PS2 Keyboard Encoder Help

[ratabase1]

I need to know if anyone knows of a workaround for my dilemna?  I have a TOKN PS2 Keyboard encoder that I was going to use on my cabinet.  The problem is my motherboard only has USB connectors.  I currently have a USB to PS2 converter hooked to one of my USB ports, and the PS2 Keyboard and Mouse work fine when hooked straight to it.  However, when I hook the TOKN encoder up to the converter, it doesn't seem to work.  I hook the motherboard up to the TOKN, and the keyboard up to the TOKN, and try and type something in notepad, but it doesn't appear to be working.   Any ideas?

Is my only choice to buy a USB Keyboard Encoder, Or does someone know of a workaround?   

[Silas (son of Silas)]

I'm guessing you're using a passive PS2 to USB adapter. Using an active PS2 to USB converter may solve your issues. Most people don't realize that the 2 are different.

More here

[ratabase1]

Would this still appear to be my issue, if I can hook the mouse and keyboard up to the USB to PS2 converter and they work, just not when I attempt to go through the TOKN encoder? 

[Silas (son of Silas)]

I can't be 100% sure, but I have a Hanaho Hotrod (not sure what type of encoder they use) that refused to work with a passive PS2 > USB adapter yet it worked fine with my keyboard and mouse. Bought an active converter from Maplin for a couple of quid and BINGO it soled my problem. Might be worth a try before spending $$ on a new encoder? Just make sure you don't get another passive one.

[SavannahLion]

Would this still appear to be my issue, if I can hook the mouse and keyboard up to the USB to PS2 converter and they work, just not when I attempt to go through the TOKN encoder? 

That's because some PS/2 mice and Keyboards recognize when they are connected to a USB port and change their protocol accordingly. IWO, your keyboard and/or mouse have both PS/2 USB functionality built into it from the start. The adapter simply serves to rearrange the wiring for compatibility.

I've read very little about TOKN controllers, but of what I have read I have never seen native USB support mentioned amongst its feature set.

The TOKN controller doesn't receive as high marks (points, whatever) as other offerings by GGG or Ultimarc. Do a search for TOKN controllers here and you'll see what I mean. The ones by Tiger-Heli are rather memorable and the disputes by Mattp (TOKN) and Randy (GGG) are definitely worth a read.

I'll echo Silas sentiment and say you're going to need an active PS2->USB adapter.

[RandyT]

I'm going to get involved here to hopefully save you some time and expense.  The PS/2 to USB converters work fine for a regular keyboard and mouse, and will work to some extent with gaming keyboard encoders, but they have some substantial limitations when used in our application.  Some may be better than others, but almost all of them limit the number of simultaneous keypresses to 6 or less, and also employ some sort of "anti-stuck key" technique which will automatically release a keypress after a predetermined amount of time.  If you are building a panel for one player, not playing games where you need to hold a button down for longer than a couple of seconds and can deal with whatever lag might be induced by the extra in-line device, then it may be ok.  Otherwise, you would be better served by replacing the encoder and looking at a native USB offering.

If you have a free PCI slot, you might also be able to find a cheap PS/2 I/O card as another alternative.

RandyT

[ratabase1]

RandyT,  Thanks for the suggestion.  I'll have to look and see if I have a PS/2 I/O card laying around at home.  If not, I'll probably try and get a USB keyboard encoder.  I really don't want to spend money on another ps2 to usb converter, when I'm not sure that it would solve my problem, and you said there are substantial limitations when used with a keyboard encoder.