deskthority

Today I bought a cheap-ass PS2 to USB adapter form my Compaq MX11800. The adapter looks just like this
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/sho ... =!ORDERID!
and was the last unit in stock at the local store. Please note that the MX11800 has actually TWO PS2 connectors - one for the keyboard and the second for the integrated trackball. So i tried to plug in the keyboard only, but that does not seem to work. The leds on the keyboard do blink though when the usb is connected - but after that the keyboard won't work anywat. I wonder if the adapter is to blame (build quality looks really cheap and the connector does not seem to stand firmly in it). Or rather, do I need to plug both the connectors in?

I think you need a better converter. Windows or OSX user?

OSX...

i'll try tomorrow with mine; it wprks fine on windows and linux
i've got a mac mini in double boot macosx win xp
But i have that one
http://www.materiel.net/cable-adaptateu ... -5337.html

Ok

i plugged in the adaptator and the keyboard works fine on macosx.5/macmini, maybe it's time to change your adaptator
I've had to remap the capslock key to command.

The trackball is odd indeed; you can ajuste the sensitivity though.

the best imo if you dont have a cmd key is to remap:
ALT -> CMD
CTRL -> OPTION (ALT)
CAPS -> CTRL

Thanks guys! I'll get a more reliable adapter and remap!

how do you do this on macosx , i used preference pane/keyboard/key modifier and switched some options there.

Do you use some specific software. By the way do you map the numbers row ?

I do it from the preferences like you did I guess, maybe they are not available on 10.5 but on 10.6? I'm using 10.6

Cheap ass ps/2 converters are cheap ass.

Unless you are this guy named Kishy on Geekhack. Then it is worth your time buying 20 of them to try.

For one of those two PS/2 plug keyboards, the Belkin USB adapter would be the most ideal solution.

tested the same keyboard and the same adptator on an Imac 2010 macosX.6 : works fine

Thanks Gilgam, I sent for an adapter like yours!

prego

In other news I figured out this combo works.

This picture is so wrong on so many levels.

What keyboard is that? It looks like an Apple ripoff...

It's affectionately called the HHKB Killah! in America. Review here.

Called an Apple ripoff everywhere else.

My adaptator arrived today. It's exactly the same Gilgam suggested... now the keyboard actually works, can't say the same for the trackball though. The system detects it, but i can't seem to use it for some reason. Anything I can do about this?

Great, the whole thing worked for about six minutes, then, for no particular reason, died. I can't seem to get it to work again! That's so annoying! When my Filco arrives, I'm just going to pull off those keycaps and cut all this nonsense!

the keyboard died or the adaptator ?

It's the adaptator for sure! I opened it to check up and I found a loosely soldered wire. This is bad luck! Maybe I could fix it if I had an iron, but I don't think I'll bother after all. I got my Filco tenkeyless today, so I'll just use that!

Shoulda got a Blue Cube or Belkin.

I think Kishy is still looking for a good reliable dongle.

The result is far from great, maybe I should put all the black modifiers back. I couldn't swap the right shift, which is much shorter on the Compaq, nor the left Caps Lock, which is off-center. Anyway! Cherry PBTs feel better than original Filcos, and they speak my language! I find it good enough as a temporary solution.

I have tried all the three adapters I have (blue cube, hama, conceptronic) with my new G80-1501HAD/11 with OSX.
Hama and Conceptronic works ok, with the blue cube my num lock led stays always on. No idea why.

Make sure you get SOMETHING.

Modern motherboards don't support PS/2 so well.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?1730 ... -I-restart.

ripster wrote:Make sure you get SOMETHING.

Modern motherboards don't support PS/2 so well.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?1730 ... -I-restart.

But it works anyway with all the adapters. Plus I have noticed...
Blue cube: I can press max 5 keys together
Hama: 6 keys, next one resets all the keys
Conceptronic: 6 keys, next one just does not anything

[slash]Your testing seems off. I get 6KRO on a Blue Cube.[/slash]

Oops. You're right. 5KRO on a Model F AT through a Blue Cube. Technically it's 5KRO + 3 modifiers. Stupid Model F AT lacks window keys.

Blue Cube is not the best. It has bugs (i.e. the Shift/Cursor bug) and is too bulky for crowded USB ports.

If the OP had gotten a Blue Cube he'd be up and running right now.