Active PS/2 to USB adaptor?

[InSanCen]

Hi Bruce.

Just thought I'd throw this out there on behalf of all the UK and Euro owners of PS/2 boards.

Do you do an active PS/2 to USB adaptor? Any chance you can try it on an M?

If so, and it works, let me know when it's on your site, and I'll place an order.

[Bruce]

Hi

Yes we've got them here:- http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=254
We originally went for this one because it was the only one we found that worked on Maltrons, years ago before Maltron made a USB model.
To my shame, I don't think we have an M to test it on.
Full refund if you buy it and it doesn't work - sound fair?

[InSanCen]

Yeah, I'll play guinea pig on that one.

You will have a PM. If it works with other picky boards, I suspect an M will be fine. Enjoy your Xmas though, I'm not in a rush for this.

If it works, I plan on voiding the warranty anyway, so may be able to give you (and GH) some more information on it's internals. It's going inside an M (Assuming I get another controller for it), and doing a Ripster style "native" USB mod to it. Just for kicks, if there's enough current left to spare from the adaptor, I may even backlight it with LED's.

You need to get an M though... What self-respecting multi-vendor Keyboard company doesn't own one? :tongue:

[InSanCen]

Hi Bruce.

Placed an order. I'll report back and assuming it works, you can put it on your site that it works with the legendary Model M ;-)

[Bruce]

Thanks InSanCen

Happy New Year!
We're back in action on the 4th so expect delivery a day or two after that.
It will be helpful to know for sure if they'll work with an M. Many thanks.

[exia]

I have this one from dealextreme

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1440

[ch_123]

It doesn't look like an active adapter to me. Passive adapters will work fine with newer boards, but older keyboards like the Model M often refuse to work with them at all.

[keyb_gr]

If it has two PS/2 ports, it's 99.9% certain that it's active. And as we all know, active adapters still vary a good bit in performance.

[ch_123]

If it has two PS/2 ports, it's 99.9% certain that it's active. And as we all know, active adapters still vary a good bit in performance.

The one linked is transparent, and it didn't really look like there was much going on inside of it, or whether there was enough room for the chip.

Either way, as you say, not all adapters are equal. Better off with the stuff that has been proven to work.

[exia]

there is a chip inside of it

[ch_123]

Oh, apologies. Then it could well be a most suitable one for the job.

[InSanCen]

I have this one from dealextreme

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1440

No offence Exia, but I would much rather deal with Bruce.

The beauty of talking directly to the reseller's themselves, is precisely what has happened in this thread. I have asked if they have them. Bruce has said yes, but we are not sure if they don't. Have a refund if not.

I can't name many other companies that offer that kind of service (and none of that small number are Web based). It's the service I like, and will pay a bit more in order to get. It's also the service I try to give my customers as I work in sales myself. In fact, I like it so much, I'm buying it from here, despite the fact we sell 3 different ones in my work, and it would take about 5 minutes to test them.

@Bruce
Thanks. Hope yours went well. Looking forward to mugging my postie for it.

[InSanCen]

Received the adaptor today.

It works flawlessly with my M13, including BIOS options. I am in Windows7 at the moment, (Photoshop), and typing this via it, but I can see no reason it won't work in other OS's as the BIOS sees it without a problem. It should just register as a Composite USB device. I havent got a "true" Model M to test it with to hand, but again, I can see no reason for it not to work. It's also one of the one's we do in work, but TheKeyboardCo was cheaper.

[keyb_gr]

If anything, the M13 seems to be more critical than a "regular" M. If key #102 and Alt+PrtScr work fine, the adapter should be solid all around.

[InSanCen]

If anything, the M13 seems to be more critical than a "regular" M. If key #102 and Alt+PrtScr work fine, the adapter should be solid all around.

ALT+PrtScr works great, and just does the active window.

I suspect that this is a great buy for any Europeans that want to use the Mighty M on a USB port.

The only dilemma I had was which device do I unplug to plug the adaptor in. 10 USB ports, and all full. I need to break out my rear backplanes(?) to put on the last header.

[InSanCen]

I'll just snag a 7 port one in work (Powered, would not touch a passive one). I'm thinking that I can mod it under my desk so I just don't see the cables, and use a couple of Neutrik USB sockets on extension cables, with holes through the desk, so I can just use my Pen drives as & when I need to.

I can forsee the need for Blanking covers though, as the Daughter is around this area a lot, and I can see a juice-Port interface shortly after I finish it.