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ps2 to usb - anyone try this? - pic attached
RandyT:
--- Quote from: KenToad on April 25, 2005, 10:18:05 pm ---I wanted to thank you personally for producing such quality products.
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No, thank you. If nobody bought them, I wouldn't bother ;)
--- Quote ---Also, do you, or anyone else, have any experience with hot-plugging (in other words, with the computer running into a mouse port that was unused) a ps2 mouse? For me, this may ultimately make me keep the adaptor even if it turns out not to work well with the Keywiz.
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My experience is that you cannot just plug in a PS/2 mouse (or anything that thinks it is one) and expect it to work after boot time. This may be different with a newer OS like XP, and someone else will have to chime in on that one as I don't run that OS.
Sometimes, you can swap out a PS/2 mouse with another PS/2 mouse device after Windows loads, but usually, if it's not there at load time, Windows won't see it afterwards. For hot-swapping mice/trackballs, USB is the way to go, and that adapter should work for that.
Also, due to limitations inherent to those adapters and USB Keyboards in general, I don't recommend hooking a KeyWiz to it. It might work...sort of...but it'll cripple the performance severely.
RandyT
Tiger-Heli:
Just wanted to add a little on the mouse issue. Like RandyT said, I don't think you can hot-swap a PS/2 mouse if it is not present at boot-up.
Two thoughts -
That adapter that I use with the PS/2 keyboard also has a mouse connector (like the one in the picture) and the mouse is detected and installed when the adapter is plugged in (whether or not a mouse is attached). This means that all your other mice will shift down (i.e. if you were to use a USB trackball it will be Mouse 3 to MAME instead of Mouse 2).
I think the adapter would allow you to hot-swap your PS/2 mouse hack, either with or witout un-plugging the adapter. I.e. you could either leave the hack connected to the adapter and hot-swap it from the USB port, or leave the adapter connected to the computer and hot swap the hack from the PS/2 port.
Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: KenToad on April 25, 2005, 07:43:16 pm ---I'll update with the review of the product when I get a chance to test it, although it sounds like I'll be making something up to return it--just can't bother explaining keyboard encoders and the like to Radio Shack salespeople, if you know what I mean.
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I wouldn't say for sure that you'll be returning it. It will probably work adequately, just not well, but how often are you going to use the laptop with a big hulking CP for gaming? It will work better than trying to mash the little keyboard keys.
The other question is cost - If it's $8-10 for the adapter for occasional use, it's not a big deal, if it's more expensive, you might look at a GP-Wiz Eco replacement for the KeyWiz and then you wouldn't need to be concerned about the performance issues.
cholin:
Does anybody know how it will work with a Minipac or Ipac or whatever? I need a PS2 to USB connector, so I wonder if I can use this or if Ill have to rip it apart and solder it differently because it sounds as if theres a chip in the little box on the wire because a mouse is detected no matter what...
Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: cholin on April 26, 2005, 07:18:30 am ---Does anybody know how it will work with a Minipac or Ipac or whatever? I need a PS2 to USB connector, so I wonder if I can use this or if Ill have to rip it apart and solder it differently because it sounds as if theres a chip in the little box on the wire because a mouse is detected no matter what...
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The mouse connections on the Mini-pac only work in USB mode anyway, AFAIK. As I said before, if you are buying the I-PAC or whatever new, just get the extra cable from Andy. If you already have it, buy one of these adapters locally and return it if it doesn't work.
I don't think you would need to rip it apart and solder it differently, but I'm not sure what from the I-PAC you are going to connect to it for the optical side.