USB to PS/2 adapter not working?

[Zepper]

I checked my usual sources and I haven't found the USB to PS/2 adapter. I guess they either don't make it any more or they didn't sell well enough for the resellers to bother to carry them any more. Have you considered a KVM switch?

.bh.

 

[Synomenon]

How would a KVM help here? I don't want to use up a USB port for this keyboard and I want it connected via PS/2 so I can use the power on with PS/2 keyboard option in my BIOS.

 

[Zepper]

I was thinking there might be one that can run PS/2 computers from USB kbd/mse.

IAC, I still say a standard PS/2 keyboard is the way to go, and when you can get a LiteOn (Silitek) PS/2 kbd for $10. shipped, there is no excuse for going to all this trouble. (Dell keyboards ARE LiteOn/Silitek...

.bh.

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I was thinking there might be one that can run PS/2 computers from USB kbd/mse.

IAC, I still say a standard PS/2 keyboard is the way to go, and when you can get a LiteOn (Silitek) PS/2 kbd for $10. shipped, there is no excuse for going to all this trouble. (Dell keyboards ARE LiteOn/Silitek...

.bh.

Can you give me a link to the LiteOn / Silitek model that looks exactly like the Dell model I have?

 

[Zepper]

I'm sorry, but looks are unimportant to me - function is. The SK-1688 or SK-1789 that the Egg carries should have a similar feel. And there are quite a few others with a better feel.

.bh.

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I'm sorry, but looks are unimportant to me - function is. The SK-1688 or SK-1789 that the Egg carries should have a similar feel. And there are quite a few others with a better feel.

.bh.

I'm sorry, but I wasn't asking for your opinion. Anyway, I should have said it more clearly. It needs to be just like the Dell keyboard because:

- The Dell keyboard is slim, compact, and still has full sized keys
- The Dell keyboard does not have those application shortcut keys / media keys that I never use (most keyboards I see now have them)
- I find the Dell keyboard comfortable to type on

 

[CrispyFried]

well if youre THAT set on that dell kb, youll need a new computer that supports those features via usb.

 

[Synomenon]

Don't think any motherboard supports powering on via USB keyboard.

 

[ValuedCustomer]

Don't waste your time with this pinhead; he's been obsessing about the existence/non-existence of this stupid adapter for a week now.. and god-forbid anyone actually offers additional options/opinions when offering him the advice he came here asking for in the first place.. at that point he gets all pissy. - IT'S JUST A FRIGGIN' KEYBOARD! -

 

[Zepper]

Yeah, the reason there is no power-on by USB is that there is only 2A max of standby 5V. Too many devices may share the USB port and weigh the SB power line down too heavily. Now if you externally powered the USB bus (say with a self-powered hub), it might be made to respond to a keystroke or mouse movement. But of course, the USB interface chips would also have to be powered. I gues that's a Catch 22.
. It might be easier to get one of those little Creative Labs remote controls that are on eBay all the time just for turning the machine on. Another option is to rig another power switch to your mobo in parallel and bring it out along your keyboard cable tied with zip ties or coil wrap. This may spur other ideas for a work-around in a technical-type person...

.bh.

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: ValuedCustomer
Don't waste your time with this pinhead; he's been obsessing about the existence/non-existence of this stupid adapter for a week now.. and god-forbid anyone actually offers additional options/opinions when offering him the advice he came here asking for in the first place.. at that point he gets all pissy. - IT'S JUST A FRIGGIN' KEYBOARD! -

I'm happy that people here try to help, but I keep getting suggestions that don't help at all.

Originally posted by: ValuedCustomer
It sounds like you're trying to overengineer the situation.. have you considered just buying a USB 2.0 card? NewEgg, $7.99, problem solved.

I said that I have a Shuttle SN25P which has only one PCI express 16x slot and one PCI express 1x slot. There aren't any USB2.0 PCI express cards yet.

Originally posted by: Zepper
I was thinking there might be one that can run PS/2 computers from USB kbd/mse.

IAC, I still say a standard PS/2 keyboard is the way to go, and when you can get a LiteOn (Silitek) PS/2 kbd for $10. shipped, there is no excuse for going to all this trouble. (Dell keyboards ARE LiteOn/Silitek...

.bh.

Originally posted by: Zepper
I'm sorry, but looks are unimportant to me - function is. The SK-1688 or SK-1789 that the Egg carries should have a similar feel. And there are quite a few others with a better feel.

.bh.

I stressed a number of times that I would like to keep this Dell keyboard unless there is another one (that works with standard USB to PS/2 adapters or is has a PS/2 plug in the first place).

No need to be calling people "pinhead".

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Yeah, the reason there is no power-on by USB is that there is only 2A max of standby 5V. Too many devices may share the USB port and weigh the SB power line down too heavily. Now if you externally powered the USB bus (say with a self-powered hub), it might be made to respond to a keystroke or mouse movement. But of course, the USB interface chips would also have to be powered. I gues that's a Catch 22.
. It might be easier to get one of those little Creative Labs remote controls that are on eBay all the time just for turning the machine on. Another option is to rig another power switch to your mobo in parallel and bring it out along your keyboard cable tied with zip ties or coil wrap. This may spur other ideas for a work-around in a technical-type person...

.bh.

Thanks Zepper, that power switch thing sounds like it could work (if I was more technically inclined that is. ). Also, I once saw this small USB adapter that's meant to have a USB keyboard plugged into it then the adapter plugged into your computer and the adapter had an on/off switch on it for powering your compuer on and off, but I think it was for Macs only.

 

[merlin3]

I believe we carry usb to ps/2 . I would have to look. I use a wireless keyboard via ps/2 with a logitech version of the usb-ps/2 adaptor. ours have no symbols on them, just that wonderful microsoft gray with a usb symbol at one end. have you tested that the keyboard functions properly when it is pluged in usng the usb? If it works properly without the adaptor then its your ps/2 port or your adaptor at fault. I am with you on being a certain way about my kb. mine at home is just how i want it, and i have been told i'm silly for caring. I don't care, I want what I want, and if its available and is reasonable to get I do so. I will see if i can find out the supplier. no promises, as i am not the manager and have limited acess.

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: merlin3
I believe we carry usb to ps/2 . I would have to look. I use a wireless keyboard via ps/2 with a logitech version of the usb-ps/2 adaptor. ours have no symbols on them, just that wonderful microsoft gray with a usb symbol at one end. have you tested that the keyboard functions properly when it is pluged in usng the usb? If it works properly without the adaptor then its your ps/2 port or your adaptor at fault. I am with you on being a certain way about my kb. mine at home is just how i want it, and i have been told i'm silly for caring. I don't care, I want what I want, and if its available and is reasonable to get I do so. I will see if i can find out the supplier. no promises, as i am not the manager and have limited acess.

It's good to know I'm not the only one who is really picky, but sure on how I want my keyboard to be.

Yeah, this keyboard works properly in my PC and other PCs when it is connected via USB. I did try at least three different purple USB to PS/2 adapters and at least two green USB to PS/2 adapters with this keyboard on my PC and in two other PCs and it did not work any of those times.

I know the PS/2 ports on all the PCs I tried this on are working because I tried my old Logitech keyboard with USB to PS/2 adapter on them and the Logitech keyboard worked all the time.

 

[merlin3]

Ok I read the specs on the usb to ps/2. they are better for use with your mouse than a keyboard. They dont mention why, and as far as our tech guy is concerned youd be better with the external powered usb. Or perhaps a USB thumb drive. they turn one port into 4, but i am not sure if they drain power or not. there may be powered ones and unpowered ones. I have about 3 USB ports, one is for my mouse(wireless), second is my printer and the last one is my USB DSL modem. so i had to use my ps/2 for my keyboard. I would mail you my adaptor but then i'd be posting like you are. anyway, I would go for the powered hub if i were in your shoes. all the luck to you

 

[Synomenon]

Oh well, thanks anyway merlin. I'm gonna have to dump this very nice Dell keyboard then. I don't want to waste a precious USB port on a keyboard when I have a PS/2 port and I'd like to have the power on with PS/2 keyboard functionality back.

Now I'm off to find a new PS/2 keyboard that is as nice as this one.

 

[XMan]

Even if there were a USB PCIe card, I don't think it would work. My PC doesn't recognize the USB keyboard as being a keyboard unless it's plugged into one of the onboard ports . . .

 

[Synomenon]

That's weird. In one of my other PCs, I have a 5 port USB2.0 PCI card with an internal power connector (so that all the ports get full power). I have the power connected to it. I've used USB mice and keyboards on this PC, connected to that USB2.0 PCI card and had no problems. The only thing is that to access the BIOS on that PC, the USB keyboard has to be connected to one of the USB ports on the back, that are connected to the motherboard.

 

[Zepper]

Hey Merlin,
We've already established that OP has a USB keyboard and wants to connect it to his PS/2 keyboard port. We've already established that his keyboard does not have the internal electronics to get by with a passive adapter (what I call "infinite profit" items). What is needed is an active interface converter. I'm pretty sure there is at least one out there as it was mentioned in at least one thread here before. But I can't find one now.

.bh.