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Are PS/2 ports really necessary?

RobS10

RobS10

Member
One of the new prebuilt computers I'l seriously considering (Dell Vostro 460) looks like the SP/2 ports have been phased out. I use a cordless mouse ala USB, but worry my keyboard choices may be limited (I don't care for the cheapo feeling Logitech etc KBs). Are there decent keyboards feeling keyboards that use USB? If I run into trouble in the BIOS or something I can't forsee going to need a PS/2 keyboard due to USB not useable, or is that all past worries?
 
Almost all keyboards made now are native USB and connect to PS/2 via an adapter.

For old keyboards you can buy PS/2-to-USB adapters.
 
Echo StinkyPinky. How about editing your thread stem - change SP/2 to PS/2.
 
One feature I like with PS/2 is that many boards that still have a PS/2 port allow you to (with a setting in the BIOS) power on the PC with the press of a key. This is cold boot, powering on from off, not from standby or hibernate.
 
Synomenon said:
One feature I like with PS/2 is that many boards that still have a PS/2 port allow you to (with a setting in the BIOS) power on the PC with the press of a key. This is cold boot, powering on from off, not from standby or hibernate.
Click to expand...

That's available with USB as well, I made a computer with a GA785GM-US2H that does it.
 
Are you sure you can do that with its USB port?

I'm talking about from off state (unplugging a computer from the power outlet at the wall then plugging it back in) and being able to power it back on from that state with a press of any key on a PS/2 keyboard.
 
Synomenon said:
One feature I like with PS/2 is that many boards that still have a PS/2 port allow you to (with a setting in the BIOS) power on the PC with the press of a key. This is cold boot, powering on from off, not from standby or hibernate.
Click to expand...
That and USB controllers don't support true NKRO without a custom interface driver.
 
usbnotworking.jpg


I would say so...
 
Synomenon said:
Are you sure you can do that with its USB port?

I'm talking about from off state (unplugging a computer from the power outlet at the wall then plugging it back in) and being able to power it back on from that state with a press of any key on a PS/2 keyboard.
Click to expand...

I forgot that the KB had been switched on that computer and it used to have a PS2 KB. I just tested it with USB, and it didn't work from a first run after receiving power state, or soft off after being powered on. It definitely used to with the PS/2 KB. Thanks for having me verify.

I have had other problems with USB KBs not working in BIOSes on many older and modern MBs, so I agree that PS/2 is still necessary anyways.
 
RobS10 said:
One of the new prebuilt computers I'l seriously considering (Dell Vostro 460) looks like the PS/2 ports have been phased out. I use a cordless mouse ala USB, but worry my keyboard choices may be limited (I don't care for the cheapo feeling Logitech etc KBs). Are there decent keyboards feeling keyboards that use USB?
Click to expand...

Yes.

RobS10 said:
If I run into trouble in the BIOS or something I can't forsee going to need a PS/2 keyboard due to USB not useable, or is that all past worries?
Click to expand...

I've not had BIOS, etc. problems with a USB keyboard on any system made within the last 5 years or so, so I would say that a modern system that was designed from the ground up with no PS/2 ports is going to be a-OK. Especially a Dell.
 
mfenn said:
Yes.
Click to expand...
Yikes, that is not a keyboard for me LOL! I type fairly fast, but still look at the keyboard for letters ;-). I am still using the Microsoft KB that came with my first Dell I bought in 2000. I've bought a used OEM HP and Logitech Elite to give me a spare to fix up another computer. I didn't care for the feel of either. I haven't gone KB real shopping yet though.


mfenn said:
I've not had BIOS, etc. problems with a USB keyboard on any system made within the last 5 years or so, so I would say that a modern system that was designed from the ground up with no PS/2 ports is going to be a-OK. Especially a Dell.
Click to expand...
Seems to be a few contradictions in people's answers😕. My gut says Dell wouldn't take the ports away if there were no way to recover from a problem...hopefully ;-)
 
RobS10 said:
Yikes, that is not a keyboard for me LOL! I type fairly fast, but still look at the keyboard for letters ;-). I am still using the Microsoft KB that came with my first Dell I bought in 2000. I've bought a used OEM HP and Logitech Elite to give me a spare to fix up another computer. I didn't care for the feel of either. I haven't gone KB real shopping yet though.
Click to expand...

They actually have one with labelled keycaps as well. Same switches

RobS10 said:
Seems to be a few contradictions in people's answers😕. My gut says Dell wouldn't take the ports away if there were no way to recover from a problem...hopefully ;-)
Click to expand...

Maybe you misunderstood my post? I'm saying that a Dell with no PS/2 ports is going to be fine.
 
mfenn said:
They actually have one with labelled keycaps as well. Same switches



Maybe you misunderstood my post? I'm saying that a Dell with no PS/2 ports is going to be fine.
Click to expand...

Referring to some other posts in this thread that mentioned PS/2 ports as desireable under certain circumstances. I called Pro Support over at Dell and spoke to a guy who said the Vostro without PS/2 shouldn't have any problems.
 
RobS10 said:
Referring to some other posts in this thread that mentioned PS/2 ports as desireable under certain circumstances. I called Pro Support over at Dell and spoke to a guy who said the Vostro without PS/2 shouldn't have any problems.
Click to expand...
Didn't mean to give you a scare. You should be fine with just USB keyboard support. My issues with USB keyboard is mostly my own fault and are relatively minor. Problems with the USB keyboard support in BIOS occurs if I do some overclocking, but it's perfectly fine, otherwise.
 
fffblackmage said:
Didn't mean to give you a scare. You should be fine with just USB keyboard support. My issues with USB keyboard is mostly my own fault and are relatively minor. Problems with the USB keyboard support in BIOS occurs if I do some overclocking, but it's perfectly fine, otherwise.
Click to expand...
No problem ;-). I know something about computers, but clearly have a few things to learn. I'm hoping to not have any problems, but not knowing enough about BIOSs I didn't know if it would be a mistake to go with a PC without one. Is it safe to say that older computers would have had problems (I know the my old current computer would), but brand new ones are designed to work OK with USB at the pre-Windows boot level?
 
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