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Using NT4 - No USB support - need adapter advice

G

gtd2000

Platinum Member
We use NT4 at the office 🙁 and some of us have devices which are connected by USB. This will not work with the current OS but I was wondering if you get adapters that work by plugging in the USB connector to a convertor/adapter that would in turn plug into the serial or PS2 ports?

I'm sure I've seen adapters to use a USB mouse in the PS2 slot - perhaps I am confused and it was actually the other way round?

Any advice appreciated and if possible a source to purchase the necessary items.
 
They have adapters that convert a USB device to PS2. They come with most Optical mice, for example. I am not sure how much they cost, but if you look around I am sure you could find some.

I don't know about a direct USB to serial, but I don't see why it would not work. You could go with a USB-PS/2 converter connected to a PS/2-Serial converter, but that would be kinda clunky.
 


<< I don't know about a direct USB to serial, but I don't see why it would not work. You could go with a USB-PS/2 converter connected to a PS/2-Serial converter, but that would be kinda clunky. >>

That would not work.

You can't pick up a USB mouse and attach a dongle to make it PS/2
The mouse actually has to support PS/2 then you can get an adapter for about $2. But if the mouse doesn't support USB you are SOL.
I think it's the same story for PS/2 and Serial.

Now most USB mice and keyboards also support PS/2 so that's not a problem.

But other devices you are SOL for that.

I found a device that was a Serial port controller that attached to the USB port (the opposite of what you want), but it was $50 🙁

I don't know what a USB controller that attaches to the Serial port would cost, but I'm sure you can find one.

But it's not as simple as a USB mouse, becuase those are designed to work on PS/2 as well.
 
Why not just add USB support to Windows NT 4.0?? You can do that you know:

Bsquare has a USB add-on for NT 4.0, but it's gonna cost ya $80. BSquare is better known for their PocketPC apps, but here it is in the flesh. *Note* It only supports mice, keyboards, printers, and Pocket PC cradles.

http://www.bsquare.com/products/devtools/usbwin40/
 
So from my understanding you can only &quot;convert&quot; a device that has support for the end conversion connection type?

For example if you had a USB web cam that did not have PS/2 (etc) support that would not work with a convertor/dongle?

We are due to be upgraded to Windows 2000 later this year (Octoberish) so any option is only a temporary solution.

One thing that is a real pain is that I can't even use the PCMCIA adapter cards for my CF card to copy my photo files over - you need to buy 3rd party software to use a $12 CF reader - and it's like $80 or so 🙁

Guess I just gotta stick to serial port uploads until they bring us into the 21st century 😉
 
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