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ancient Celeron 433Mhz doesn't see PS2 keyboard but Num Lock works - port dead?

S

swapjim

Member
I found a Celeron 433Mhz on the basement and said "lets setup Win98 in this little ah heck for nostalgia".

Problem is, it doesn't recognize the PS2 keyboard. That PS2 keyboard works fine on other computers. The Celeron machine can see a USB keyboard, and it'll take me to the BIOS but Win98 setup doesn't see the USB keyboard.

The strangest thing is that I can play with the Num Lock key on the PS2 keyboard.

Is the Celeron PS2 port dead? Is it time for recycle?
 
Power may be getting to it (key lock functionality happens inside the keyboard, I think), but not signal. You could try a ps2 -> DIN converter if the mobo has a DIN plug, or a PS2 -> usb with the usb keyboard. Likely the PS2 port is shot though if signal isn't getting through.

The win95 setup might have issues with the USB keyboard, driver support from within the OS setup was flakey back then. You can load drivers from a DOS prompt however, if you can find one. Basically startup to DOS disk, load drivers (used to do this for CD drives back then), then install from there. Worth a try!
 
PS/2 can sometimes get confused by having a latent electrical charge remain after system shut down. Try removing the power plug, then press and hold the front power switch for several seconds to discharge the PSU capacitor.
PS/2 ports must never be plugged in or unplugged while the system is powered up, which can permanently damage the PS/2 port.
A Win98 USB driver can be provided via floppy drive during the initial Windows98 installation process.
Or: find a Win98SE installation disc.
If there's two PS/2 ports, but only one is functional, there's also PS/2 splitters available, which would again allow using both a PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard.
 
Last edited:
vailr said:
PS/2 can sometimes get confused by having a latent electrical charge remain after system shut down. Try removing the power plug, then press and hold the front power switch for several seconds to discharge the PSU capacitor.
PS/2 ports must never be plugged in or unplugged while the system is powered up, which can permanently damage the PS/2 port.
A Win98 USB driver can be provided via floppy drive during the initial Windows98 installation process.
Or: find a Win98SE installation disc.
If there's two PS/2 ports, but only one is functional, there's also PS/2 splitters available, which would again allow using both a PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard.
Click to expand...
If you booted system with peripheral connected, PS/2 will get initiated and until next shut down your peripheral will work when you unplug it and plug back, much like USB.
 
Sheep221 said:
If you booted system with peripheral connected, PS/2 will get initiated and until next shut down your peripheral will work when you unplug it and plug back, much like USB.
Click to expand...

Huh, didn't know that. I knew it had to be plugged in during boot or it was never gonna happen. That's actually a useful bit of knowledge.
 
I once had a bent pin in a PS/2 keyboard connector. You might just check to make sure that a pin isn't bent.
 
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