PS2 / USB Query

[Ren Hoek]

Not being very computer literate when it comes to the technical specs of the actual machine, how many of these ports can a computer actually house?  I assume they come with one of each (1 for mouse, 1 for keyboard).  I want to run an IPac, an OptiPac (trackball, spinner), as well as a keyboard and possibly a separate mouse.  I often see people having trouble configuring their board when using the USB port.  What ports are the best for an IPac & OptiPac?  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  I would appreciate any clarification on this matter.  Thanks.

[Ghoward]

A PC has two PS2 ports for a keyboard and a mouse. As for USB it comes down to your motherboard mine has 4 but on my desktop PC it only has two.

In my cab I installed a powered USB hub inside my control panel mainly to keep everything neat inside and then used the USB versions of the Ipac and Optipac. All you do is plug them in and they work right away.


Gary

[u_rebelscum]

USB, technically, can have 127 devices connected per USB port (using hubs to plug more than one).  Speed wise, I suggest no more that 2-4 real time devices (mouse, keyboard, joystick) per port for USB 1.0 & 1.1 ports; USB 2.0 is faster and probably can take a few more.  Any version, don't put a USB drive in the same port as those you want to control mame.  As said, PC's have between 2 & 8 USB ports (so you might be able to have 8*127 USB devices, but I don't advice it).

USB can have porblems*, but by now it's usually the driver's fault.  USB optipac and ipac seem to be running fine (note: I only have the USB optipac).  Under most cases, USB will communicate faster than ps/2.

*Win95 came out before USB and often has problems with USB; dos doesn't do USB (no drivers).  WinXP, win2000, win98, and winME are much better with USB (and probably in that order of best to lowest stability, but ultimately depending on the drivers).


With your stuff you list, I'd go USB optipac, probably USB ipac, ps/2 keyboard, and ps/2 spare mouse.

[Tiger-Heli]

With your stuff you list, I'd go USB optipac, probably USB ipac, ps/2 keyboard, and ps/2 spare mouse.

I had a reply to this post and it disappeared (or more likely I fogot to click post ;-((  )

I have a detailed write-up of USB vs. PS/2 here:
http://www.fraggersxtreme.com/arcadepanels/encoder/#USB Vs. PS/2 Mode

It's a controversial issue, so I won't go into details, but with the stuff you mentioned, I would go:

USB optipac, PS/2 spare mouse, PS/2 I-PAC, and either PS/2 keyboard on I-PAC pass-thru, or USB keyboard.

FWIW.