Description
Some of the most common questions and Google search queries that we receive are:
Answer. 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
(typical examples of passive ps/2 to USB adapters that are not true ps/2 to USB signal converters)
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/input/default.mspx
Question. 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.
A. 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)
http://www.freescale.com/files/microcontrollers/doc/ref_manual/DRM014.pdf
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.
A. 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.
Question: Why is it so hard to find an USB adapter that will make a vintage IBM keyboard interface with a modern Intel motherboard.
Answer: Online reports indicate that vintage IBM ps/2 keyboards pull up to 25x-40x more current compared to modern keyboards. see references: (http://swvincent.com/ibm-model-m-power/index.html, http://web.archive.org/web/20080228180642/http://www.geocities.com/jszybowski/keyboard/index.htm). One way to resolve this problem to add resistors to change the voltage, or an easier non-destructive fix is to use an active ps/2 to USB plug-in converter with built-in electronics.
…works in Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit).
…works well with some consumer-grade and most industrial rackmounted KVM switches
…works with other, older vintage keyboards which use the basic set of 101-keys, including older Tandy (Radio Shack), Northgate, Dell, Gateway, Zenith, Hewlett Packard (HP).
…works with other ps/2 keyboard-like devices such as barcode scanners, vintage game controllers, remote control pointers for PowerPoint.
…works so that it can be used early in OS boot process to access BIOS startup menus (must be supported in BIOS).
…and of course.. does not work with ps/2 mice or trackballs. This is a specific ps/2 to USB KEYBOARD converter and it will not work as a ps/2 to USB MOUSE converter.
Popular Driver Updates for Joytech PS2 to USB Adapter
Joytech PS2 to USB Adapter Driver Update UtilitySupported OS: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XPFile Version: Version 3.8.0 File Size: 269 KB File Name: DriverFinderInstall.exeOverall Rating: |
ps2 to usb controller convertor (pc) DriverJoytechDevice Type: Game ControllerSupported OS: Win XP Home, Win XP Pro, Win 2000 Workstation, Win 2000 Server, Win ME, Win 98SE, Win 98 File Version: Version 2.0.10.0 Release Date: 2001-09-23 File Size: 1.6 MB File Name: joytech_pc-playstation_adapter.zipOverall Rating: (16 ratings, 17 reviews) 19,488 Downloads Submitted Apr 8, 2006 by stoney (DG Member): 'original install file from manufactures cd' |
JS-909A DriverJoytechDevice Type: Game ControllerSupported OS: Win XP Home, Win XP Pro File Version: Version 2.0.10.0 Release Date: 2001-09-23 File Size: 1.6 MB File Name: PS2ToUsbControllerConverter.zipOverall Rating: (14 ratings, 14 reviews) 4,013 Downloads Submitted Dec 29, 2003 by Andy Yu (DG Member): 'Claims to work on Windows 98/Me/2000/XP. Tested on WinXP with PS and PS2 controllers. v2.0.10.0.' |
ps2 to usb controller DriverJoytechDevice Type: Other DevicesSupported OS: Win XP Home, Win XP Pro File Version: Version 2.0.10.0 Release Date: 2001-09-23 File Size: 822.1 KB File Name: dv011107.zipOverall Rating: (5 ratings, 6 reviews) 2,627 Downloads Submitted Dec 20, 2003 by Matthew Philips (DG Member): 'Joytech (play.com)PS2 to USB Controller ConverterWindows 98/ME/2000/XP' |
Super Joy Box 13 DriverMayflashDevice Type: Game ControllerSupported OS: Win XP Home, Win XP Pro, Win 2000 Workstation, Win ME, Win 98SE File Size: 464.8 KB File Name: NGC_TO_USB_series.EXEOverall Rating: (2 ratings, 2 reviews) 816 Downloads Submitted Jun 14, 2005 by Brian (DG Member): 'This is the driver install file that came with the Super Joy Box 13 Gamecube controller to PC USB adapter. I had quite a time extracting this from the floppy it shipped with, and so I thought if anyone else had problems with it they could download it from here.' |
PS2®/PSone™ PC Dream Adapter (USB Computer Adapter) DriverDreamGEARDevice Type: USBSupported OS: Win XP Home, Win XP Pro File Size: 517.6 KB File Name: USB.EXEOverall Rating: (10 ratings, 10 reviews) 2,026 Downloads Submitted Feb 25, 2006 by Khat (DG Member): 'This is the driver for the DREAMGEAR Playstation / Playstation2 Controller to USB Converter. I'm uploading the driver because I purchased 2 of them, and one of the driver diskettes was blank. It works on XP-Pro, and may probably work on other OSes. Hope it helps and you find it online a lot easier ...' |
SAM-PCPB DriverGreat Asia Electronic CoDevice Type: Game ControllerSupported OS: Win XP Home, Win XP Pro, Win 2000 Server, Win ME, Win 98SE, Win 98 File Version: Version 1.2001.10.9 Release Date: 2001-09-18 File Size: 292.7 KB File Name: PSOEPCUSBA_ps2_usb_adapter_instructions.zipOverall Rating: (7 ratings, 7 reviews) 674 Downloads Submitted Jan 13, 2005 by Kevin Johnson (DG Member): 'This driver is for the PS1/PS2 to USB adapter sold by Dragon PC (Sam Group). I found it on consolesource.com, where I bought the controller adapter. When you install the adapter, Windows XP will install it, but the analog controls will not work properly until you install this driver. The file properties ...' |
PC045 DriverMayflashSource: Manufacturer Website (Official Download)Device Type: Removable Drive Supported OS: Win 7, Win Vista File Size: 555.8 KB File Name: Wii_20classic_20to_20USB_20Adapter_20Vista-Win7_20setup.exe188 Downloads Submitted Apr 4, 2011 by Karthika (DG Staff Member): 'Wii Classic Controller to USB Adapter Driver' |
PC045 DriverMayflashSource: Manufacturer Website (Official Download)Device Type: Removable Drive Supported OS: Win XP Home, Win XP Pro, Win 2000 Workstation, Win 2000 Server, Win ME, Win 98 File Size: 503.8 KB File Name: Wii_20classic_20to_20USB_20adapter_20XP-2000-Me-98_20setup.exe27 Downloads Submitted Apr 4, 2011 by Karthika (DG Staff Member): 'Wii Classic Controller to USB Adapter Driver' |
DrawingBoard III DriverCalCompDevice Type: Input Devices (mouse, etc.)Supported OS: Win XP Home, Win XP Pro File Size: 1.4 MB File Name: TWUSB98Me2kXp211.exeOverall Rating: (9 ratings, 10 reviews) 2,656 Downloads Submitted Dec 4, 2003 by Chad A. Weber (DG Member): '*Serial to USB Adapter Windows*98/2000/Me/XP TabletWorks V7.05 with USB Wintab(tm) driver V2.11.0225.The USB-to-Serial Adapter allows serial tablets to be connected to a computer via the USB bus. It includes TabletWorks drivers that allow Wintab(tm) compliant applications to communicate with the tablet. ...' |
PC-201 DriverTecnoshowDevice Type: Removable DriveFile Size: 1.4 MB File Name: PC-201.zip80 Downloads Submitted Nov 17, 2010 by Gitanjali (DG Staff Member): 'USB Adapter TO PS2 Control Driver File' |