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Thread ID: 22625 2002-07-26 01:37:00 Serial and PS/2 plugs Susan B (19) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
65490 2002-07-26 01:37:00 Those PS/2 plugs for the mouse and keyboard - they are the round ones, right? I mean, the serial ones are rectangular, aren't they?

I want to know which type are normal/common on new machines, PS/2 or serial? My old 486 machine has a serial mouse and PS/2 keyboard but the Pent II 266 has PS/2 for both.

That's assuming I've got the names around the right way. :O

So which type is the type to go for these days?

And before I get flamed for asking such a dumb question, I have searched the web and can't find anywhere that will tell me. I'd rather make a dick of myself on here than in a busy PC shop. :D
Susan B (19)
65491 2002-07-26 01:44:00 PS2 (the round mini-din) ones are common now, serial RS232 ports are fewer and further between these days. One PC here doesnt have Serial, only PS2 and USB

Both keyboards and mice can be found as USB as well (small flat plug) these days.
godfather (25)
65492 2002-07-26 01:44:00 Susan B, your last para is the wrong gender!!!Naughty Poppa John ]:) Poppa John (284)
65493 2002-07-26 01:54:00 I think it goes like this Susan, older AT clones used a DIN plug of about 13mm diameter with 5 pins, for the keyboard, and a rectangular plug with tapered sides and 9 socket holes for the serial mouse.
Many brand names like IBM (where PS/2 comes from), Compaq, Acer, etc used the small about 8mm DIN diameter plugs with 6 pins for both keyboard and mouse. They have a small index key between the pins.

Nowadays all computers will have provision for the PS/2 type keyboard and mouse, together with USB of course. The AT style has gone.

Now I'm prepared to be corrected if I have it wrong.
Terry Porritt (14)
65494 2002-07-26 02:02:00 Sounds about right :) Elwin Way (229)
65495 2002-07-26 02:06:00 Terry is right. Some 486's still had larger DIN plugs bu no pentiums to my knowledge
The technical term for the RS232 plug is DB9 connector
I tend to stay away from USB mice/keyboards only on the grounds that I use a KVM switch and they are insupported.

FYI Susan a KVM switch is a Keyboard / Video / Mouse switch, I have 2 PC's but only 1 monitor mouse and keyboard. Simply pressing Ctrl twice in rapid sucession instantly transfers between computers. Keeps the rest of my desk free.
KVM switches tend to rely on the PS/2 connections to the computers to power them and they dont have USB capability (well, mine doesnt anyway)
godfather (25)
65496 2002-07-26 05:05:00 Thank you for the info, you guys are wonderful . :x

The reason I'm asking is because one can choose between a serial mouse and a PS/2 mouse and as you probably know, I'm currently in the process of building up a hardware list for my new PC .

When the opportunities present themselves I'll be able to just whip out my list and know exactly what I need .

godfather, your explanation of KVM switches was timely, I was wondering about those this morning, now I know .
Susan B (19)
65497 2002-07-26 05:31:00 The KVM is great . Used to have to reasonable Pentiums on them, could be burning a data CD on one and working on the other .

Upgraded SWMBO so now I have second one as a P266 celeron, and using that is like wading through porridge . . . .

PS2 will be around for a while I think . Recently bought an Optical PS2 mouse (Castrated Mouse) . Just great, works on anything . $38! (Those DSE cards are worth it sometimes, when specials are limited to card hoders)
godfather (25)
65498 2002-07-26 06:37:00 Hey Godfather, there were DIN keyboards on pentium machines. We got a bunch of P133's at work with them (all but 1 retired now) wotz (335)
65499 2002-07-26 06:51:00 Wondered about that after I posted, because I remembered giving away an old AT keyboard for a P166, so the transition lasted that long... godfather (25)
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