Dell USB-native keyboard does not work with PS/2 adapter...

[Ichinisan]

Dell has various regional model numbers for the "SpaceSaver" keyboard:
SK-8115
RT7D50
OJ4628

I've had compatibility issues with this keyboard. For instance, my systems do not recognize the keyboard before Windows loads, making it impossible to enter the BIOS Setup page or put Windows into Safe Mode. The layout, feel of the keys, and lack of media functions makes this the perfect keyboard to use with my KVM switch, but it refuses to work with a USB->PS/2 adapter. After some research, I saw that one person could not get his to work with Linux at all.

Why would Dell include such an incompatible keyboard with their systems? Is there anything I can to to adapt it to PS/2?

 

[Zepper]

Just get a PS/2 keyboard. That's cheaper than any USB to PS/2 converter that actually works. You didn't show me the adapter you tried to use, but I'll bet it was a cheap passive one that comes with some dual-mode keyboards that supply them. The electronics are actually in the keyboard itself to detect what it is being plugged into and shifts gears internally. Those won't work with USB-only kbds like the Dell.

Silitek/LiteOn makes most of Dell's kbds. Here you go, $10.80 shipped: LiteOn And you can often find Dell labeled kbds on eBay if you need black (personally, I dislike black kbds intensely).

.bh.