Author Topic: USB to PS/2 adapter (Read 4701 times)

patrickgeekhack · « **on:** Fri, 30 October 2009, 21:43:42 »

I know that questions about USB to PS/2 adapters have been asked before, but mine is a little bit different. Now that I have bought a Compaq MX-11800, I'm a bit worried. I have this adapter. It works fine on my work desktop computer. I tried it with my AT101W. However, it does not work on my MacBook nor my Toshiba A3X. Do you guys know if these adapters work better with desktops than with notebooks? If this is the case, I will be able to use my MX-11800 at the office only and never at home since I don't have any desktop at home and I'm not planning in having any for a very very long time because I value portability even if I need it rarely.

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 30 October 2009, 23:29:26 »

Quote from: kishy;129493

Desktop vs Laptop shouldn't be an issue; in most cases they both use very much the same USB controller circuitry and root hub design. Unless both of your laptops have implemented some non-standard version of USB, every USB device (that is standards-compliant, mind you) will work on them.

Software support will be a potential issue. What is running on each of the systems in question? (work desktop, home Mac, home Toshiba)

Then we come back to that issue of standards compliance, and DX isn't necessarily the best place to find compliant hardware lol.

Work: Win XP
Home: MacBook OS X
Toshiba: Ubuntu

I know DX is not the best place, but it's hard to find them where I am :-)

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 30 October 2009, 23:30:09 »

Kishy: Do you have one? If yes, where did you get yours since you are in Ontario as well.

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 30 October 2009, 23:39:52 »

Quote from: kishy;129497

It's possible that WinXP is just being very forgiving with support for the device, or that OSX and Linux are just being difficult. Because this is Windows vs (non Windows) I'm going to say you might have a software problem.

Since I use Windows XP mainly I can't really tell you if my adapters work on any flavour of Linux or Mac, but the adapters I have are from assorted Hong Kong ebay sellers.

An example of one I would buy based on low price, free shipping, and mostly good experience so far using ones of a similar design would be this one, as an example. I have no clue what kind of standards-adherence these manufacturers follow.

Somewhere in the Wiki these things have been discussed in reasonable detail.

Could well be Windows vs Non-Windows. I will get one from the seller you listed. I will probably go to Canadacomputers tomorro and check the ones they currently have in Waterloo. I don't really like to buy from them because their return policy is not the greatest.

Rajagra · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 31 October 2009, 02:00:15 »

I've use a blue cube and two of the generic looking Y-shape convertors, and haven't had any problems so far.

Maybe I've been lucky, or maybe it's because I normally use a powered USB switch. I think power drain is often a factor with these things, and that may be an advantage of the blue cube which only has one port (keyboard only.)

keyb_gr · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 31 October 2009, 06:23:36 »

There have been reports of some USB adapters doing funny things under OS X, like go crazy on login. It's interesting that the existing adapter wouldn't work, since according to the Wiki it seems to be one with a Chesen chip. Mechanically this "rocket" is about the dumbest construction imaginable (think leverage), but electronically it should work no less well than my Belkin here.

Then again, I have not tested that one on anything other than Windows machines.

rdh · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 31 October 2009, 11:51:07 »

Quote from: patrickgeekhack;129498

Could well be Windows vs Non-Windows.

I'm using an adapter with the same Chesen vendor ID and product ID to type this on a Mac, and have used it also under Windows and Linux, so I'm not convinced your particular difficulties are OS issues. (It didn't work for me on an HP/UX workstation, though.)

Maybe Chesen has made more than one chipset that advertises the same ID numbers? The adapter I have does allow each connector to support a keyboard or mouse, like Kishy mentions.

Quote from: patrickgeekhack;129498

I will probably go to Canadacomputers tomorro and check the ones they currently have in Waterloo. I don't really like to buy from them because their return policy is not the greatest.

You might ask them if you can test in-store using your own machine(s) before buying.

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 31 October 2009, 14:20:30 »

I don't know what to think anymore. I ordered one from eBay. I'll see when it get here. My "rocket" worked once about 5 months ago. Then I never used it again only to find out that it does not want to work anymore on any of my home computer. I've tried to powered USB hub with no success. As long as I keep my MX-11800 at work, I should be fine, although it would be nice to be able to use it at home once in a while. This is one of the reasons why I try to get USB keyboards and only bought two PS/2 ones so far. I just don't want to spend too much time getting it to work.

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 31 October 2009, 21:51:45 »

Good news and bad news.

The good news is that I remembered that I ordered two of these adapters. The second one works with Windows 7 and Linux. I need to reboot my Mac to get it to work, but then I also remember that it did not play very nice with the Mac the last time. I have not retested it on my MacBook, but I will once I can restart it as I'm in the middle of something important now. I've ordered another adapter from the guy in Hong Kong on eBay, another "rocket" and another adapter from Deal Extreme. I'll see how they perform once they arrived.

The bad news is that it should not have died that easily.

JBert · « **Reply #9 on:** Sun, 01 November 2009, 14:15:45 »

The most interesting thing is that this adapter actually adapts PS/2 to USB despite the name of the product...

timw4mail · « **Reply #10 on:** Sun, 01 November 2009, 19:01:33 »

Quote from: kishy;129779

That depends on how you look at it.

I'd say it is providing a PS/2 port controller on a USB interface, thereby actually turning USB into PS/2.

Please don't make this more confusing than it already is...

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #11 on:** Sun, 01 November 2009, 21:09:10 »

Quote from: JBert;129775

The most interesting thing is that this adapter actually adapts PS/2 to USB despite the name of the product...

It all depends how you approach it. If you go from the keyboard to the computer, then yes it's PS/2 to USB. But, if you go from the computer, then the adapter is converting a USB port to a PS/2 port. As long as it works, who cares :-)

ricercar · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 02 November 2009, 01:39:21 »

I don't think it's universally so. Some minds adapt their computers to the keyboard and others adapt their keyboards to the computer. It's just as logical to say the USB host is being adapted as to say the PS2 device is being adapted. Depends on which one you plug the adapter into first. 50/50.

While I love a good quibble, I can't see either side being obviously preferable. USB/PS2 or PS2/USB? Is it really worth the time we've already given it?

YMMV. Mine does.

Rajagra · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 02 November 2009, 03:04:06 »

It's a bit like male to female adapters. They always describe them by what connectors are fitted rather than what they do. Very confusing. I always check a photo before ordering.

chuckading · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 02 November 2009, 09:50:56 »

Neither the USB controller or Keyboard are being converted. The keyboard still functions as a PS/2 device, and the USB port still functions as a USB device. A 3rd piece of hardware is being added, that being the dongle/converter. The signal though, is played with and altered within that convertor. The signal has a path. Which direction does the signal go? From the keyboard TO the computer, or the computer TO the keyboard?

Quote from: Rajagra;129861

I always check a photo before ordering.

That works only 50% of the time if the converter changes anything besides physical plugs. Recently in the news, there were a handful of morons trying to hook up a PS3 or similar to the new 27" iMac using apple's "mini displayport TO ______" adapters. Yes, the physical plugs should work, and someone could connect a PS3, or any computer with a VGA output to the new iMac to use it's 27" display, but it sure as **** won't work.

There is a logical way to name this device, and I find it funny that some geekhackers are having problems with this.

Viett · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 02 November 2009, 10:22:31 »

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.744

Under what conditions might a device like this work? It's obviously not a converter, so how might one use it as intended? Will it act as a PS/2 port, and if so, why is this type of adapter not ideal?

timw4mail · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 02 November 2009, 10:27:31 »

Quote from: Viett;129898

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.744

Show Image

Under what conditions might a device like this work? It's obviously not a converter, so how might one use it as intended? Will it act as a PS/2 port, and if so, why is this type of adapter not ideal?

Usually, the keyboard supports both USB and PS/2 with one of those adapters, the adapter just switches the controller to speak the other language.

keyb_gr · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 02 November 2009, 10:29:13 »

Quote from: timw4mail;129904

Usually, the keyboard supports both USB and PS/2 with one of those adapters, the adapter just switches the controller to speak the other language.

It's more common to have it the other way round though, i.e. USB plug on cable with an adapter attached for PS/2 use.

Viett · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 09:19:08 »

I bought that adapter (only $1), and I received it today. Doesn't work, even after restarting, with my IBM on any computer. I even tried it on computers that have PS/2 ports already to no avail.

It does seem to work when I plug my FILCO USB -> PS/2 adapter into it, but then it just reads like a regular USB device.

I don't have any PS/2 mice, otherwise I'd probably test them.

itlnstln · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 09:48:00 »

Trying lots of dongles might make you sick.

itlnstln · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 09:57:09 »

What are you talking about? They use lead solder in those dongles. It might make you sick.

You're gross, ripster.

arfink · « **Reply #21 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 12:36:49 »

Quote from: ripster;129875

How much time DO you guys want to spend worrying about a $6 item?

$6, I thought Clickeykeyboards had em for $15 plus the shipping ups it to almost $20. Where can you get the blue block for $6?

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 12:43:19 »

the only reason i havent ordered a blue cube yet is it does not look like it will take up only one USB port, the thing looks huge, i kind of want an adapter that is either small or cabled so that i can have 2 plugged in beside each other (or, well, ANYTHING plugged in beside it)

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #23 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 16:17:12 »

yeah, ive never sent anything back to DX

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 16:43:15 »

i was hoping you wouldnt suggest one of those...

went over to the ole DX to look for something
and look at THIS http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6640

itlnstln · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 16:45:16 »

Is that like a Cat5 Balun for USB, so you can run USB over Cat5 over long distances?

microsoft windows · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 16:46:09 »

Quote from: ripster;133817

Blue Cube solution if you don't have a lot of USB space (I usually just plug into my monitor).

Also Cyberguys
$2.69.

Show Image

Keep coming up with excuses NOT to use the Blue Cube. NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT LINK TO KINGDONG.COM!

You've got to remember that there are some guys like me who don't have a USB hub built into their monitor. (My monitor was made years before anyone had heard of USB)

But, I have over a million of those USB extenders. They come with everything in the world that's USB. They're great for having USB ports on the front of my computers.

itlnstln · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 16:46:16 »

Quote from: ripster;133817

NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT LINK TO KINGDONG.COM!

I can only imagine. Check that. I DON'T want to imagine that.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 18 November 2009, 16:50:01 »

Quote from: itlnstln;133824

Is that like a Cat5 Balun for USB, so you can run USB over Cat5 over long distances?

i dont know what a balun is, but yes
people on the reviews confirm insanely long usb cords
i dont know what to use it for but i want one

ive had a few monitors with USB, but never want to hook up the monitor-to-computer USB cable

itlnstln · « **Reply #29 on:** Thu, 19 November 2009, 07:45:30 »

Balun = Balanced to Unbalanced. It's a fancy Home Theater term for a device that extends a connection over Cat5 (in simple terms; it's a little more detailed than that).

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #30 on:** Thu, 19 November 2009, 09:43:56 »

Quote from: kishy;129497

An example of one I would buy based on low price, free shipping, and mostly good experience so far using ones of a similar design would be this one, as an example. I have no clue what kind of standards-adherence these manufacturers follow.

This one worked.

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #31 on:** Thu, 19 November 2009, 10:47:48 »

Quote from: ripster;134039

Well, technically one out of the two you had worked. 50% dropout rate. Pretty standard for DealXtreme. Order two of everything in an effort to save money.

The last one I got was not from DealXtreme.

keyb_gr · « **Reply #32 on:** Fri, 20 November 2009, 17:06:03 »

Quote from: itlnstln;134020

Balun = Balanced to Unbalanced. It's a fancy Home Theater term for a device that extends a connection over Cat5 (in simple terms; it's a little more detailed than that).

I'd rather say it's a fancy radio term - you need one when attaching a dipole or loop antenna (balanced) to coax (unbalanced), and all of these have been in use for a while. In any case it's a more or less wideband isolated transformer.

But why do you need one for USB, I thought that already uses differential signalling? Looked it up, apparently the characteristic impedance should be 90 ohms for differential mode. TP wiring is at like 150, so one basically needs a "balbal". I guess they call it a balun because that sounds less silly... (It is also common to refer to an "unun" as a balun.)

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #33 on:** Fri, 20 November 2009, 17:10:02 »

i thought it was more so that you could use your own 150' cable, since USB cables are generally not made that long
or for the richer folk, in-wall ethernet wiring

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #34 on:** Fri, 20 November 2009, 20:17:43 »

yes, it is
yes, it is simple
but sometimes you have to man up and pay somewhat realistic prices for DX stuff

it happens sometimes
you see a price that is GASP NORMAL TO ABOVE NORMAL, but not EXTREME

im not making fun of you i do the same thing sometimes

it was hard for me to pay $33 for a laser module

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #35 on:** Tue, 24 November 2009, 10:16:49 »

This one works on Mac without needing a restart: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1440

ricercar · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 24 November 2009, 16:03:14 »

I'm pleased to note that the CyberGuy's Blue box USB adapter works properly on 100% of my keyboards, including

Lexmark Model M (which was expected)
Northgate OnmiKey/102 (which was mostly expected)
AT/XT/ADB Kinesis Contour (nothing else has worked)

You finally convinced me, ripster, and I'm glad.

They shipped lightning fast, too. I Ordered yesterday and it arrived today. Must be clean living (or the fact I'm also in California..).

News:

Author Topic: USB to PS/2 adapter (Read 4701 times)