Why isn't PS2 DEAD?

[21stHermit]

I don't understand why motherboards still have PS2 ports or lately a single combo port. This is a "standard" that should have died ten years ago. For me I've used USB mice and Keyboards for at least the last five years.

Someone explain it to me, Please.

An example of a state of the art MB with a PS2 port:

 

[Davidh373]

Dunno, lol. PS2 is before my time lol. It seems to be in my dad's 12 year old dell though...

 

[DaveSimmons]

I prefer mbs with a PS2 port since Acronis Disk Director and True Image are both still erratic when used with USB-only motherboards.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Because mobo makers know that it can be a pain in the ass to use a USB device pre-OS boot? Or they simply have the room, and throw one in there for the people that are still rockin' PS/2.

 

[Fayd]

my keyboard remains PS2...

 

[PottedMeat]

damn does that board have 7 16x PCI-e slots?

ps2 logic probably doesn't require very much software and hardware for a full implementation. usb needs enumeration and all that other shit.

 

[klocwerk]

I use a PS2 keyboard by choice.

 

[Zap]

I'm sure there are tens of thousands of geeks out there who will keep using their old PS/2 IBM Model M keyboards until it gets pried from their dying hands.

Once you've had a setup where you can't get into BIOS with a USB keyboard, you'll understand...

 

[0roo0roo]

its a small unobtrusive port, many old kb still around.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

What mobo is that? Does anyone know?

 

[yinan]

More KVMs work better with PS2 ports than USB ones.

 

[corkyg]

PS2 is still more reliable than USB.

 

[klocwerk]

What mobo is that? Does anyone know?

EVGA Classified SR-2, dual Xeon board.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/evga-classified-sr-2-fits-two-980x-cpus-for-24-threads-exemplif/

 

[zerogear]

I want it.......

 

[fatpat268]

Because mobo makers know that it can be a pain in the ass to use a USB device pre-OS boot? Or they simply have the room, and throw one in there for the people that are still rockin' PS/2.

I've never ever had a problem with USB keyboards pre-boot. They've always worked, and this has been using multiple MS and Logitech keyboards.

I've always heard people say that they have problems with USB keyboards in the BIOS, but I've personally never seen it.

 

[klocwerk]

I've never ever had a problem with USB keyboards pre-boot. They've always worked, and this has been using multiple MS and Logitech keyboards.

I've always heard people say that they have problems with USB keyboards in the BIOS, but I've personally never seen it.

Just us old farts remembering when USB was new and shiny and never worked.
Carry on, whippersnappers.

 

[RebateMonger]

I own maybe 15 PS2 keyboards and only two or three USB keyboards. Same with mice. Well, that's not quite true, because I have a handful of MS notebook wireless USB mice. But I still have more PS2 mice than USB mice.

Maybe the motherboard makers remember the first Abit ITX motherboard, which had no PS2 ports and didn't sell.

 

[21stHermit]

I own maybe 15 PS2 keyboards and only two or three USB keyboards. Same with mice. Well, that's not quite true, because I have a handful of MS notebook wireless USB mice. But I still have more PS2 mice than USB mice.

But do you see serial or parallel ports on new MB's? I haven't.

Maybe the motherboard makers remember the first Abit ITX motherboard, which had no PS2 ports and didn't sell.

Bottom line, if it sells or not, the MB makers pay attention.

 

[0roo0roo]

But do you see serial or parallel ports on new MB's? I haven't.

Bottom line, if it sells or not, the MB makers pay attention.

those ports take a ton of space physically, a ps2 port is nothing. low cost of implementation is key.

 

[lxskllr]

If I were offered the same board with or without PS2, I'd take the PS2 port every time. My keyboard is a Model M, and while I could convert it over, I don't want to. I hope it sticks around for a long time.

 

[Davidh373]

If I were offered the same board with or without PS2, I'd take the PS2 port every time. My keyboard is a Model M, and while I could convert it over, I don't want to. I hope it sticks around for a long time.

Wow, seriously, I just wikied that and it looks ANCIENT! It's great those still work!

 

[StinkyPinky]

My microsoft keyboard is a ps/2 keyboard. It's only a few years old as well, so they still make them (or at least until recently)

 

[mfenn]

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, there is a sort of "behind the scenes" reason. A lot of testing and validation gear in use by the mobo manufacturers is really quite old. It may require a PS/2 (the correct designation btw, PS2 is a Sony game console), serial, and/or parallel port. If you notice, many motherboards that don't include a serial or parallel port in the rear I/O block (for space reasons) still have headers on the board itself.

 

[lxskllr]

Wow, seriously, I just wikied that and it looks ANCIENT! It's great those still work!

These things are tanks. Awesome keyboard. There's no Windows key, but I can live without that. Keep your eyes open for them if you shop in used shops/flea markets. They're noisy as hell, but the best keyboard for feel imo.

 

[JackMDS]

Lets put it in other way.

Why the existence of this port disturbs so much?

It is in the back. "Out of sight out of mind".