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Author Topic: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...  (Read 6825 times)

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Offline kleme

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About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:29:58 »
Do I need to get a ps2 to usb converter? I think there is one on the back of my motherboard (its half purple and half green and looks the exact same as the input for ps2)

Would that be fine?
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Offline Pacifist

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:31:16 »
Which M?
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Offline regack

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:31:32 »
Quote from: kleme on Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:29:58
Do I need to get a ps2 to usb converter? I think there is one on the back of my motherboard (its half purple and half green and looks the exact same as the input for ps2)

Would that be fine?

My experience is that for the Model M those don't work.  The only PS/2 -> USB convert I've had success with, is commonly referred to as the 'blue cube'.  I found one on amazon : http://www.amazon.com/PS2-Keyboard-To-USB-Adapter/dp/B000BSJFJS
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Offline Pacifist

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:35:03 »
Quote from: kleme on Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:29:58
Do I need to get a ps2 to usb converter? I think there is one on the back of my motherboard (its half purple and half green and looks the exact same as the input for ps2)

Would that be fine?

Those new Mouse+Keyboard PS2 ports should work fine. If not, get the ID inovations from mkawa
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Offline Smasher816

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:39:42 »
Quote from: kleme on Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:29:58
I think there is one on the back of my motherboard (its half purple and half green and looks the exact same as the input for ps2)

I believe Kleme is talking about this



Traditionally motherboards have had a purple and green ps2 port for the keyboard and mouse. Since PS2 is less popular now most boards only have one (if they have one at all). The split color is just for looks and helps those who relied on color coating for their old cables.



tl;dr I believe you have a normal ps2 port and should not need a usb converter.
« Last Edit: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:43:22 by Smasher816 »
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Offline regack

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:54:06 »
Quote from: Smasher816 on Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:39:42
Quote from: kleme on Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:29:58
I think there is one on the back of my motherboard (its half purple and half green and looks the exact same as the input for ps2)

I believe Kleme is talking about this

Show Image


Traditionally motherboards have had a purple and green ps2 port for the keyboard and mouse. Since PS2 is less popular now most boards only have one (if they have one at all). The split color is just for looks and helps those who relied on color coating for their old cables.

Show Image


tl;dr I believe you have a normal ps2 port and should not need a usb converter.

Ahh, yes, I haven't seen that before.  That shouldn't need the converter.  I thought this was in reference to those blue/purple usb-ps/2 converter thingies...
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Offline 1pq

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 22:18:54 »
If you're asking about the Model M that I'm selling, it's PS/2, but if you have a PS/2 port in the back of your motherboard, you should be good to go without any converter :thumb:
If you only have USB ports, you'd need a USB to PS/2 adapter. You can easily get one for $5 or less on amazon, newegg, etc.
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Offline 1pq

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 22:21:13 »
Quote from: regack on Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:31:32
Quote from: kleme on Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:29:58
Do I need to get a ps2 to usb converter? I think there is one on the back of my motherboard (its half purple and half green and looks the exact same as the input for ps2)

Would that be fine?

My experience is that for the Model M those don't work.  The only PS/2 -> USB convert I've had success with, is commonly referred to as the 'blue cube'.  I found one on amazon : http://www.amazon.com/PS2-Keyboard-To-USB-Adapter/dp/B000BSJFJS

The one that I'm selling (which I believe the OP is interested in--he's PMed me about it) works fine with a USB adapter that I bought on amazon. I can only speak for mine though; idk if certain other Ms don't work with certain adapters.
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Offline spuriousgeorge

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 22:31:22 »
No need for a converter if you have a PS2 port.

If you don't have a PS2 port, you will need a converter, in which case the blue cube is a good bet.

I just bought one of these cables (http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-to-SDL-6-Pin-6ft-IBM-Lexmark-Unicomp-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-Cable-NEW-/271367683396?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f2ec63d44); they're said to be excellent.
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Offline spuriousgeorge

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 22:32:27 »
Enjoy your M!
« Last Edit: Wed, 19 February 2014, 22:40:50 by spuriousgeorge »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 06:33:20 »
I have never understood the fascination with blue cubes. Mine have always worked fine with el cheapo PS/2-to-USB adapters from ebay.

Orihalcon's cables are pricey but very nice. That is the way to go.

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"Starting in 2011, the deficits again started to shrink. During Obama’s term  the deficit was reduced by $900 Billion  before finally in 2015 the GOP managed to wrangle a “reconciliation” bill out of Obama where he again cut corporate taxes, as well as made permanent some of George W. Bush’s original tax cuts. This is the year everything reversed. Before this, under Clinton, Bush and Obama the deficit in almost every year was gradually decreasing. The balance we had of taxes and the economy was bringing the deficit down, the money coming in was slowly catching up with the money going out until 2015. Trump’s subsequent tax cut has continued the new trend even after the rest of Bush’s cuts have since expired. Obama had an average GDP of 2.3%, with 11.6 million jobs created and unemployment peaking at 10% in 2009, then falling to 4.3% in 2016. If we had continued on that downward deficit track, we would have again reached balance and another surplus in 2017-2018.
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Offline spuriousgeorge

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 09:49:07 »
Are the blue cubes nothing special, fohat?

I only mentioned them because everyone else always mentions them.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 13:39:17 »
Quote from: spuriousgeorge on Thu, 20 February 2014, 09:49:07
Are the blue cubes nothing special, fohat?


I have no idea, I have never owned one. But I know that they cost $10-20 and I have not had occasion to pay that much.
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"Starting in 2011, the deficits again started to shrink. During Obama’s term  the deficit was reduced by $900 Billion  before finally in 2015 the GOP managed to wrangle a “reconciliation” bill out of Obama where he again cut corporate taxes, as well as made permanent some of George W. Bush’s original tax cuts. This is the year everything reversed. Before this, under Clinton, Bush and Obama the deficit in almost every year was gradually decreasing. The balance we had of taxes and the economy was bringing the deficit down, the money coming in was slowly catching up with the money going out until 2015. Trump’s subsequent tax cut has continued the new trend even after the rest of Bush’s cuts have since expired. Obama had an average GDP of 2.3%, with 11.6 million jobs created and unemployment peaking at 10% in 2009, then falling to 4.3% in 2016. If we had continued on that downward deficit track, we would have again reached balance and another surplus in 2017-2018.
– Frank V Walton 2025-07-01

Offline spuriousgeorge

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 13:46:35 »
I guess the other reason I recommended the blue cube is that Clicky Keyboards, which sells more M's than anyone, is big on it and sells it exclusively.

But  if there's something that works equally well and costs less that's the way to go.

I defer to fohat.  ;D ;D
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 14:00:31 »
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"Starting in 2011, the deficits again started to shrink. During Obama’s term  the deficit was reduced by $900 Billion  before finally in 2015 the GOP managed to wrangle a “reconciliation” bill out of Obama where he again cut corporate taxes, as well as made permanent some of George W. Bush’s original tax cuts. This is the year everything reversed. Before this, under Clinton, Bush and Obama the deficit in almost every year was gradually decreasing. The balance we had of taxes and the economy was bringing the deficit down, the money coming in was slowly catching up with the money going out until 2015. Trump’s subsequent tax cut has continued the new trend even after the rest of Bush’s cuts have since expired. Obama had an average GDP of 2.3%, with 11.6 million jobs created and unemployment peaking at 10% in 2009, then falling to 4.3% in 2016. If we had continued on that downward deficit track, we would have again reached balance and another surplus in 2017-2018.
– Frank V Walton 2025-07-01

Offline Pacifist

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 14:47:07 »
I use a belkin PS2 to USB converter. Its a specific model that is active instead of passive. I got it from ebay from a guy who stockpiled them and selling them for $15 shipped
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Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 14:59:03 »
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Offline E TwentyNine

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #17 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 16:46:19 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Thu, 20 February 2014, 06:33:20
I have never understood the fascination with blue cubes. Mine have always worked fine with el cheapo PS/2-to-USB adapters from ebay.

Orihalcon's cables are pricey but very nice. That is the way to go.

I was fine with the cheaper converter (the same one everyone else has) until I think about 5 years ago when I got a new laptop and I'd start losing keystrokes.  Got a bluecube and things cleared right up.

Really depends on the hardware.  The bluecube *is* a better device than the cheap crap, but may be overkill.   Try the cheap one, if it doesn't work, get a bluecube.  It's worth risking the buck...
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: About to buy a IBM Model M Online, quick question...
« Reply #18 on: Thu, 20 February 2014, 16:59:00 »
Quote from: E TwentyNine on Thu, 20 February 2014, 16:46:19
Really depends on the hardware.  The bluecube *is* a better device than the cheap crap, but may be overkill.   Try the cheap one, if it doesn't work, get a bluecube.  It's worth risking the buck...

It is certainly worth risking the buck.

And, at the other end of the scale, Orihalcon's cables are still $30, but they really are nice. Simple, clean, handsome, all-in-one.
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"Starting in 2011, the deficits again started to shrink. During Obama’s term  the deficit was reduced by $900 Billion  before finally in 2015 the GOP managed to wrangle a “reconciliation” bill out of Obama where he again cut corporate taxes, as well as made permanent some of George W. Bush’s original tax cuts. This is the year everything reversed. Before this, under Clinton, Bush and Obama the deficit in almost every year was gradually decreasing. The balance we had of taxes and the economy was bringing the deficit down, the money coming in was slowly catching up with the money going out until 2015. Trump’s subsequent tax cut has continued the new trend even after the rest of Bush’s cuts have since expired. Obama had an average GDP of 2.3%, with 11.6 million jobs created and unemployment peaking at 10% in 2009, then falling to 4.3% in 2016. If we had continued on that downward deficit track, we would have again reached balance and another surplus in 2017-2018.
– Frank V Walton 2025-07-01
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