Upgrade my MAME machine

[Fizbin157]

Greetings. I have a MAME machine built in 2004, and I want to upgrade. I want to re-use my KE72 and my ME4 I/O devices. Will a new gaming computer with PS/2 inputs accept this older hardware? That way I don't have to upgrade those devices, or worry about PS/2 to USB issues.

[Zebidee]

With those ancient devices, you'll probably need an "active" PS2->USB adapter for a modern computer. Male USB to female PS2.

There are many variations and marketplaces.

Something like this:

[Fizbin157]

Okay, thanks

[haynor666]

Many modern motherboards still have PS2 mouse/keyboard 1 socket compo.

[Fizbin157]

Thanks. I know an active adapter is better than a passive one, as the active is supposed to make the protocol correct. So, the Y splitter can handle transferring movements/button presses simultaneously when you're hot and heavy in an action game? I'm mostly going to play MAME, and I want to get Black Mesa.

[Zebidee]

I think they'll work fine, though others may have more direct experience with the active adapters.

My older PS/2 IPACs work with a passive adapter.

However, my PS/2 trackballs need the active adapter. 

[RandyT]

I think they'll work fine, though others may have more direct experience with the active adapters.

My older PS/2 IPACs work with a passive adapter.

However, my PS/2 trackballs need the active adapter.

I have a fair amount of experience with these.  The reason your controls interface works with a passive adapter, is the same reason our first OptiWiz board did.  It was designed that way from the ground up.  If the KE72 isn't also USB compatible, then passive will not work.

The problem with cheap active adapters like the one shown, is that 99 out of 100 of them use the same chip.  Unfortunately, that translates to a boot keyboard report structure, which allows only 6 simultaneous keypresses + modifier keys.  Truthfully, I'm not positive if it even allows that fully.  But what I do know, is that these also have a very damaging to gameplay "feature" to eliminate a stuck key problem (why they had to do this, I don't know.)  Essentially, it allows a key (or joystick direction if that's what attached) to only be held down for about 6 seconds before it releases on it's own.

All of that said, if you are the only one playing the game and you don't play games where you need to hold down a button or stick selection for long periods of time, it may work for you ok.  Otherwise, you will need to search out one made specifically for gaming which has none of those issues, but is usually quite a bit more costly.

As side note, while typing this on an old Gateway keyboard through one of those very adapters, I saw a "3" pop up while typing and I was nowhere near that key.  It's not the first time it's done it either

[Fizbin157]

I tried the KE72 with a passive adapter on my Windows 10 laptop. It didn't recognize it, nor did it recognize the ME4 with trackball/spinners - although it did "see" it. Even with an active adapter, it sounds like I will have issues, and will be upgrading MORE than I wanted too. UGH   I'm using XP SP1. The machine has worked fabulous over the years, and continues too. Hagstrom sells a newer KE72 that's USB, with connections for trackball/spinner - would that work with a new MB? They DO NOT sell a dedicated USB replacement for the ME4  . 

[Zebidee]

The problem with cheap active adapters like the one shown, is that 99 out of 100 of them use the same chip.  Unfortunately, that translates to a boot keyboard report structure, which allows only 6 simultaneous keypresses + modifier keys.  Truthfully, I'm not positive if it even allows that fully.  But what I do know, is that these also have a very damaging to gameplay "feature" to eliminate a stuck key problem (why they had to do this, I don't know.)  Essentially, it allows a key (or joystick direction if that's what attached) to only be held down for about 6 seconds before it releases on it's own.

Thanks for that explanation Randy, makes sense.