New Keyboard problems

[oldtimer]

Once it was so  easy, now there is too much choice. Spent several hour looking for a new keyboard but they all seem to have subtly different layouts.  The only one so far that suits is the logitech K120, but even that has a different layout to the one shown on the logitech site.  Anyway, I will believe EBuyer, amazon, curries, maplin et all who generally seem to agree to differ from the official logitech site.  Trouble is that it is a USB keyboard and I want to plug it into a PS2 based KVM setup.  There appear to be plenty of adapters around, but they apparently do not work.

Has anyone successfully connected USB to PS2??

 

At the mo. I am a bit b******d

 

edit to correct spelling

Its easy when you know how

[Robin Long]

This might be a solution to your problem

Cheers Knight,

RIP Spike09 Your Missed
If I'm not here, I'm there.

Finally joined Twitter! longr79

[oldtimer]

Thanks Robin.  I might have to go down that road and get a set of UK keyboard stickers to put the ” and the @ where they are supposed to be.

Its easy when you know how

[doctoryorkie]

Loads on ebay. What colour / specific keys do you need?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wyse-PS-2-Keyboard-/262814366633?hash=item3d30f4fba9:g:s4oAAOSwCGVX7PL7

Laptop T420 i5 8GB SSD 2x Spinners Optimus GFX
HTPC 5350 8GB SSD 2x Spinners Antec 300
Desktop 2700K 16GB Revo x2 GTX570SC Antec900
Server N54L 8GB SSD 6x Spinners HD6450

[The Duke]

I bought a £10 MS keyboard to tide me over as I was si k of trying, expensive for me, £30 and £40 ones and not getting on with them.

So I for the cheap ms on, to die me over till if found a good mechanical one, price wasn’t an issue.

However the MS one is brilliant, miles for a mechanical one, but imo it suits me.

Bob has the same cheapo one. I bet he can tell you the model.

Edit – Microsoft 600 £12.

Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600, UK Layout – Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001QT6V7A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_AieMybTXG7CYZ

[doctoryorkie]

Steve, That’s USB. OP wants PS2.

Laptop T420 i5 8GB SSD 2x Spinners Optimus GFX
HTPC 5350 8GB SSD 2x Spinners Antec 300
Desktop 2700K 16GB Revo x2 GTX570SC Antec900
Server N54L 8GB SSD 6x Spinners HD6450

[The Duke]

Mine came with a USB to PS2 adapter in the box.

[Ed P]

The problem MAY be a KVM issue – I remember Dave having a lot of issues with his KVM.

[Dave Rice]

That was more around the correct video resolution being detected and how to deal with it if it wasn’t.

However getting a USB keyboard working with a PS2 KVM was something I never cracked. I still keep an old PS2 k/b to deal with things like getting into the BIOS of older PCs.

I think the question here is when do you call time on anything? It’s the same as when cars start to become money pits, when do you say enough is enough.

At E-Buyer it’s going to cost about £30 for a new USB KVM (Aten CS22U) and something like the Logitech Desktop MK120 set or Microsoft Desktop 600 set. Then that’s the problem fixed once and for all.

[Bob Williams]

Steve I now use a Logitech K250 Comfort KB, better for my Rheumatoid. The MS one I gave to my monster No.2 gson, KB still going well. If it stands up to his massive mitts, it must be a good ‘un.

oldtimer, there is this on Fleabay:     https://tinyurl.com/jy7pj88     £5.99 mouse & KB, can’t be bad.

Dave, I have a hazy recollection that I had similar problems way back, but buying a complete set of KB & mouse, made for each other, was fine.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Dave Rice]

Bob, Old Timer needs a PS2 keyboard for his PS2 KVM, that’s what this is all about.

My argument is that at some stage the PS2 KVM is going to have to be retired, might as well be now.

The K250 being wireless wouldn’t be appropriate here any way, but on a general discussion about these things I do like Logitech kit and Microsoft do some very good stuff too.

I only own 1 wireless input device, the Logitech M557 mouse I use with the T420 laptop. I much prefer wired with desktops.

[Robin Long]

For me, I use an MS Comfort Curve 3000 wired keyboard old but works fine and does what I need it to USB connector, though! for the other rig its an Advent K112 again USB but nice clunky keys, I Like clunky!  Mice, I prefer wireless and the cheaper the better as I seem to go through them!  The Logitec M185 is my preferred choice with a decent size and good battery life though in gaming scenarios it is sometimes a little slow.

Cheers Knight,

RIP Spike09 Your Missed
If I'm not here, I'm there.

Finally joined Twitter! longr79

[Bob Williams]

Dave Rice wrote:

Bob, Old Timer needs a PS2 keyboard for his PS2 KVM, that’s what this is all about. My argument is that at some stage the PS2 KVM is going to have to be retired, might as well be now. The K250 being wireless wouldn’t be appropriate here any way, but on a general discussion about these things I do like Logitech kit and Microsoft do some very good stuff too. I only own 1 wireless input device, the Logitech M557 mouse I use with the T420 laptop. I much prefer wired with desktops.

 

Got it wrong Steve, it’s a K290 not a 250.  :wacko: I won’t have a wireless KB or mouse on the desktop, although SWMBO’s laptop has one, also a Logitech. The only time I am allowed near that is when something goes wrong (or looks wrong/different/difficult :scratch:  🙁 ) So I cannot remember the model.

I had forgotten about the KVM, I have one in the BitsBox somewhere and have not used it for a long time. Think you are right – why would anyone need it nowadays, too many better alternatives.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Ed P]

Just to maybe dot an i. From my reading it is a Bios detection issue, where the bios gets confused as it cannot see through the usb connection to ‘find’ a PS/2 connection. Very weird as when it comes down to basics both usbs and ps/2 connections are just serial interfaces.

[The Duke]

I like a wired solution, on the longe TV had a wirele# set up, that was a small logitech of some sort.

I drill wholes in my desk, on centre just north of the keyboards resting place, and one just north of the mouse mat. Just wider than a USB plug. May be a bit drastic, but it’s makes of an neat cable solution.

I Staple a zip tie to the underside and lock out the wire length. Usually the USB is just a short amout.enith for me to get the board stood up against the screen. And the mouse, has enough room to get way beyond the perimeter of the mouse mat.

Then I have all the wires neatley velcro’d together and hot glued to the underside  the desk.

In the name of tidyness also have I small 4 port usb 3 hub super glues flush with the edge of the desk for easy access an also in the name of laziness, I have a on/off button  glued to the underside of the desk next to the USB 3 hub. Though since win 10 I don’t think I ever turn the pc off, it just goes to sleep and turns on immediately.

 

 

[Dave Rice]

1m USB extention cables are dirt cheap Steve http://tinyurl.com/z5am45n

I plug them into the PC then the kb and mouse into them because, as you say, they are always just a bit short after navigating the desk – especially as I don’t drill holes.

For the one motherboard / case I have with no USB 3 (in the workshop) I use this cable just brought around the case from the rear ports and have the USB 3 sata dock permanently plugged into the other one.

Never thought about a cable tie, but I have some Self Adhesive Cable Tie Mounts so I may give that ago as I’m always getting my right foot tangled up.

[The Duke]

I have some usb extentions , but and a USB 3 one for USB 3 hub, I also have a USB 2 hub but that’s tucked away, at the back (actually its hot clues to the back of a monitor. That has sound, mic and a hdd plugged in etc, the set and forget things.

I use the usb3 one for daily duty. I don’t have much usb 3 kit, 1x portable Sammy hdd, and my phones, and the transfer speed alway amazes me. I had to get a pci to usb card to retro fit it in. Only hald it about a year now. It replaces a low profile USB 2 and card reader. I use a USB to micro adapter now, as micro sd has won that battle. Though I have a camera that take the old Sony duo card. So I have a duo to usb convertor, blutac’d to the underside of the desk.

But by far my greatest item pc related is the on/off/standby button extention, I mentioned in the last thread. It always annoyed me crawling under the desk to turn it on. Especially when my back was playing up.

Them self adhesive tidies look good. I bay the rolls of velcro and hot glue them where they are needed. The hold well enough and are reusable. And you can make them as big as you need.

I had to get anal about my wiring once we got the dogs. One day one pulled a load if wires out, when he got tangled, running under excited! So now it’s really neat. Unlike the wire on any pc I’ve built. I just leave the top Bay empty and cram all the wires in there. Job done.

Top tip for ssd installation, hot glue to the bottom of the case. I love hot glue.

[Author]

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