exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

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?

You can get these cheaply on eBay: USB to PS2 adapter

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.

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.

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

I do see this project. Might work for me.

https://github.com/10110111/usb2ps2conv

TheNameOfTheGame wrote: 23 Jun 2025 14:34 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:


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.

rubber_jonnie wrote: 23 Jun 2025 15:32

TheNameOfTheGame wrote: 23 Jun 2025 14:34 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. :?:

TheNameOfTheGame wrote: 23 Jun 2025 15:43
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.

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.