USB-->PS2 adapter WON'T WORK! Any advice?

[liveseeds]

I have just purchased a new Thinkpad (Win XP Pro), but it doesn't have a PS2 port.

I cannot get my USB-PS2 adapter to work. The keyboard and mouse lights light up, but don't work. I've tried multiple reboots (and the system does detect them in the device manager).

Long time ago I heard that some PCs had problems with some USB devices (due to lack of power) but I can't imagine a mouse/keyboard would cause that.

ANY HELP VERY VERY GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED!

 

[Accessdabbler]

Do you have 2 PS2 ports? Try switching the devices around. On many motherboards, one PS2 port is specific to a mouse while the other is specific to the keyboard.

 

[liveseeds]

NO! That is why I needed to buy a USB adapter so I could plug in my PS2 keyboard & mouse. (I didn't want to spend £100 on a port replicator).

I use something similar to this:

http://www.revealcable.co.uk/Large/1600/aa_1610.htm

I really don't understand why it doesn't work !

 

[cdogg]

There should be plenty of power coming from the USB port to power a PS2 device (as a matter of fact, there's more than you would get from a PS2 port).

I suspect that the adapter itself is the problem. Both devices are getting power, which is a good thing. However, the splitter part of the adapter is probably screwing it up somehow.

I suggest you buy a USB/PS2 adapter that only attaches a single PS2 device at one time. If that works, then you've discovered your problem and will have to use up two USB ports (one for each device). The other possibility is that one of your PS2 devices isn't playing well with the other. Try a different mouse and keyboard combo.

Good Luck!


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind"
[tab][tab]- Aristotle

 

[liveseeds]

Thanks - I suspect it could be a faulty device. The mouse/keyboard don't function on their own either.

I just bought it today, so I can return it, but it is hassle, and I don't know whether to get the same model or a different one (£20 instead of £15!)...ah well!

This product should be really basic!

 

[micker377]

I have a "handful" of USB - PS2 adapters that came with assorted mice. Some computers just won't accept these adapters. You can try to disable the onboard touch pad to see if that works. I've also found (on my Gateway) that a scroll mouse won't work because of the touchpad. I have to use a "plain" 2 button mouse.

 

[liveseeds]

Thanks for that. I'd like to think my brand new Thinkpad would work with it. It works when I plug in a spare USB mouse I have. I don't want to block both usb ports with mouse/keyboard...and all of my keyboards are ps2 anyway.

The PC detects the new device straight away but it wont work...I'm going to try another cable (from a competitor!)

 

[JMPUK]

Have you tried and re-installed Windows?
This is a stupid idea but it may work.

You should be able to re-install Windows on top of the existing one without loosing any application.

Try that before spending more money...

Good luck.

 

[liveseeds]

Bought another one (different brand / different supplier) - it worked first time. The amount of time this has wasted is so infuriating !

Thanks for everyones help.