. It's quite handy for blue cubes and some fat USB flash drives when you have to cram them into small spaces. I wish I had a couple more.

I bought a bunch of them, around 18" I think, they are also great for hard to reach USB ports, e.g. back of PCs under desks or even screens with built-in USB hubs.

[DrunkenDonut]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.. I have a few ports and a card reader on the backside of my screen which I never use. I guess one day I could plug it in.

[Hazelesque]

I noticed that there didn't seem to be any mention in this thread of a UK supplier of the Blue Cube PS/2-USB signal converter, so I thought I would share this with you.

Videk appear to sell the same part under the part code 2482E, both directly and through the resellers Insight UK, PC World Business and MicroWarehouse, at a price varying from 8 to 15 GBP. Links at the bottom of this post.

I have asked the departmental sysadmins to order one for me, and we shall see if it is indeed the same part, and how well it works. I shall report back when I have first-hand experience.


Kind Regards

Hazel


Links:

http://www.videkonline.co.uk/pages/SubSections.aspx?ChapterID=1&SectionID=10#2482E

http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?product_id=VDK2482E

http://www.pcwb.co.uk/catalogue/item/VIDUSB57

http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk/catalogue/item/VIDUSB57

[J888www]

Videkonline.co.uk is about the cheapest retailer selling the Blue Cube in UK or Europe. I purchased two, its exactly the same as from ClickyKeyboards. You also receive a nice email thanking you for purchasing their product from a Karen Buckle, I wonder if she's chuffed that I just plastered her identity on this site.