USB keyboard with Keywiz

[Spudzy]

Hi Everyone,

Just built my first controller and I am very happy with it.  However, since the Keywiz interface is using the PS2 port I have no keyboard.  I tried a Y-adapter but it seems the PC can only see one keyboard at a time.  If I get a USB keyboard, will I be able to use both the controller and the keyboard (for choosing games etc).  Failing that, is there a front end that will allow me to select games using only the controller.  Bear in mind that I still have to hit ESC to exit a game and choose a new one.
I am also thinking of using the "Shazaam" feature to allow buttons to send keystrokes such as "ESC" and "ENTER" but I would like to know all my options before making a decision.  I am using MAME by the way

[Pieman2004]

I am pretty sure you can use a usb keyboard and it will recognise it. But I would for sure add the shazzam key that way you don't always have to go back to the keyboard.

[Captain_Dingo]

I've got a JPAC (PS/2) in my cabinet temporarily, and when I need to do something with the keyboard, I just plug a USB keyboard (and mouse, for that matter) into the PC and it works fine.

[Tiger-Heli]

I tried a Y-adapter but it seems the PC can only see one keyboard at a time.

It should work if you use one of the options from here: http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_input.shtml#Y-Adapters, but they're pretty cost/labor-intensive compared to a USB keyboard.

If I get a USB keyboard, will I be able to use both the controller and the keyboard (for choosing games etc).

Yes

Failing that, is there a front end that will allow me to select games using only the controller.

Yes - even Emuloader will allow it with a mouse/trackball - I'm sure MAMEwah  or HowardC's FE's will, although I haven't used them personally.

I am also thinking of using the "Shazaam" feature to allow buttons to send keystrokes such as "ESC" and "ENTER" but I would like to know all my options before making a decision.

Or just wire a button to Terminal N for Enter or Terminal P for Escape .  But I would wire a button to Shazaaam! anyway.  I like using Shazaaam! plus P2B3 to send F3 (reset game), etc..

[Dougmeister]

From personal experience, I had problems with a USB adapter on a PS/2 keyboard on my KeyWiz.

IIRC, the toggle switch stopped working and a few other quirky things.  Took the USB dongle off and the problems went away.

Not your *exact* situation, but thought it might be helpful.

[RandyT]

From personal experience, I had problems with a USB adapter on a PS/2 keyboard on my KeyWiz.

IIRC, the toggle switch stopped working and a few other quirky things.  Took the USB dongle off and the problems went away.

Not your *exact* situation, but thought it might be helpful.

Could you elaborate a little more on this?  What you are saying doesn't really make sense.

If you had a USB adapter on your PS/2 keyboard, the switch would no longer be necessary, as it would just stay switched to the KeyWiz and both would be active at the same time.

Thanks,
RandyT

[Tiger-Heli]

From personal experience, I had problems with a USB adapter on a PS/2 keyboard on my KeyWiz.

IIRC, the toggle switch stopped working and a few other quirky things.  Took the USB dongle off and the problems went away.

Not your *exact* situation, but thought it might be helpful.

Well, from personal experience, I had problems with a USB adapter on a PS/2 Keyboard without the KeyWiz.

Yes, I use a KeyWiz.  Yes, I was too cheap to buy a USB keyboard, and bought a PS/2-USB adapter (also avoided having to explain why I needed a different keyboard when nothing was wrong with the other one.)  Yes, I have had others verify that the problems I was seeing did not occur with a true USB keyboard.

Adapter was a QVS brand from MicroCenter, but I'm not sure that matters.

Problems - Keyboard will stop typing shifted keys if you hold down the shift button and type.

(From before I got the KeyWiz) - I was playing BattleZone.  If I held down the "I" key the entire time, the tank would spin left (actually move forward and turn left).  Then if I pressed the "D" key it would spin left faster.  So far so good.  Now if I release the "D" key, the tank will spin slowly left and then stop.  (It should keep spinning because the "I" key was still held down.  Does not happen with the regular PS/2 keyboard.  Was able to verify the same behavior in Notepad.  RandyT verified this does not happen with a true USB keyboard.

Also, I sometimes get an apparent "Stuck key" when I first hot-swap the KeyWiz into the system.  Doesn't always happen, hasn't happened lately, not sure if it's related.