USB to PS/2 adapter?

[nerp]

Sorry if this has been discussed already, but I did a search and all I could come up with is discussion about PS/2 to USB adapters.

I'm looking for a reliable USB to PS/2 adapter that will work with my Customizer 101. The USB ports on the particular machine are messed up and the motherboard has an issue. The keyboard works fine but as part of my troubleshooting (not sure if the unit needs a better PSU or a new mobo) I'd like to use PS/2 to use less USB ports to see if I can resolve the issue that way.

What should I look for? Are there any models that are known to work with Unicomps and Model Ms?

[CX23882]

Do you mean an adapter that allows a USB keyboard to be used with a PS/2 port on the motherboard? I'm not aware of the existence of these.

The only ones that do exist are designed for keyboards that themselves support both PS/2 and USB, and simply connect up the appropriate pins. I asked on here whether the Unicomp boards support PS/2 over their USB connector and the answer was "no".

[ch_123]

If it's only for troubleshooting purposes, even if such an adaptor existed, it would probably be more expensive than buying a cheap native PS/2 keyboard.

[ricercar]

There exist purple USB->PS2 dongles that look just like the green ones that ship with MS USB mice. i have one that has functioned properly with all USB keyboards tested to date (E.G. specifically works as expected with multiple USB keyboards aside from the one it shipped with).

If this is a rare and special item, I'll get a pinout, check it for logic.

YMMV.

EDIT: As learned on Mad About You: "Wrong, so wrong, I could not have been so wrong, as usual." (See following)

[huha]

There exist purple USB->PS2 dongles that look just like the green ones that ship with MS USB mice. i have one that has functioned properly with all USB keyboards tested to date (E.G. specifically works as expected with multiple USB keyboards aside from the one it shipped with).

If this is a rare and special item, I'll get a pinout, check it for logic.

YMMV.

It's just a standard adapter. No logic, just swaps the power supply pins; when the keyboard controller sees this, it boots in PS/2 mode. If the keyboard controller doesn't support it, it won't do anything.

-huha

[pfink]

Sorry if this has been discussed already, but I did a search and all I could come up with is discussion about PS/2 to USB adapters.

I'm looking for a reliable USB to PS/2 adapter that will work with my Customizer 101. The USB ports on the particular machine are messed up and the motherboard has an issue. The keyboard works fine but as part of my troubleshooting (not sure if the unit needs a better PSU or a new mobo) I'd like to use PS/2 to use less USB ports to see if I can resolve the issue that way.

What should I look for? Are there any models that are known to work with Unicomps and Model Ms?

I don't know how reliable they are but TigerDirect sells one for $5.99:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2380045&CatId=469

and NewEgg's got one for $3.99:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200272

[ricercar]

I'm wrong. I tested this purple adapter on all my current USB keyboards and none operated. Ignore my previous post unless there's an opening for village idiot.

If you come to the SF Bay, the beer's on me.

[nerp]

So it looks like the Unicomps won't play nice with the adapters. That's OK, I guess. I've pretty much boiled down my problem to a flaky motherboard. I think I'm just going to abandon these enthusiast boards (I don't overclock, so there's really no point) and get a solid Intel motherboard. I'd like a couple extra SATA ports (only have four right now) so this is a decent opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

[Lenny_Nero]

I thought the main point for using a PS/2 keyboard, apart from larger rollover is that they can be seen via the BIOS and other things that do not have some sort of USB daemon/service running. I dont run many/any newer windows installs, in fact I just got an XP box running in that last month apart from that the only windows boxes I have are win 2000.

The Unix and Linux boxes have problems with USB keyboards until the OS is fully running, but then even the XP box sometimes has problems seeing my Viglen/any PS/2 thru the KVM (all my KVM switches are PS/2) and will not load the drivers and I have to go and plug a PS/2 into the back of it and reboot ...some what of a pain.

I hope PS/2 is not going to fade into the past, but then as a user that does not have a box without a standard floppy drive and use CRT for my main monitors it could be said that I am lagging behind some what

Would this be the dongle ?

[o2dazone]

I can't tell you how many of those I have laying around from peripherals that survived the ps2 -> usb transition back in the late 90s

[IBI]

I thought the main point for using a PS/2 keyboard, apart from larger rollover is that they can be seen via the BIOS and other things that do not have some sort of USB daemon/service running. I dont run many/any newer windows installs, in fact I just got an XP box running in that last month apart from that the only windows boxes I have are win 2000.

The Unix and Linux boxes have problems with USB keyboards until the OS is fully running, but then even the XP box sometimes has problems seeing my Viglen/any PS/2 thru the KVM (all my KVM switches are PS/2) and will not load the drivers and I have to go and plug a PS/2 into the back of it and reboot ...some what of a pain.

Well whether a keyboard can be seen before the OS boots have nothing to do with the OS (obviously), most newish motherboards will recognise a USB keyboard in the bios though.

As far as I know the only disadvantage USB has compared to PS/2 for keyboards is that it can only handle 6 non-modifier keys at once, which can be a disadvantage if you want to game with both hands on the keyboard.