PS2 to USB converter

[wakkawakka321]

I have a self built PC that I am using as a server but it only has 1 PS2 port, for keyboard.

My problem is it is attached to a rack mount (HP TFT7600) keyboard, mouse and monitor combo that is PS2 for both the keyboard and mouse. So far I've tried a simple adapter but I read that since it does not contain any chip to convert the PS2 to USB signal it doesn't work. I also had a USB to PS2 splitter lying around, but read that it converts only USB to PS2 and not the other way around (although I still think that doesn't make sense since it is male USB on one end and female PS2 x 2 on the other).

Is there any way at all the achieve what I am describing? I've read conflicting information online, and it seems you have to get very specific adapaters/converters.

 

[Paperdoc]

I'm a little confused: you say you have tried a simple adapter but do not report whether that worked. You say only that reading others' reports tells you it can't work.

I have used adapters for the other way - use a USB mouse connected via adapter to a PS/2 port - and there is no big problem. As far as I can tell, the electrical signals are identical, so NO signal conversion is needed - the adapter merely has to connect the right wires through. HOWEVER, when you use an adapter you are connecting the mouse to a different port. Hence, you actually need a different mouse driver installed in Windows.

You are trying to use a PS/2 mouse on a USB port, right? With Windows running and the mouse NOT connected, UN-install the mouse driver. Then shut down, plug in the mouse, and reboot. Windows should detect the new device (the mouse) on a USB port and find and install the driver for that. Then it should work.

One more note. I had to replace a failed mouse recently and the new one had a USB connection. It HAD to be connected to a USB port - could not work on a PS/2 port with an adapter because of some signal speed design reasons I don't understand. That part does not concern you. However, the new mouse specifically said it had to be connected to a USB port on the computer, and NOT via an external USB hub. I think this has to do with signal response times. As it turns out, that was not true - it is working off a hub. BUT if you have any trouble, try plugging the mouse + adapter into a USB port on the computer itself.

 

[Cerb]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10404&cs_id=1040401&p_id=6854&seq=1&format=2

That's the sort of adapter you need. The plug type adapters are just pin adapters, and need the device on the other end to be natively capable of running as PS/2 (many mice used to be both PS/2 and USB).

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've been happy with this for use with a PS2 KVM:

Adesso PS/2 to USB Adapter, connects 2 PS/2 connectors to 1 USB port/hub (ADP-PU21 )
Amazon ASIN: B00008ZPED

 

[wakkawakka321]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

@Paperdoc: The adapter did not work for me. Yes, I am trying to connect a PS2 mouse to a USB port, as the motherboard only has a single PS2 port. I may try the driver removal thing you mentioned tonight as I am at work now.

@Cerb: It seems that is similar to the second item I purchased, a USB to PS2 adapter/converter. A little research and googling told me it is not working as it is meant to convert USB to PS2 and not the other way around.

@DaveSimmons: Looks like it may be worth a shot, I'll have a good read of the amazon page.

 

[Cerb]

@Cerb: It seems that is similar to the second item I purchased, a USB to PS2 adapter/converter. A little research and googling told me it is not working as it is meant to convert USB to PS2 and not the other way around.

It takes a PS/2 keyboard and a PS/2 mouse, and let's you plug them in to a USB port. It provides the same functionality as the Adesso one linked by DaveSimmons, and reads like it's the same type of thing as one of the ones you have.

The conversion is bidirectional. The plugs aren't. Male USB and female PS/2 are correct for using PS/2 input devices with a PC's USB port.

 

[wakkawakka321]

It takes a PS/2 keyboard and a PS/2 mouse, and let's you plug them in to a USB port. It provides the same functionality as the Adesso one linked by DaveSimmons, and reads like it's the same type of thing as one of the ones you have.

The conversion is bidirectional. The plugs aren't. Male USB and female PS/2 are correct for using PS/2 input devices with a PC's USB port.

Exactly. That's why I don't understand why it wouldn't work, although my one could be slightly different:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-to-P...lePhoneAccessories&hash=item4d0c3dc2c9&_uhb=1

I was told by the seller (in broken english) that the conversion is not bi-directional, and it is only USB to PS2. I guess this is where the difficulty in choosing the right device comes in. By saying that, somehow the adapter takes the host PC's USB port signal and converts it to 2 PS2 ports. This doesn't make sense to me, but when installing it, it showed up as a barcode scanner. Either way it was only $3 wasted so I'm not fussed as it was just a test. The reason I jumped on yours as the same is that the listing is also typed as though it is for a USB (input signal) to PS2 (output signal) device.

Admittedly I didn't do the most extensive testing. I tried a few different USB ports (all off the motherboard directly) but since it didn't work the way I wanted (plug and play) I thought I'd see what other people may suggest.

EDIT - To clarify, this is the other item I tried:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-to-P...U_CablesConnectors&hash=item25740353ad&_uhb=1

 

[Cerb]

The device connections are directional. Communication is both ways, though. With female PS/2 ends, and a male USB-A, there's not much that it can do, but make use of PS/2 devices through your PC's USB port.

When you tried the USB adapter with the mouse and keyboard, what happened?

The 2nd linked item only works with devices made for it, that are natively both USB and PS/2 devices. While it's mostly gone away, it used to be common for mice. It's just a pin adapter, while the first linked item has a board and chip(s) inside the middle box, and presents itself as a PS/2 controller on that USB port.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I use mine (the Adesso I linked to) to connect a PS2 mouse and keyboard (both Microsoft models not Adesso) to a single USB port, it works fine. The Addesso model does (supposedly) have active circuitry in the square box part to make this work properly.

 

[richaron]

HP website says: "The TFT7600 G2 KVM Console provides PS2 and USB connectivity and a USB port on the front of the keyboard for USB pass through with compatible KVM switches."

Ignoring the pass through thing... Can't you just plug it in using USB?

Edit: woops linked "G2" version, tho it looks the same

 

[sm625]

Have you tried one of these cables:

They are both the same but one is colored the other is not.