Author Topic: How many different kind on connectors are there for a keyboard? (Read 4373 times)

watduzhkstand4 · « **on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 10:30:21 »

I know PS2 and USB. But I've seen listings say like 5 pin, 6 pin, AT, RJ-25 etc...
Can someone please list them out?
I don't want to get confused because I'm newbie =P

Also, are there adapters to change them into a USB or PS2?

Thanks!

Manyak · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 10:49:29 »

For PC keyboards there are four: AT, 5-pin PS/2, 6-pin PS/2, and USB

As for the really old non-x86 computers, I have no idea how many different ones there are. Each manufacturer used a different proprietary connection back then.

watduzhkstand4 · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 10:53:34 »

Quote from: Manyak;95189

For PC keyboards there are four: AT, 5-pin PS/2, 6-pin PS/2, and USB

As for the really old non-x86 computers, I have no idea how many different ones there are. Each manufacturer used a different proprietary connection back then.

wait so the 5 pin and the 6 pin will work on our computer's ps2 connector?

itlnstln · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 10:57:14 »

Quote from: watduzhkstand4;95191

wait so the 5 pin and the 6 pin will work on our computer's ps2 connector?

The 5-pin is the same protocol as the PS2, so it's easily adaptable. The 6-pin is PS2. Both can be adapted to USB (AT to PS2 to USB).

itlnstln · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 11:00:09 »

You should be OK with anything that says AT, PS2 or USB. AT and PS2 are easily adpatable to USB. With AT, you will have to adapt to PS2 first, but since it's the same protocol as PS2, adapting is trivial.

watduzhkstand4 · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 11:03:09 »

Quote from: itlnstln;95194

You should be OK with anything that says AT, PS2 or USB. AT and PS2 are easily adpatable to USB. With AT, you will have to adapt to PS2 first, but since it's the same protocol as PS2, adapting is trivial.

the AT connector looks just like a bigger PS2 connector right?

Something like this should work fine?
http://cgi.ebay.com/PS-2-Male-to-AT-Female-Keyboard-Converter-Adapter_W0QQitemZ350201047696QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVideo_Games_Accessories?hash=item51899bea90&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A4|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A200

Manyak · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 11:07:25 »

Quote from: watduzhkstand4;95191

wait so the 5 pin and the 6 pin will work on our computer's ps2 connector?

Technically only the 6 pin, but really both will. The 5-pin plug won't fit because the little plastic piece in the middle isn't positioned the same, and the wires are switched around. But you can use a passive adapter for it just like with an AT plug.

watduzhkstand4 · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 11:16:33 »

I can't seem to find the 5 pin female to 6 pin male. I found this though but I don't think it will help. =(
http://cgi.ebay.com/PS-2-6-Pin-Mini-DIN-Female-to-5-Pin-DIN-Male-Adapter_W0QQitemZ220380681421QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Cables_Adapters?hash=item334fb654cd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A4|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A200

IBI · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 11:18:30 »

Quote from: watduzhkstand4;95198

I can't seem to find the 5 pin female to 6 pin male. I found this though but I don't think it will help. =(
http://cgi.ebay.com/PS-2-6-Pin-Mini-DIN-Female-to-5-Pin-DIN-Male-Adapter_W0QQitemZ220380681421QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Cables_Adapters?hash=item334fb654cd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A4|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A200

Try a normal shop.

AT is also called DIN and PS/2 is also called Mini-DIN.

ch_123 · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 11:19:53 »

The RJ jacks and serial cables were popular on old terminal keyboards and the like. There are a bunch of proprietary designs around as well, the most common being ADB (old apple mouse+keyboard) and the Sun one, both of which look like PS/2 connectors but are incompatible (although there are ADB to USB adaptors available)

watduzhkstand4 · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 11:26:31 »

Quote from: IBI;95199

Try a normal shop.

AT is also called DIN and PS/2 is also called Mini-DIN.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PS-2-Male-to-AT-Female-Keyboard-Converter-Adapter_W0QQitemZ350201047696QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVideo_Games_Accessories?hash=item51899bea90&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A4|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A200

that should work

watduzhkstand4 · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 11:30:57 »

Quote from: ch_123;95200

The RJ jacks and serial cables were popular on old terminal keyboards and the like. There are a bunch of proprietary designs around as well, the most common being ADB (old apple mouse+keyboard) and the Sun one, both of which look like PS/2 connectors but are incompatible (although there are ADB to USB adaptors available)

I guess I'm gonna just stay with the 5 pin, 6 pin, and usb lol

D-EJ915 · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 10 June 2009, 15:37:57 »

if it doesn't fit in a PS/2 it's not a PS/2 connector lol

Hak Foo · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 12 June 2009, 00:10:19 »

The ADB and Sun cables are mini-DIN plugs, but different pin counts. ADB is 4-pin, I think, and Sun is like 8 or 9 pins.

Manyak · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 12 June 2009, 00:14:46 »

Quote from: D-EJ915;95262

if it doesn't fit in a PS/2 it's not a PS/2 connector lol

But there are two PS/2 connectors. At a glance they look the same, but one has 5 pins (the bottom-right one is missing) and the plastic tab in the middle is more centered - and therefore won't fit on today's PS/2 ports.

The wires are also arranged differently, so even if you broke off the plastic tab to fit it it still won't work - you'd have to strip the insulation off the cable and rewire it.

ricercar · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 12 June 2009, 00:35:54 »

My AT connector Kinesis Contour came with both of these PS/2 adapters. I had one bad afternoon before I determined what was going on.

D-EJ915 · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 12 June 2009, 13:35:55 »

Quote from: Manyak;95636

But there are two PS/2 connectors. At a glance they look the same, but one has 5 pins (the bottom-right one is missing) and the plastic tab in the middle is more centered - and therefore won't fit on today's PS/2 ports.

The wires are also arranged differently, so even if you broke off the plastic tab to fit it it still won't work - you'd have to strip the insulation off the cable and rewire it.

uhh that means it's not a PS/2 connector...don't see how you're missing this fact

Quote from: Hak Foo;95635

The ADB and Sun cables are mini-DIN plugs, but different pin counts. ADB is 4-pin, I think, and Sun is like 8 or 9 pins.

Yep sun is 8 pins and ADB is s-video

Manyak · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 12 June 2009, 17:53:16 »

Quote from: D-EJ915;95738

uhh that means it's not a PS/2 connector...don't see how you're missing this fact
Yep sun is 8 pins and ADB is s-video

Then what is it?

D-EJ915 · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 12 June 2009, 21:32:05 »

Quote from: Manyak;95834

Then what is it?

mini-din unless they want to call it something special. the only reason the 'PS/2 connector' is the 'PS/2 connector' is because it specifies what the pins do, otherwise it's just a mini-din connector.

Manyak · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 12 June 2009, 21:42:44 »

Quote from: D-EJ915;95879

mini-din unless they want to call it something special. the only reason the 'PS/2 connector' is the 'PS/2 connector' is because it specifies what the pins do, otherwise it's just a mini-din connector.

Even the PS/2 connector is called a mini-din.

But what would a 5 pin DIN to 5 pin mini-DIN adapter be used for?

genegold · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 12 June 2009, 23:51:47 »

Quote from: watduzhkstand4;95202

http://cgi.ebay.com/PS-2-Male-to-AT-Female-Keyboard-Converter-Adapter_W0QQitemZ350201047696QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVideo_Games_Accessories?hash=item51899bea90&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A4|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A200

that should work

You might ask at monoprice.com and send the ebay link. The closest I saw was http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10416&cs_id=1041601&p_id=1173&seq=1&format=2
and mDIN male/female cables

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Author Topic: How many different kind on connectors are there for a keyboard? (Read 4373 times)