Solve : USB to PS/2 mouse or keyboard converter - active or true?

1.	Solve : USB to PS/2 mouse or keyboard converter - active or true?
Answer» Hi! I need to use USB keyboard on one machine which supports only PS/2 and accepts not normal USB to PS/2 converter. I have connected single keyboard to more computers and don't need to have on desk else other. Exist and is possible to buy real TRUE or active USB to PS/2 converter for machines which supporting not standard USB to PS/2? Mouse or keyboard - separately or (think not possible) both in one. Thank you all for at least reading this. Miro(From dictation.) Hello, let me try to help you. From what you have written I think you are trying to control several computers from a single desk and you wish to reduce the number of keyboards you have to use. Is that what you intend to do? You MENTIONED the"PS/2 keyboard or mouse" connector. To my knowledge the proper use of this term is for the older model of the IBM personal computer. Here is a reference about the"PS/2 port" that is seldom use on newer computer designs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_port From what you have said, you were not successful in finding an adapter that work properly with the computer that has the PS2 connection. In my opinion you are not going to find a suitable adapter. There are some differences in keyboards and in the WAY different companies have used the PS2 connector. You will have to use the proper keyboard for the machine you have. The newer keyboards will not work right if you try to use an adapter. However, I am often wrong. Perhaps somebody here has had some experience using the adapters. Sorry I cannot offer any more help. PS2 to USB converters have been common for years now...kinda curious why he can't get it to work...i've never ever had an issue with 1...also keep in mind, if you disconnect, reconnect or just connect a PS/2 device while the PC is on, it will not be detected.PS/2 devices are only INITIALISED during initial PC startup. Mark, Let me add to that. PS/2 connectors are not 'hot swap' connectors.There is a possible damage to the interface chips. Also, the OP did not state which model of computer he is usng nor did he tell us how old the keyboard key was. And he did not explain how he determined that is was not working right. Very old PCs and keyboards have a compatibility problem if you use them with newer equipment. We hare talking about changes that where made over twenty years ago. Or was it thirty years ago? EDIT: On eBay those adapters are very cheap. He could just bu a bunch and see if some work better than others. Quote from: Mark. on June 19, 2018, 10:17:42 PM also keep in mind, if you disconnect, reconnect or just connect a PS/2 device while the PC is on, it will not be detected.PS/2 devices are only initialised during initial PC startup. Likely what has happened here...Ok, computers: Compaq Presarion 486SX - from late 80s modded enhanced Commodore 64 DTV with soldered PS/2 port - really it is not C64 and even is enhanced FPGA model, produced at 2005. So, what now? On eBay are lot of these adapters - but it's like to buy at least 10 to check if works... MiroReference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C64_Direct-to-TV The above page has links to other related web sites. Consider: The C64 does not has a PS/2 connector Is it true The link below disputes the above statement. http://members.optusnet.com.au/spacetaxi64/PC-HARDWARE/PC-Keyboard/PC-Keyboard.htm The OP must decide if it is worth the effort. Some happy Commode owners did a number of innovative things. The FPGA 64: http://www.syntiac.com/fpga64.html As I understand, the keyboard itself has to support working as a PS/2 keyboard, since the adapters really just wire up the PS/2 pins to the USB pins. My Unicomp Model M works with an adapter to PS/2, but my Logitech K120's do not. It might also be the case that newer systems are able to interact with a USB keyboard via the PS/2 port. Not sure about that one.I must to correct both last replies. Of course Commodore 64 has and never had PS/2 connector even keyboard. Commodore 64 DTV (Direct-To-TV) was distributed between 2003-2005 as joystick with extra buttons only. This enhanced version is basically FPGA - but not FPGA-64 - this FPGA is created only C64 by original copy. FPGA inside DTV joystick is possible to mod - Jeri Ellsworth was thinking about when she designed it. Left there connections for 2 joysticks, User Port, IEC serial and PS/2 keyboard onboard. I modded it how it was possible and have all except User Port - so I added there standard PS/2 keyboard connector - but DTV FPGA board accepts not USB to PS/2 standard adapter. Compaq 486 has also available PS/2 connectors - one for keyboard and one for mouse. Problem is the same. I know that PS/2 is not hot-plug interface - but don't understand why these two computers accepting not standard USB to PS/2 adapters. So, I need real conversion - it means also protocol and controller - so now it is more clear. Has anybody any idea what to do? Thank you for all. MiroA passive USB to PS/2 adaptor relies on the keyboard understanding that it is connected via an adaptor, the USB keyboard then needs to send out PS/2 signals. If the keyboard doesn't support this then it will not work with a passive adaptor. An active adaptor will actually convert the USB keyboard signals to PS/2 ones so will (in theory) work with any USB keyboard. Of course, when working with old hardware, there are often issues, but you will definitely have better luck with an active adaptor. I've used them in the past to connect a really old (1980s) PS/2 keyboard to a modern machine over USB where the keyboard is too old to handle a passive PS/2 to USB adaptor.Thank you. Is possible to buy active USB to PS/2 converter for example on eBay? MiroLooks like while active ps/2 to usb is pretty common, usb to ps/2 is much rarer. You'd need to dig around to see if you can find such andapter. If not, you may end up having to investigate options. Is there any reason that you have to use a USB keyboard and can't just find an actual PS/2 one?Hi! I found one. It's USB to PS/2 or vice versa. I found in description same problem as my problem and it solved this adapter in seller case. I was searching on eBay for not cheap adapters to be sure and really this is the one. Thank you very much for your help especially. Also thank you all for help in this thread. MiroMIRKOSOFT. Every body here is confused about what you are doing? First of all is this something your really have to have or is it something you would like? Do you have two computers? if so, what is the proper designation of each? Does each computer have a working keyboard? Jere is what I think you have. 1. An older PC made by Compaq with a keyboard. 2. A Commodore 64 that does not have an external keyboard. You would like to use a switch to use one keyboard for both computers. Is that what you want? I repeat, the Commodore never, ever has a PS/2 connector. It is NOT a PS/2 connector. I am often wrong. But I think I am right on this. The commodore 64 never had a PS/2 connector. Some few users modify the Commode to use a PS/2 keyboard. It is never easy. It requires very specific things to make it work. I can not get the URL to work here. If you med the information, I will ha veto make a URL for the site. It describe an elaborate modification to force the Commodore to ;use a PS/2 keyboard. If it were easy, they would have found it earlier. There are more sites like tart. Also, there is a way to get USB support on the Commodore. But hat is another thing. EDIT: Here is indirect URL: https://tinyurl.com/C64-to-PS2

Answer»

Hi!

I need to use USB keyboard on one machine which supports only PS/2 and accepts not normal USB to PS/2 converter.
I have connected single keyboard to more computers and don't need to have on desk else other.

Exist and is possible to buy real TRUE or active USB to PS/2 converter for machines which supporting not standard USB to PS/2?
Mouse or keyboard - separately or (think not possible) both in one.

Thank you all for at least reading this.

Miro(From dictation.)

Hello, let me try to help you. From what you have written I think you are trying to control several computers from a single desk and you wish to reduce the number of keyboards you have to use. Is that what you intend to do?
You MENTIONED the"PS/2 keyboard or mouse" connector. To my knowledge the proper use of this term is for the older model of the IBM personal computer.
Here is a reference about the"PS/2 port" that is seldom use on newer computer designs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_port

From what you have said, you were not successful in finding an adapter that work properly with the computer that has the PS2 connection. In my opinion you are not going to find a suitable adapter. There are some differences in keyboards and in the WAY different companies have used the PS2 connector.
You will have to use the proper keyboard for the machine you have. The newer keyboards will not work right if you try to use an adapter.

However, I am often wrong. Perhaps somebody here has had some experience using the adapters.

Sorry I cannot offer any more help.

PS2 to USB converters have been common for years now...kinda curious why he can't get it to work...i've never ever had an issue with 1...also keep in mind, if you disconnect, reconnect or just connect a PS/2 device while the PC is on, it will not be detected.PS/2 devices are only INITIALISED during initial PC startup.
Mark,
Let me add to that. PS/2 connectors are not 'hot swap' connectors.There is a possible damage to the interface chips.
Also, the OP did not state which model of computer he is usng nor did he tell us how old the keyboard key was. And he did not explain how he determined that is was not working right. Very old PCs and keyboards have a compatibility problem if you use them with newer equipment. We hare talking about changes that where made over twenty years ago. Or was it thirty years ago?

EDIT: On eBay those adapters are very cheap. He could just bu a bunch and see if some work better than others. Quote from: Mark. on June 19, 2018, 10:17:42 PM

also keep in mind, if you disconnect, reconnect or just connect a PS/2 device while the PC is on, it will not be detected.PS/2 devices are only initialised during initial PC startup.

Likely what has happened here...Ok, computers:

Compaq Presarion 486SX - from late 80s
modded enhanced Commodore 64 DTV with soldered PS/2 port - really it is not C64 and even is enhanced FPGA model, produced at 2005.

So, what now?
On eBay are lot of these adapters - but it's like to buy at least 10 to check if works...

MiroReference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C64_Direct-to-TV
The above page has links to other related web sites.

Consider:
The C64 does not has a PS/2 connector
Is it true
The link below disputes the above statement.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/spacetaxi64/PC-HARDWARE/PC-Keyboard/PC-Keyboard.htm

The OP must decide if it is worth the effort.
Some happy Commode owners did a number of innovative things.
The FPGA 64:

http://www.syntiac.com/fpga64.html

As I understand, the keyboard itself has to support working as a PS/2 keyboard, since the adapters really just wire up the PS/2 pins to the USB pins. My Unicomp Model M works with an adapter to PS/2, but my Logitech K120's do not.

It might also be the case that newer systems are able to interact with a USB keyboard via the PS/2 port. Not sure about that one.I must to correct both last replies.

Of course Commodore 64 has and never had PS/2 connector even keyboard.

Commodore 64 DTV (Direct-To-TV) was distributed between 2003-2005 as joystick with extra buttons only.
This enhanced version is basically FPGA - but not FPGA-64 - this FPGA is created only C64 by original copy.
FPGA inside DTV joystick is possible to mod - Jeri Ellsworth was thinking about when she designed it.
Left there connections for 2 joysticks, User Port, IEC serial and PS/2 keyboard onboard.
I modded it how it was possible and have all except User Port - so I added there standard PS/2 keyboard connector - but DTV FPGA board accepts not USB to PS/2 standard adapter.

Compaq 486 has also available PS/2 connectors - one for keyboard and one for mouse. Problem is the same.

I know that PS/2 is not hot-plug interface - but don't understand why these two computers accepting not standard USB to PS/2 adapters.
So, I need real conversion - it means also protocol and controller - so now it is more clear.
Has anybody any idea what to do?

Thank you for all.
MiroA passive USB to PS/2 adaptor relies on the keyboard understanding that it is connected via an adaptor, the USB keyboard then needs to send out PS/2 signals. If the keyboard doesn't support this then it will not work with a passive adaptor. An active adaptor will actually convert the USB keyboard signals to PS/2 ones so will (in theory) work with any USB keyboard. Of course, when working with old hardware, there are often issues, but you will definitely have better luck with an active adaptor. I've used them in the past to connect a really old (1980s) PS/2 keyboard to a modern machine over USB where the keyboard is too old to handle a passive PS/2 to USB adaptor.Thank you.

Is possible to buy active USB to PS/2 converter for example on eBay?

MiroLooks like while active ps/2 to usb is pretty common, usb to ps/2 is much rarer. You'd need to dig around to see if you can find such andapter. If not, you may end up having to investigate options. Is there any reason that you have to use a USB keyboard and can't just find an actual PS/2 one?Hi!

I found one.
It's USB to PS/2 or vice versa.
I found in description same problem as my problem and it solved this adapter in seller case.
I was searching on eBay for not cheap adapters to be sure and really this is the one.

Thank you very much for your help especially.
Also thank you all for help in this thread.

MiroMIRKOSOFT.
Every body here is confused about what you are doing?
First of all is this something your really have to have or is it something you would like?

Do you have two computers? if so, what is the proper designation of each?
Does each computer have a working keyboard?

Jere is what I think you have.
1. An older PC made by Compaq with a keyboard.
2. A Commodore 64 that does not have an external keyboard.

You would like to use a switch to use one keyboard for both computers.
Is that what you want?
I repeat, the Commodore never, ever has a PS/2 connector. It is NOT a PS/2 connector.
I am often wrong. But I think I am right on this. The commodore 64 never had a PS/2 connector. Some few users modify the Commode to use a PS/2 keyboard. It is never easy. It requires very specific things to make it work.

I can not get the URL to work here. If you med the information, I will ha veto make a URL for the site. It describe an elaborate modification to force the Commodore to ;use a PS/2 keyboard. If it were easy, they would have found it earlier. There are more sites like tart.

Also, there is a way to get USB support on the Commodore. But hat is another thing.

EDIT: Here is indirect URL: https://tinyurl.com/C64-to-PS2

Solve : USB to PS/2 mouse or keyboard converter - active or true?

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