IBM Model M keyboard not working with ECS K7VZA v3 motherboard.

manchesterriots

Junior Member
Oct 9, 2002
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So I finally managed to acquire what I feel is the single best keyboard ever made by anyone, the beautiful IBM Model M. I love the clicking sound like nothing else. So, naturally, I would want to use this keyboard with my main desktop computer, which just so happens to have an ECS K7VZA Version 3 motherboard with the BIOS revision 3.6a. You'd think it would take what seems to be a normal PS/2 keyboard, right? Wrong! I can't hot-swap and use it, and I also can't cold boot it and have the keyboard work. The BIOS will always give me a "keyboard error or no keyboard present" message. Absolutely terrible.

I must use this keyboard. If anyone has any ideas short of buying a new motherboard about how to make it work, then let me know. Please?

Thanks in advance.
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
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Well, you could always try a PS/2 to big old thang to PS/2 adapater and see if it works :)
Also, you could try a USB to PS2 mouse/keybaord gizmo (plugs into a USB and you plug a PS/2 keyboard or mouse into it and it functions as a USB keybaord or mouse), which would be easier to find.
I hope you get it working, 'cause I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my IBM Model M (I sure wouldn't be gaming, I can say that much!).

Here one is
 

Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
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You're not supposed to hot swap on PS/2 connectors. This may permanently damage keyboard and/or mainboard. Those ancient plugs just aren't made for that.

So if it isn't dead now, chances are that it draws too much power. (Or does it still have an XT/AT switch on its underside? Check that!)