Author Topic: Keyboard help. (Read 7376 times)

BigAznDaddy · « **on:** April 14, 2007, 07:58:16 pm »

Ok here is the problem i have microsoft's multi media keyboard and it doesn't seem to work.
it has a Ps2 connector so i bought a Ps2 to usb adapter and when i plug it in windows says it does not recognize the keyboard.. help please.
heres my keyboard i want to use

adapter: cost $2

Error message:

Help please.

Newby · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2007, 09:10:43 pm »

I have both!

BigAznDaddy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2007, 10:06:25 pm »

Quote from: Newby on April 14, 2007, 09:10:43 pm

I have both!

sigh.... i think i figured out the problem... i have the green one which goes to the mouse.. i need the purple one.

Sidoh · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2007, 12:39:25 am »

Quote from: BigAznDaddy on April 14, 2007, 10:06:25 pm

sigh.... i think i figured out the problem... i have the green one which goes to the mouse.. i need the purple one.

They're the same thing. Keyboards and mice of that style use the same bus (PS/2) and both converters change it into USB.

What's the "HID Keyboard Device" shown on your list?

BigAznDaddy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2007, 12:47:58 am »

Quote from: Sidoh on April 15, 2007, 12:39:25 am

Quote from: BigAznDaddy on April 14, 2007, 10:06:25 pm
sigh.... i think i figured out the problem... i have the green one which goes to the mouse.. i need the purple one.

They're the same thing. Keyboards and mice of that style use the same bus (PS/2) and both converters change it into USB.

What's the "HID Keyboard Device" shown on your list?

my other keyboard i have in so i can type. but i thought the purple and the green were the same. so any suggestions.

Sidoh · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2007, 01:44:45 am »

Quote from: BigAznDaddy on April 15, 2007, 12:47:58 am

my other keyboard i have in so i can type. but i thought the purple and the green were the same. so any suggestions.

Wait, what? You just suggested that you thought they were different.

Um, I guess the first things I'd recommend you trying (if you haven't already) is trying different USB ports. If that doesn't work and you're sure the keyboard works, then it's almost certainly the adapter.

dark_drake · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2007, 03:41:31 am »

Have you tried unplugging your other keyboard and restarted the computer with the keyboard and adapter plugged in?

Sidoh · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2007, 05:33:37 am »

Quote from: dark_drake on April 15, 2007, 03:41:31 am

Have you tried unplugging your other keyboard and restarted the computer with the keyboard and adapter plugged in?

I don't think that would make a difference, but I guess it's worth a shot...

BigAznDaddy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2007, 11:57:23 am »

yeah so i tried the adapter with my other keyboards that for sure work and no luck it may be a problem with the adapter.
i also get this error message:

So now should i return it and go through the hassle of the people at the return desk. I mean it just 2 bucks. and frys is pretty big store so i am certain to find another one. and should i get a new adapter but the same make?? or should i get one that costs about $7.

Sidoh · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2007, 12:52:11 pm »

Just return it an ask for an exchange. There's probably a lot lets trouble to go through then. If another one of the same make doesn't work again, then yeah, I'd get a new model.

Newby · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2007, 12:55:32 pm »

It comes with a CD IIRC.

Sidoh · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2007, 01:00:44 pm »

Quote from: Newby on April 15, 2007, 12:55:32 pm

It comes with a CD IIRC.

Really? When I was working for the tech coordinator in HS, we ordered tons of those things and they never came with CDs. I'm really sure that I never had to install software to use them, even on Win98, which would seem to imply that they aren't necessary...

On a different note, bigazn, do you have any PS/2 mice around? I thought of a reason I could be wrong (and it's pretty obvious, but oh well...). USB is obviously has a lot of flexibility/ambiguity. Maybe the adapters have to communicate which type of device they're meant to be... I'm not sure. It's not really my area of expertise.

Edit -- Here's a helpful explanation:

Quote

Answer: The vast majority (95%+) of cheap ps2 to USB adapters are simple passive or pass-through devices that only function to connect the ps/2 wires to the approximate USB wires. These generic green or purple colored adapters do not have custom software drivers. They were intended to only be used with specific keyboards that have built-in logic that can auto-switch between ps/2 and USB modes.

In general, a well-designed converter will use an integrated circuit (IC chip) to actively translate the ps/2 keyboard signal and convert it into a USB keyboard signal. This allows the vintage ps/2 keyboard to be automatically recognized by the operating system as if it were a standard, modern USB keyboard. A well-designed active ps/2 to USB converter will use the built-in operating system drivers for a USB keyboard (for example in Microsoft Windows XP, kbdclass.sys and kbdhid.sys).

BigAznDaddy · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2007, 01:06:11 pm »

Quote from: Sidoh on April 15, 2007, 01:00:44 pm

Really? When I was working for the tech coordinator in HS, we ordered tons of those things and they never came with CDs. I'm really sure that I never had to install software to use them, even on Win98, which would seem to imply that they aren't necessary...

On a different note, bigazn, do you have any PS/2 mice around? I thought of a reason I could be wrong (and it's pretty obvious, but oh well...). USB is obviously has a lot of flexibility/ambiguity. Maybe the adapters have to communicate which type of device they're meant to be... I'm not sure. It's not really my area of expertise.

yes i do and it still does not work WTF i am getting fed up with this POS. ARG. maybe i should just buy a new keyboard.

BigAznDaddy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2007, 07:14:34 pm »

ok $10 bucks later i got a new adapter and now it works. my problem now is how do you bind keys on the keyboard ??

Sidoh · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2007, 07:20:51 pm »

Bind what keys on the keyboard to what? I'm assuming you mean the media keys, etc.

If they don't already work, chances are you're fucked.

iago · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2007, 08:11:41 pm »

The reason for all your problems is in the upper-left corner of the keyboard, in white.

I hate Microsoft keyboards. Why the hell would they hide Insert, but leave Caps Lock intact? What kind of justice is that!?

BigAznDaddy · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2007, 10:53:29 am »

Quote from: Sidoh on April 15, 2007, 07:20:51 pm

Bind what keys on the keyboard to what? I'm assuming you mean the media keys, etc.

If they don't already work, chances are you're fucked.

god damn i can use the media, mail,and web/home key. but i cant get "my documents, pictures, messenger and music" to work. is there any way possible to bind these or do something...
O and the f Lock is there any way to keep it on without pushing it every time?

Newby · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2007, 10:57:18 am »

No @ F-Lock, it should have came w/ a CD to get those other keys to work.

What I liked about Linux is that customizing those keys was a sinch.

Sidoh · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2007, 11:41:53 am »

Quote from: BigAznDaddy on April 16, 2007, 10:53:29 am

god damn i can use the media, mail,and web/home key. but i cant get "my documents, pictures, messenger and music" to work. is there any way possible to bind these or do something...
O and the f Lock is there any way to keep it on without pushing it every time?

You can download AutoHotKey to do that for you, but it takes some setup and I'm not sure the keys are even going to work. I'd recommend just buying a new keyboard at this point (if you really want to use them). They're not that much more expensive than the adapter you got.

Quote from: Newby on April 16, 2007, 10:57:18 am

What I liked about Linux is that customizing those keys was a sinch.

Not if the keys don't work at all...

iago · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2007, 12:08:33 pm »

Quote from: Newby on April 16, 2007, 10:57:18 am

No @ F-Lock

The other reason (besides the missing Insert key) that I traded my MS keyboard with somebody's Dell keyboard at night one day.

Quote from: Sidoh on April 16, 2007, 11:41:53 am

Not if the keys don't work at all...

Does that ever happen? I thought that the keypresses were registered as something, regardless of which keyboard it was, because in the end it's just an odd keystroke.

Sidoh · « **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2007, 05:28:58 pm »

Quote from: iago on April 16, 2007, 12:08:33 pm

Does that ever happen? I thought that the keypresses were registered as something, regardless of which keyboard it was, because in the end it's just an odd keystroke.

There could be something physically wrong with the keyboard. Plus, it sounds like the converter he bought is an active converter (I've never seen a passive converter for more than $5), so there could be something wrong with that (or it doesn't know what to do with the weird keys).

Newby · « **Reply #21 on:** April 16, 2007, 05:30:36 pm »

Quote from: Sidoh on April 16, 2007, 11:41:53 am

Quote from: Newby on April 16, 2007, 10:57:18 am
What I liked about Linux is that customizing those keys was a sinch.

Not if the keys don't work at all...

If they are physically busted nothing you can do, OS-independent.

iago · « **Reply #22 on:** April 16, 2007, 06:19:16 pm »

Well, I was assuming it was a general statement, not this particular situation.

Maybe I missed something.. why was a converter needed? Doesn't every non-server/non-laptop computer have a PS/2 port?

Newby · « **Reply #23 on:** April 16, 2007, 06:22:00 pm »

Some being built nowadays don't have them.

Although I realize the only reason I used my adapter was to go from USB to PS/2.

Sidoh · « **Reply #24 on:** April 16, 2007, 07:16:35 pm »

Quote from: Newby on April 16, 2007, 05:30:36 pm

If they are physically busted nothing you can do, OS-independent.

Oh, really? Thanks for pointing that out.

Quote from: iago on April 16, 2007, 06:19:16 pm

Maybe I missed something.. why was a converter needed? Doesn't every non-server/non-laptop computer have a PS/2 port?

Definitely not. I've seen a lot of desktops that don't have PS/2.

BigAznDaddy · « **Reply #25 on:** April 16, 2007, 08:04:05 pm »

Quote from: iago on April 16, 2007, 06:19:16 pm

Maybe I missed something.. why was a converter needed? Doesn't every non-server/non-laptop computer have a PS/2 port?

Definitely not. I've seen a lot of desktops that don't have PS/2.
[/quote]
yeah my dell 9200 doesn't have a ps/2 port if i did why would i bother with this topic. i think more and more computers are starting to get rid of ps/2 ports but i am not sure..

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Author Topic: Keyboard help. (Read 7376 times)