Interesting discovery on the USB mice...

[OSCAR]

I switched the type of USB mice I use last fall sometime around Oct/Nov because the previous model I was using had been discontinued.  Well, I just recently discovered that the new one I'm using has an undocumented feature in that it supports a passive PS/2 adapter! An example of the type of adapter I am talking about is like the green one shown here:  http://www.directron.com/diusadfrusbf.html.  FYI - I've seen these type of adapters retail for as low as $1.99.

I've tried these adapters with other USB mice before without success, but the USB encoder used on my current mice must also support the PS/2 protocol.

Just a heads up to anyone that has purchased the newer version (you can tell because the USB cable is soldered to the back of the USB board, not socketed), you can use one of these adapters to use them under DOS.  Since this is an undocumented feature of this particular mouse, I am not "officially" supporting it, but I've tested it with a number of my current USB mice now and they all seem to work just fine without problems.

Just thought I would I pass it along.  

[SirPeale]

Nifty, Oscar!

Got a question: you sell hacked USB mice...do you also sell PS/2 mice?

[Edgedamage]

Cool now my trackball is now p/s2 I have a handfull of those connectors.

[OSCAR]

Peale - No I don't offer PS/2 only mice.

Edgedamage - Hey, try out one of your adapters on the USB mouse and let me know if works.  It's worked on the ones I have tried, but so far my test bed has been pretty limited since I just discovered this "feature".

[Edgedamage]

Ok no prob but I am at work. Will do first thing in the morning.

[Edgedamage]

Well I plugged in the USB interface started the win2k pro comp. Win started and then said "finished installing hardware please restart" Restarted and yup the the interface works. Cool now there is more uses for those interfaces as they will work with older comps. Also the interface when in ps/2 mode it playes nice with my connected micro$oft optical USB mouse.

[RandyT]

Just out of curiosity, are the chips on your interfaces made by "Cypress"?  Most of the ones I have seen with those chips are dual interface.

RandyT

[OSCAR]

Edgedamage - Thanks for testing that, I'm glad it is working good for you.


Randy - No, it's not a Cypress chip.  I'm going to dig up a datasheet for it, though, just to check it out.

[jcoleman]

OSCAR -

Can you post a picture of the interface you speak of?  I'm not sure if mine is a newer model or not.  If it's not, can you confirm that the mice you have in stock now are of the PS/2 compatible variety?  Also, can you sell the cable that goes from your spinners to the interface separately?  I need a couple extra of those for a PS/2 trackball hack.

Thanks

Coleman

[OSCAR]

Here is a photo of the back of the mouse.  Note that the USB cable is soldered directly to the board and does not plug into a socket.  The mice with the socket were discontinued and do not work with a PS/2 adapter.

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/images/usb-back1.jpg


I can sell just the spinner wire harnesses separately, email me directly for details.  Thanks!