Microsoft Keyboard USB problem

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HLAMUTHNOSPAM@EARTHLINK.NET

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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
 
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
 
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

>
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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