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USB keyboard adapter

General discussions or ideas about hardware.
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TheNameOfTheGame
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USB keyboard adapter

Post by TheNameOfTheGame »

Does anyone know of a USB->PS/2 adapter or solution available?

I am looking to hook up my Hades060 via USB keyboard.

Been looking around for a convertor but coming up empty so am stumped. Any ideas?
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by rubber_jonnie »

You can get these cheaply on eBay: USB to PS2 adapter
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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TheNameOfTheGame
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Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by TheNameOfTheGame »

Yeah got stacks of those passive adapters here. They don't work with most keyboards.

Should specify I'm looking for an 'active' USB->PS/2 adapter.
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exxos
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Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by exxos »

I don't think active ones ever existed ?

Mostly those cheap adapters only worked because things like USB mice were also backwards compatible with PS2. Mostly only Microsoft ones as well.
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TheNameOfTheGame
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Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by TheNameOfTheGame »

Of course I understand all that, just with the prolifiration of cheap PICs and PIs, was just seeing you guys had any info on any active USB->PS/2 protocol adapters or projects. :D
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TheNameOfTheGame
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Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by TheNameOfTheGame »

I do see this project. Might work for me.

https://github.com/10110111/usb2ps2conv
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by rubber_jonnie »

TheNameOfTheGame wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 2:34 pm Yeah got stacks of those passive adapters here. They don't work with most keyboards.

Should specify I'm looking for an 'active' USB->PS/2 adapter.
Yes, but that one specifically states PS/2. It's more likely your HADES doesn't like it, or it can't power it. PS/2 to uUSB is a pretty much straight through connection:

Screenshot 2025-06-23 at 15.31.44.png
Screenshot 2025-06-23 at 15.31.44.png (192.48 KiB) Viewed 2438 times

The other option is that your keyboard isn't PS/2 compatible. i've used them many times with no issues.

Also, that github thread specifically states it for connecting non PS/2 keyboard to PS/2. Like I said, your keyboard may not support PS/2.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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TheNameOfTheGame
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Location: Almost Heaven, West Virginia

Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by TheNameOfTheGame »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:32 pm
TheNameOfTheGame wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 2:34 pm Yeah got stacks of those passive adapters here. They don't work with most keyboards.

Should specify I'm looking for an 'active' USB->PS/2 adapter.
Yes, but that one specifically states PS/2. It's more likely your HADES doesn't like it, or it can't power it. PS/2 to uUSB is a pretty much straight through connection:

Screenshot 2025-06-23 at 15.31.44.png

The other option is that your keyboard isn't PS/2 compatible. i've used them many times with no issues.

Also, that github thread specifically states it for connecting non PS/2 keyboard to PS/2. Like I said, your keyboard may not support PS/2.
Yes, thanks. Well the github project is for converting the usb protocol from usb keyboards (don't have to be ps/2 aware) to the ps/2 protocol for computers that have ps/2 connectors (AT computers basically). That is exactly what I am looking for so not sure what you are trying to say tbh. :?:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by rubber_jonnie »

TheNameOfTheGame wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:43 pm
Yes, thanks. Well the github project is for converting the usb protocol from usb keyboards (don't have to be ps/2 aware) to the ps/2 protocol for computers that have ps/2 connectors (AT computers basically). That is exactly what I am looking for so not sure what you are trying to say tbh. :?:
Quoted from the github page:

"This project is the firmware part of the device that converts the USB signaling of modern PS/2-incapable keyboards to the protocol of PS/2 keyboard port"

PS/2-incapable means non PS/2 to me.

That's basically taking a non PS/2 usb keyboard and making it PS/2 compatible.

You specifically asked for a USB to PS/2 adapter, not a non USB PS/2 keyboard to PS/2 adapter. They are not the same thing.

All I'm saying is that if the question is clear you will get better answers.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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TheNameOfTheGame
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Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 5:49 pm
Location: Almost Heaven, West Virginia

Re: USB keyboard adapter

Post by TheNameOfTheGame »

Ok, I see what you were saying. It's semantics that that got a bit confusing. I don't care if the usb keyboard is ps/2 or non-ps/2 really. Any usb keyboard non-ps/2 or ps/2 can go through the github project adapter. That's what I am looking for at the end of the day. Thanks for all the help guys. Appreciate it.
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