USB Keyboard to PS/2 Converter

[weepul]

I was wondering if anyone had much experience with USB Keyboards to PS/2 converters. Only reason why I need it is because my KVM Switch only has a PS/2 port for the keyboard and mouse.

I have a bunch of those green USB mice to PS/2 converters (that came with all the Microsoft mice I've purchased over the years), but it doesn't seem to work. Structurally they're the same. The keyboard in question is the new Microsoft Keyboard Natural 4000. I've also tested a previous keyboard I was using (the Microsoft Keyboard Natural Pro) and that one didn't work with the green converter either.

I've searched online for these adapters but several places were advertising the green converters as both mouse and keyboard converters.

I was wondering if anyone knew why it might not be working for me. Do some keyboards just not work with these converters? Do they need more power? or is the converter the item in question?

Thanks in advance!

//krunk (^_^x)

 

[weepul]

forgot to mention, I've tried connecting directly to both the KVM keyboard ps/2 port and the motherboard's keyboard ps/2 port. Without the converter, I've verified that the keyboard ports on both the motherboard and the KVM switch do work.

//krunk (^_^x)

 

[Peter]

With those converters, the keyboard itself must detect and support PS/2 operation. Most don't - particularly not those that contain USB hubs, pointing devices or other funny gadgetry.

 

[weepul]

I see. Interesting... So there's no way to connect those keyboards to PS/2.There's no USB hub on the Natural 4000. Just a play USB keyboard with tons of extra keys.

//krunk (^_^x)

 

[Peter]

Like I said - check whether the keyboard itself supports PS/2 mode. If it didn't have an adapter straight in the box, then chances are it doesn't. Ask Microsoft Support for the ultimate answer on this.

(And no, there are no active interface boxes that let you do this either. At least not for less-than-silly money.)

 

[Zepper]

There was a thread on the same topic either here or in Gen Hdwr a week or so ago. I know I found one a while back, but have not been able to locate one now - all there are are those passive adapters like you already tried. And the active converter I found before cost more than a decent PS/2 keyboard - so they just don't make a lot of sense.
. The core solution is to NEVER buy a USB-only keyboard. I have never seen the point in USB keyboards/mice anyway. Why use a shared channel when dedicated ones are available??? Plus you lose functionality e.g. power-on via keyboard.

.bh.

 

[Peter]

The "dedicated channel" the keyboard is on is an 8-bit ISA "generic I/O pin controller" device from back in 1977, with its internal firmware made to form keyboard and mouse interface from four such general purpose pins - resulting in an expectably inefficient and kludgy programming model to be CPU-driven onto the remains of this ancient bus. Although today it's integrated into south bridges or super-IO chips, it's still the same old thing. Not that it'd matter much, given the few keystrokes per second that are to be handled (while one does notice the bus hogging with high resolution mice) - but from a mainboard architecting perspective, the sooner we are rid of that old thing, the better. Also, the firmware in that old controller unit costs license money that makes your mainboard more expensive.

USB in turn is a high speed, intelligent bus master on a much faster bus with a much more versatile and clean programming model. For keyboards in particular, using USB enables you to have a hub inside, plug your mouse into the keyboard rather than dangle a two-meter cable off the far end of the desk, and other nifty things. (Wake through USB keyboard is very well possible, if the mainboard is wired up to do that, btw.)

 

[weepul]

I see. Thanks for the information.

According to Microsoft's website:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/oempartners/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=043

it shows: PS/2 or USB compatibility.

Guess I'll have to dig deeper.

//krunk (^_^x)

 

[Zepper]

I think the OR is the key. I have only found it in USB only after checking some sites with the largest inventories around. I guess you'll have to contact M$ to find out when the PS/2 version will be available.

.bh.

 

[weepul]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I think the OR is the key. I have only found it in USB only after checking some sites with the largest inventories around. I guess you'll have to contact M$ to find out when the PS/2 version will be available.

.bh.

I see. I did a search on the keyboard with PS/2 and noted some sites say it's USB only while others claim it works with both USB and PS/2, but that can just possibly be because of the specs they took down.

//krunk (^_^x)