OK KYB

June 4, 2007 5:59 PM

How can I use my precious AT keyboard on a laptop with only a USB connector?

I love my circa 1985 PC's Limited keyboard. I've had no problem plugging it in to a desktop's PS/2 connector with the proper adaptor in between, but my laptop has only a USB port. I bought a PS/2-to-USB keyboard adaptor and chained them together, but it doesn't work. The keyboard freaks out a bit and blink its LEDs a lot.

Does anyone know how to make this work, or know anyone who knows anyone who has made this work? I've googled pretty hard but I'll be glad to find out that I missed something obvious.

posted by king walnut to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

There's a pretty good description of the problem (and the type of converter you need) to get the older IBM keyboards working off of a USB port at 'clickykeyboards.com', who buy/refurbish/resell the old IBM Model M clicky keyboards, that many programmers love.
posted by bemis at 6:18 PM on June 4, 2007

I have one that I'm not using and will mail it to you if you like, email's in profile.
posted by advicepig at 6:40 PM on June 4, 2007

Response by poster: bemis, my keyboard is AT style, not PS/2. I meant to mention that in the description, sorry. Nonetheless, I found some good information on the site you linked to, thanks. I have an adaptor that goes from AT to PS/2, and another that goes from PS/2 to USB, but chaining them together doesn't seem to work.
posted by king walnut at 6:48 PM on June 4, 2007

You need an active PS/2 to USB adapter. The passive adapter just connects the wiring and lets the keyboard switch modes, but there is no hardware in an AT style keyboard to handle USB mode. Chaining the AT to PS/2 adapter to the active PS/2 to USB adapter may work, but no guarantees. AT to passive PS/2 to USB will never work. What kind of keyboard do you have?
posted by BrotherCaine at 11:14 PM on June 4, 2007

Response by poster: Maxi-Switch model 2186002XX
posted by king walnut at 12:00 AM on June 5, 2007

Bemis and BrotherCaine nailed it. I have successfully done the chaining adaptors thing with an old AT keyboard I had lying around, so it definitely works if you use the right hardware.

In my case, it seems like I got lucky with the el cheapo A4Tech adapter I used, but I'm pretty sure the ones at Clickykeyboards.com should do the trick just fine. If in doubt, e-mail them: I have shopped with them in the past and they're extremely helpful folks, so they'll probably be able to confirm it for you.
posted by doctorpiorno at 12:55 AM on June 5, 2007

Check out http://monoprice.com. Dunno if they have what you're looking for, but you can't beat some of the deals they have.
posted by jammnrose at 1:26 AM on June 5, 2007

If you are that attached to it, you might want to buy a spare. Is it the tactile feedback or the left side function keys that make it work for you? You can kind of get left handed function keys by buying a gaming keyboard and using the macro keys as function keys. However, if it's the tactile feedback you like about it, you are probably out of luck for a replacement.
posted by BrotherCaine at 1:38 AM on June 5, 2007

Response by poster: advicepig has kindly offered his active adaptor, which pretty much beats all the deals out there.

And believe it or not, I have several spare keyboards of this model! Why do I love it? The left-side function keys, yes, but also because the control key is where God intended it and the rarely used capslock is out of the way. Also its quite a bit smaller than modern keyboards with all their extraneous keys.

Mine is PC's Limited branded, which was Dell before Dell was Dell.
posted by king walnut at 8:42 AM on June 5, 2007