This PS/2 USB Adapter converts a single USB port into two universal PS/2 ports, letting you connect any PS/2 peripheral (e.g. Windows typing program. Mouse, keyboard) to a computer through USB. Supporting plug and play installation, the PS/2 USB adapter offers a cost-effective way to bridge legacy PS/2 peripherals with a more modern, USB-capable computer.
Description Some of the most common questions and Google search queries that we receive are: Question: How do I connect my favorite ps/2 keyboard to a new computer that only has USB ports? Older keyboards typically use a ps/2 connector (round connector with 4 or 6 pins). If you want to connect your older keyboard to a new PC you will need to physically change the ps/2 plug to a USB plug (rectangular, flat connector). Ps/2 connector USB connector Question: My cheap ps/2-USB green or purple adapter is not auto-detected by Windows plug and play and I can’t get it to work.
Where can I download the drivers? (typical examples of passive ps/2 to USB adapters that are not true ps/2 to USB signal converters) Answer: The vast majority of commonly available ps2 to USB converters are simple passive ADAPTERS that simply change the plug shape to match the outlet. These ADAPTERS only function to connect the ps/2 wires to the approximate USB wires. Simple ps/2 to USB adapters do not use specific software drivers. In general, most users having trouble connecting their keyboard to newer computers are looking for a ps/2 to USB signal CONVERTER. These devices use an integrated circuit (pre-programmed chip) to actively translate the ps/2 keyboard signal and convert it into a USB keyboard signal.
This allows the vintage ps/2 keyboard to be automatically recognized by the operating system as if it were a standard, modern USB keyboard. A well-designed active ps/2 to USB converter will use the built-in operating system drivers for a USB keyboard (for example in Microsoft Windows XP, kbdclass.sys and kbdhid.sys). Why can’t I just make the ps/2 physical adapter and USB converter myself. It must be a cheap and simple thing to do.
I am teh 3733t hX0R. If you are a master electronics technician with degrees in EE, you could of course take the time and money to do it yourself. See link for 36-page technical schematics and designer reference manual for MC68HC908JB8.
(or you could just buy the pre-built adapter listed on our page) Question: I am very familar with ’puters and am good with a screwdriver and I know how to open my computer. Why can’t I buy an expansion card with a ps/2 port that fits into a PCI slot. I have seen these before on my computers at work and they must be readily available. As a corporate IT admin and systems engineer in real-life, I have seen Dell computers with ps/2 ports on the back of computers where the PCI slot covers are. However, this specialized part sold by Dell (part# F3636) was only intended to be used with certain Dell Optiplex computers. This part does not actually plug into any PCI slots of the motherboard, but insteads uses a 24-pin ribbon cable to connect directly to a special connector on certain Dell Optiplex motherboards.