How to select and buy PCI card with PS/2 port for older keyboard.
July 21, 2007 10:09 PM Subscribe
How to select and buy PCI card with PS/2 port for older keyboard.
I need to connect a PC keyboard with PS/2 termination to my PC, but the PC lacks a PS/2 port. I've tried a PS/2 to USB adapter, but some keys then stick or don't work correctly.
I know I can buy a PCI slot card that has a PS/2 port, but I've been unable to find a) which is the right one for my PC (Dell Dimension 9100) and b) where to buy it.
I have Googled this, used Yahoo answers, and asked the tech support gurus at my work, but no good answers. Ideas?
I need to connect a PC keyboard with PS/2 termination to my PC, but the PC lacks a PS/2 port. I've tried a PS/2 to USB adapter, but some keys then stick or don't work correctly.
I know I can buy a PCI slot card that has a PS/2 port, but I've been unable to find a) which is the right one for my PC (Dell Dimension 9100) and b) where to buy it.
I have Googled this, used Yahoo answers, and asked the tech support gurus at my work, but no good answers. Ideas?
Best answer: people trying to use ibm model m keyboards (not that you are, but it still may be applicable) have noticed irregularities with ps2/usb converters, especially on certain dells. you may want to try a better quality of usb converter.
posted by dorian at 10:26 PM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by dorian at 10:26 PM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Have you tried using a USB keyboard (not a ps/2 keyboard with adapter)? Buying a USB keyboard would be less of a hassle than getting a PS/2 PCI card.
Yes, but I use a very specific model of MS Natural Keyboard. Its old and faded, but has the best shape and key feel of any I've tried. I bought one of their newer models, but its layout sucks, and the buttons are not freely assignable, so I dumped it.
posted by 4midori at 11:15 PM on July 21, 2007
Yes, but I use a very specific model of MS Natural Keyboard. Its old and faded, but has the best shape and key feel of any I've tried. I bought one of their newer models, but its layout sucks, and the buttons are not freely assignable, so I dumped it.
posted by 4midori at 11:15 PM on July 21, 2007
To expand on dorian's answer, here is Clickykeyboards' FAQ on PS/2 to USB adaptors.
posted by flabdablet at 4:27 AM on July 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 4:27 AM on July 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks all. The PS/2-to-USB converter from clickykeyboards.com looks like just what I need.
posted by 4midori at 8:13 AM on July 22, 2007
posted by 4midori at 8:13 AM on July 22, 2007
Awesome, I was wondering why free USB/PS2 adapters sucked.
posted by rhizome at 10:46 AM on July 22, 2007
posted by rhizome at 10:46 AM on July 22, 2007
Response by poster: Checking back. I tried the clickykeyboards USB-PS/2 converter, but it had the same problems.
So, does anyone know how to find a PCI-slot PS/2 port? I saw them somewhere, but don't know how to spec one. My PC is a Dell Dimension 9100.
Alternately, if there is an ergo keyboard out there that is a carbon copy of the Microsoft Natural (not elite) keyboard, that would work as well.
I tried a newer Natural MS Ergo model, but doesn't work as well as it looks.
Thx.
posted by 4midori at 7:28 PM on August 6, 2007
So, does anyone know how to find a PCI-slot PS/2 port? I saw them somewhere, but don't know how to spec one. My PC is a Dell Dimension 9100.
Alternately, if there is an ergo keyboard out there that is a carbon copy of the Microsoft Natural (not elite) keyboard, that would work as well.
I tried a newer Natural MS Ergo model, but doesn't work as well as it looks.
Thx.
posted by 4midori at 7:28 PM on August 6, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rancidchickn at 10:17 PM on July 21, 2007