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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: Bellzemos on January 20, 2011, 06:49:42 PM
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Hello!
I bought a PS/2 to USB adapter so that I can use my old PS/2 keyboard on my laptop.
(http://eu.startech.com/media/products/gc46mfkey/Small/GC46MFKEY.small.jpg)
When I pluged in Windows XP found that there is something pluged in but I can't get it to work nor recognise what it is.
Do I need some special PS/2 to USB driver or what? Where can I obtain it? I'm planning to use this PS/2 keyboard on my new Windows 7 64-bit laptop too, will it work?
Thank you!
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On the hardware devices applet of Control Panel, does any device appears as unknown (with an "?") there?
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No. When I connect the keyboard via USB adapter a baloon in the tray appears, saying "The USB device cannot be found." (or something like that). Also if I type on that keyboard, the same baloon apears. If I click on the baloon, this appears:
(http://www.shrani.si/f/2h/yj/4KexnMZR/rg.jpg)
Any idea how to make it work?
Thank you!
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Nobody knows? :(
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Seems the keyboard is not being recognized.
Can you search the manufacturer page to check if there is a driver for it?
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You need to download a driver for PS/2 to USB adapter only if you've buy the product comes with a keyboard like Logitech, if you just buy the PS/2 to USB adapter that doesn't belong to the correct keyboard brand without the driver it won't work on it own in a different keyboard brand.
Edit: PS/2 to USB adapter might work on a laptop unless you have the correct driver depends where the laptop brand is built, for example if your laptop is HP brand goto HP website and find the correct driver for PS/2 to USB adapter for your OS.
PS/2 to USB adapter mainly work on an old OS like Win95 right up to WinXP, and I believe the PS/2 to USB adapter doesn't support Vista and Win7 any more. What I would recommend is getting and extra USB Hub connection http://www.belkin.com/au/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=461219 (http://www.belkin.com/au/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=461219) or a Swivel Hub for your laptop http://www.belkin.com/au/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=379793 (http://www.belkin.com/au/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=379793) to connect a USB keyboard.
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Thank you for help.
My PS/2 keyboard brand is Cherry and my laptop brand is Lenovo. I don't know what brand is my PS/2 to USB adapter (my friend got if from a friend who doesn't need it anymore). I can't find the PS/2 to USB driver (Cherry nor Lenovo).
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Thank you for help.
My PS/2 keyboard brand is Cherry and my laptop brand is Lenovo. I don't know what brand is my PS/2 to USB adapter (my friend got if from a friend who doesn't need it anymore). I can't find the PS/2 to USB driver (Cherry nor Lenovo).
No worries ;)
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If the picture is of the actual item, I don't think it's a PS/2 to USB adapter. It looks like a plug extension which allows a device with both PS/2 and USB (aka "combo") circuitry to connect to a PS/2 port.
Does the keyboard actually say that it supports PS/2 interface?
If it doesn't have a "combo" chip, it won't work.
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No, it is an adapter/converter, PS2 to USB connection I have a few of them lying around.
The keyboard doesn't say it supports anything, it has a physical PS2 male connection on the end of the cable or is would have a USB male connection on the end.
@ Bellzemos
The problem for whatever reason is that the laptop appears to think that this is a USB stick. I don't know if there is setting that you have to change to use an external keyboard. See http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=use+external+keyboard+for+lenovo+laptop (http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=use+external+keyboard+for+lenovo+laptop) there may be a few there of use.
You could try a wireless keyboard as they usually use a USB dongle or a USB keyboard. It may be that the internal wiring for the adaptor connection isn't right for the lenovo, but that doesn't really fly as it should be a standard fit.
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Bellzemos what is the model number of the Cherry keyboard? I will poke around in the Cherry knowledgebase to see if I can find something there.
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Thank you all for help, really! My keyboard is Cherry RS 6000 M. Hm, I don't think that my laptop thinks that the external keyboard is a USB stick, there's no new drive letter in the Windows Explorer...
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Having a hard time finding info using RS 6000 M. Is there a manufacturer number that starts with a G anywhere on the board?
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There is a part number and a serial number.
Part n.: G83-6105LRNSL-0 /02
Serial n.: G 0053420 3 R18 3 III
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...well? :P
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Well have you not tried the google searches suggested.
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Bellzemos, I can not find anything on this. I searched the Cherry website and could not find any driver downloads or anything in the knowledgebase that would answer this. Maybe you could open a ticket at the Cherry website. I have found ps/2 to usb adapters everywhere (passive). Also have found an adapter that has an integrated circuit built into it. Was about $20 and I don't know if it would solve your problem anyway. To me, it wouldn't be worth the cost especially not knowing if it would actually work.
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The cheaper option would be to get a cheap usb keyboard (borrow one from a friend) and see if that works, if not then it is more than just the ps2 to usb connector.
You may have to disable the notebook keyboard, something I have seen mentioned in a number of those google search hits. The only problem with this being if you disable the keyboard and the external keyboard (whichever one or connection you use) doesn't work, how do you re-enable it.
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I've searched all over the net for info in this but found nothing useful. Some guy sugested that for PS/2 connection I have to shutdown the laptop, connect the keyboard and then start up the laptop. That didn't help either. When I connect the keyboard the lights on it light for a sec and if I press a key windows notifies me about an error, so that means that there is a signal. I don't know, I can't find any drivers for this, I'm afraid I'll have to discard my good old keyboard. I will probably buy a USB external keyboard but it can't find any that would suit me like the old one. :( Plus I'll have to spend extra money... Well, thank you all anyway. I'm sorry I even bought the PS/2 to USB adapter.
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Yes, PS2 connections aren't hot swappable you have to connect then reboot. I permanently have a second mouse (ps2) connected as one of the tools I use before windows boots won't accept my wireless usb mouse.
Tons of cherry usb keyboards out there, http://www.google.com/search?q=cherry+usb+keyboard (http://www.google.com/search?q=cherry+usb+keyboard), click on the Shopping link at the top of the page and you will see lots order by price and you will find some cheap ones.
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If the picture is of the actual item, I don't think it's a PS/2 to USB adapter. It looks like a plug extension which allows a device with both PS/2 and USB (aka "combo") circuitry to connect to a PS/2 port.
Does the keyboard actually say that it supports PS/2 interface?
If it doesn't have a "combo" chip, it won't work.
Spot on.
This is simply a dum converter, ie it simply changes the pin output and does not change the signal. It assumes the keyboard has the intelligence ie the circuitry to change the signal and switch between usb and PS/2 mode.
This is why not all PS/2 keyboards support these PS/2 to USB adapters and likewise why not all USB keyboards support USB to PS/2 adapters.
You can however buy more expensive PS/2 to USB converters that have the circuitry to convert the signal but for the price you may as well buy a usb keyboard.