Ape said:
I have a PS2 keyboard and a PS2 mouse. Can I use an adapter (female
PS2 to USB male) to connect them to a desktop that only has USB, not
PS2? I think I remember reading somewhere that sometimes adapters
will not work.
Not unless the device itself supports and switches between the different
hardware protocols. If you have a PS2/USB keyboard then it comes with a
USB end on its cable and includes a passive PS2 converter dongle to
connect the keyboard to a PS2 port. If the keyboard only says it is USB
then you cannot use it on a PS2 port even if you have a USB-to-PS2
converter dongle. A passive converter dongle won't work unless the
device itself can switch between hardware protocols.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200272
This won't work with a USB-only keyboard. The keyboard has to support
both USB and PS2. The converter just changes the pinout to allow
connecting to the port. It's passive so it won't change USB to PS2.
Passive converts merely change the physical pinout of the port you want
to use. You use a passive "converter" with a USB+PS2 device. You need
to use a dual protocol device with a passive pinout converter. They
will not magically convert a USB-only device to a PS2 device, or visa
versa. With a USB+PS2 device, the "magic" is logic inside the device.
The device is the active converter that switching between the different
signaling needed based on what it detects for a port connection.
If the device itself doesn't support both hardware protocols then the
only way to do the conversion "magic" is with an *active* converter.
Active hardware protocol converters are expensive and outstrip the cost
of you finding and buying a device that has the correct hardware support
that you need.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200976
Here's an active converter that will adapt signaling based on detection
of physical port connection type. Notice the price. For this direction
of hardware protocol conversion, active converters are pricey. Just go
buy the right keyboard and save yourself a lot of money and eliminate a
chained device that reduces reliability. Luckily this looks like not
what you want as you want to convert in the other direction.
http://sewelldirect.com/Active-USB-to-PS2-Adapter.asp
This one claims to be an active converter from PS2 to USB. Lets you
connect a PS2-only keyboard to a USB port. It gets its power (to be an
active device) from the USB port into which it is plugged. This
direction of conversion (PS2 to USB) is easier and cheaper. Since this
is the direction of conversion you want, it is a cheap solution. I only
showed this one as an example. However, notice how fat it is. You will
block a paired USB port next to one used by this converter. The USB
male connector might be on one side (so it is flat on that side) to
leave open a sister USB port alongside but you won't be able to use
another one of these in the sister port. You'll also need room around
the USB port for the fat body to occupy. There may be cabled versions
of this to eliminate blocking of a sister USB port and not require so
much room around the USB port for the converter's PCB inside, like the
one Grinder suggested.
