Microsoft Keyboard USB problem

[Guest HLAMUTHNOSPAM@EARTHLINK.NET]

I have two MS keyboards...the natural ergonomic variety...the old one,

an Elite, works in USB and PS/2 modes but the newer Multimedia v.

1.0a will only work in the Ps/2 mode. I have the legacy mode set in

the bios. The USB connection is via an adaptor from the PS/2

connector. Issue for me is to switch to a USB KVM and the Elite works

but I prefer the Multimedia board.

 

So, I am stumped. Any ideas on next steps?

 

Thanx for any help.

 

Henry

[Guest JS]

Re: Microsoft Keyboard USB problem

 

I had a similar about 2 years ago, keyboard would work when using PS2, but

not with a PS2 to USB adaptor.

Tried a different USB port and for me at least the problem was solved.

 

JS

http://www.pagestart.com

 

 

<HLAMUTHNOSPAM@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote in message

news:eesne4pe0qmiemd1i4b1226pptjc7frqet@4ax.com...

>I have two MS keyboards...the natural ergonomic variety...the old one,

> an Elite, works in USB and PS/2 modes but the newer Multimedia v.

> 1.0a will only work in the Ps/2 mode. I have the legacy mode set in

> the bios. The USB connection is via an adaptor from the PS/2

> connector. Issue for me is to switch to a USB KVM and the Elite works

> but I prefer the Multimedia board.

>

> So, I am stumped. Any ideas on next steps?

>

> Thanx for any help.

>

> Henry

[Guest HLAMUTHNOSPAM@EARTHLINK.NET]

Re: Microsoft Keyboard USB problem

 

No joy. Even on a different computer the Multimedia board only works

as a ps/2 device...usb port selection doesn't matter. Any other ideas?

Could it be the ps/2 to USB adapter? It isn't the original, though it

works with the plain old elite.

 

Henry

 

On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 19:55:07 -0400, "JS" <@> wrote:

>I had a similar about 2 years ago, keyboard would work when using PS2, but

>not with a PS2 to USB adaptor.

>Tried a different USB port and for me at least the problem was solved.

>

>JS

>http://www.pagestart.com

>

>

><HLAMUTHNOSPAM@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote in message

>news:eesne4pe0qmiemd1i4b1226pptjc7frqet@4ax.com...

>>I have two MS keyboards...the natural ergonomic variety...the old one,

>> an Elite, works in USB and PS/2 modes but the newer Multimedia v.

>> 1.0a will only work in the Ps/2 mode. I have the legacy mode set in

>> the bios. The USB connection is via an adaptor from the PS/2

>> connector. Issue for me is to switch to a USB KVM and the Elite works

>> but I prefer the Multimedia board.

>>

>> So, I am stumped. Any ideas on next steps?

>>

>> Thanx for any help.

>>

>> Henry

>

[Guest smlunatick]

Re: Microsoft Keyboard USB problem

 

On Oct 8, 1:52 pm, HLAMUTHNOS...@EARTHLINK.NET wrote:

> No joy. Even on a different computer the Multimedia board only works

> as a ps/2 device...usb port selection doesn't matter. Any other ideas?

> Could it be the ps/2 to USB adapter? It isn't the original, though it

> works with the plain old elite.

>

> Henry

>

> On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 19:55:07 -0400, "JS" <@> wrote:

> >I had a similar about 2 years ago, keyboard would work when using PS2, but

> >not with a PS2 to USB adaptor.

> >Tried a different USB port and for me at least the problem was solved.

>

> >JS

> >http://www.pagestart.com

>

> ><HLAMUTHNOS...@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote in message

> >news:eesne4pe0qmiemd1i4b1226pptjc7frqet@4ax.com...

> >>I have two MS keyboards...the natural ergonomic variety...the old one,

> >> an Elite,  works in USB and PS/2 modes but the newer Multimedia v.

> >> 1.0a will only work in the Ps/2 mode. I have the legacy mode set in

> >> the bios. The USB connection is via an adaptor from the PS/2

> >> connector. Issue for me is to switch to a USB KVM and the Elite works

> >> but I prefer the Multimedia board.

>

> >> So, I am stumped. Any ideas on next steps?

>

> >> Thanx for any help.

>

> >> Henry

 

It should be note that to have a USB to PS/2 adapter, the keyboard

needs to also have the PS/2 support. If the keyboard does not work

correctly with the plain adapter, you will need to get an enhanced

adapter:

 

Such as: http://www.startech.com/item/USB2PS2-USB-to-PS2-Keyboard-and-Mouse-Converter.aspx

[Guest M.I.5¾]

Re: Microsoft Keyboard USB problem

 

 

<HLAMUTHNOSPAM@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote in message

news:eesne4pe0qmiemd1i4b1226pptjc7frqet@4ax.com...

>I have two MS keyboards...the natural ergonomic variety...the old one,

> an Elite, works in USB and PS/2 modes but the newer Multimedia v.

> 1.0a will only work in the Ps/2 mode. I have the legacy mode set in

> the bios. The USB connection is via an adaptor from the PS/2

> connector. Issue for me is to switch to a USB KVM and the Elite works

> but I prefer the Multimedia board.

>

 

A PS2 keyboard will not necessarily work in USB with a PS2->USB adaptor.

They are 2 completely different interfaces.

 

It will work only if the keyboard knows how to speak USB. Basically a

PS2/USB keyboard autodetects which system it is connected to and

communicates accordingly. A PS2 only keyboard doesn't know how to do this

and will not talk to USB.

[Guest HLAMUTHNOSPAM@EARTHLINK.NET]

Re: Microsoft Keyboard USB problem

 

Since the two keyboards are MS keyboards and are PS/2 with a packaged

adapter for USB...and sold as compatible with either...it is logical

to assume that perhaps the MS adapter is the critical piece...not all

adapters are created equal. I may not be using an official MS adapter.

 

Given my preferance for USB, it would appear that a USB wireless

keyboard is in my future, but I hate throwing out working hardware. I

will look into the "universal" adapter and if the cost makes it worth

while, I may buy it...but at some point the cost of a keyboard just

makes it more cost effective to scrap the old one.

 

I am wrestling with this issue on an old beloved laser printer that is

not as frisky as it once was. Sic transit gloria mundi.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Henry

 

On Wed, 8 Oct 2008 06:23:44 -0700 (PDT), smlunatick

<yveslec@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Oct 8, 1:52 pm, HLAMUTHNOS...@EARTHLINK.NET wrote:

>> No joy. Even on a different computer the Multimedia board only works

>> as a ps/2 device...usb port selection doesn't matter. Any other ideas?

>> Could it be the ps/2 to USB adapter? It isn't the original, though it

>> works with the plain old elite.

>>

>> Henry

>>

>> On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 19:55:07 -0400, "JS" <@> wrote:

>> >I had a similar about 2 years ago, keyboard would work when using PS2, but

>> >not with a PS2 to USB adaptor.

>> >Tried a different USB port and for me at least the problem was solved.

>>

>> >JS

>> >http://www.pagestart.com

>>

>> ><HLAMUTHNOS...@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote in message

>> >news:eesne4pe0qmiemd1i4b1226pptjc7frqet@4ax.com...

>> >>I have two MS keyboards...the natural ergonomic variety...the old one,

>> >> an Elite,  works in USB and PS/2 modes but the newer Multimedia v.

>> >> 1.0a will only work in the Ps/2 mode. I have the legacy mode set in

>> >> the bios. The USB connection is via an adaptor from the PS/2

>> >> connector. Issue for me is to switch to a USB KVM and the Elite works

>> >> but I prefer the Multimedia board.

>>

>> >> So, I am stumped. Any ideas on next steps?

>>

>> >> Thanx for any help.

>>

>> >> Henry

>

>It should be note that to have a USB to PS/2 adapter, the keyboard

>needs to also have the PS/2 support. If the keyboard does not work

>correctly with the plain adapter, you will need to get an enhanced

>adapter:

>

>Such as: http://www.startech.com/item/USB2PS2-USB-to-PS2-Keyboard-and-Mouse-Converter.aspx