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Thread ID: 39650 2003-11-13 02:54:00 Are there PS2 to USB adapters available? Billy T (70) Press F1
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191471 2003-11-13 02:54:00 Earlier this year I bought a Fellowes Micro-Trac USB trackball device from Harvey Norman for running PowerPoint presentations from my laptop and although primarily USB, it came with a neat little USB to PS2 adapter.

A friend saw it and wants one too, but HN don't have them now. DSE and Jaycar stock the identical device as a house brand but in PS2 only.

The USB to PS2 adapter is clearly a passive device that does a simple pin to pin conversion so the reverse should work equally well, but I can't seem to find one anywhere.

Do simple PS2 to USB adapters exist ?:|

Cheers

Billy 8-{) :|
Billy T (70)
191472 2003-11-13 03:10:00 Um.. bit confusing.

Which way are you wanting to go?

Convert a USB device to plug into PS2 port

or

Convert a PS2 device to plug into USB port?
CYaBro (73)
191473 2003-11-13 03:17:00 Doubt it, Billy . :D PS/2 is a straight out synchronous serial protocol . USB is quite a complicated protocol (probably with dedicated processors in the devices) . I am picking that any PS/2-USB device will have the chips for both protocols and can handle whatever it sees .

But I don't think that a plain PS/2 device will work plugged into a USB port; it won't have the brains . (You could make the adapter yourself: Jaycar have the USB plugs, and the miniDIN PS/2 sockets)
Graham L (2)
191474 2003-11-13 03:27:00 They do exist, I just don't know if you can buy them individually. I've got a USB mouse which has a USB to PS2 adaptor so it can plug into my PS2 port. somebody (208)
191475 2003-11-13 03:38:00 I suppose this would work:

www.dse.co.nz

DSE Code: XH6809
somebody (208)
191476 2003-11-13 04:29:00 Thanks Graham

The USB to PS2 adapter seems to be a simple pin for pin device, that is why I asked. I figured that if a USB mouse could communicate directly via a PS2 socket then a PS2 mouse should be able to communicate via USB. No drivers were involved for the former, but on reflection I have a serial to USB adapter that did require drivers so maybe there is more to it than I expected.

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
191477 2003-11-13 04:49:00 I think its the same story as the PS2->Serial converters, the mouse itself needs to support it.

Then again, I wouldn't be supprised if they can fit some kind of magic in the converter. Why not find a cheap mouse that includes one and try? (eg DSE $29 optical).
bmason (508)
191478 2003-11-13 04:51:00 AFAIK the "smarts" are built into the device (such as the mouse) which may recognise whats afoot, and communicate accordingly?

That would allow pin-to-pin simplicity of the adapter .

The mouse I use has a USB to PS2 converter .
If you try to use another USB device (including a USB only mouse) it clearly doesn't work .
godfather (25)
191479 2003-11-13 19:42:00 Yep, you're right godfather.

I have 2 mice here.

1st is a Microsoft Optical mouse in beige colour and has a USB plug and comes with a USB - PS2 adaptor. So this mouse works in either USB or PS2 port

2nd is a Microsoft Optical mouse in black and has a USB plug but doesn't come with a USB - PS2 adaptor. So this mouse only works in USB port. Using the Microsoft USB - PS2 adaptor that came with the other mouse doesn't work with this mouse.
CYaBro (73)
191480 2003-11-13 22:56:00 Thanks GF & CB

The Fellowes is definitely a intellectually challenged mouse, in that it requires no drivers etc, so the DSE/Jaycar PS2 only versions are likely to be even less able (probably Australian). ]:)

Cheers

Billy 8-{) :D
Billy T (70)
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