Need a USB to PS2 adaptor

MilkyJoe

I've just bought a wireless keyboard and mouse. The trouble is, it's connected by USB and I only have one USB port that I use that for the internet. So, what I need (if they exist) is an adaptor/splitter to plug it into my PS2 ports. Failing that, how cheap are USB port card thingys?

fwor

You can get USB to PS2 adapters cheaply on eBay, but it would probably be easier to buy a cheap USB hub.

It's probably best to get one with its own power supply, as we've had a few problems with ones that don't - probably due to current limitations on the main USB port.

You ~could~ also go for a 2-port PCMCIA to USB card, but that's also a bit of a kludge, as the PCMCIA port can't deliver enough power for USB - to solve that you have to take power from an existing USB port, which means that you gain 2 ports and lose one!

Regeneration

these are pretty cheap

http://www.cables2u.co.uk/keyboard-mouse-adaptor-p-45.html?gclid=CPbDy8C3x5QCFRuD1QodKV_ykg

just reread your post, you can get a usb hub from poundland for £1

isofa

fwor wrote: »

You ~could~ also go for a 2-port PCMCIA to USB card, but that's also a bit of a kludge, as the PCMCIA port can't deliver enough power for USB - to solve that you have to take power from an existing USB port, which means that you gain 2 ports and lose one!

Assuming it's a laptop, really never come across that issue... What about more modern PC Card/Cardbus slots? Amazon sell plenty as do Scan.

If it's a desktop then standard PCI USB cards are simple to install and set-up. I've always personally favoured the Belkin ones (as have had trouble with cheaper versions), but many others will say the cheap ones are fine.

Else a hub. Plenty of good quality ones (Belkin etc) on eBay for bargain prices, else el'cheapos as suggested!

weegie.geek

Get shot of the USB modem for the internet and get a router. Expensive (~£20 or so) but it saves your laptop being tethered to the wall, which is half the point of having a laptop.

Having said that, if the laptop's only got 1 USB port it's likely to be old-ish, so might not have built-in wireless - so you'll then need to add another ~£15 for a wireless pc card.

A hub is definitely more attractive price-wise, at a whopping £1.

MilkyJoe

Regeneration wrote: »

these are pretty cheap

http://www.cables2u.co.uk/keyboard-mouse-adaptor-p-45.html?gclid=CPbDy8C3x5QCFRuD1QodKV_ykg

just reread your post, you can get a usb hub from poundland for £1

This is for a PS2 mouse/keyboard to USB. Which is all I can find. I need USB to PS2. I need the USB port for my internet as I use my mobile as a modem. Would a hub slow down my internet speed? Which isn't that good to begin with.

MilkyJoe

Also, I've seen a Web and Walk data card on eBay. Do these work with desktop PCs and PAYG sims? That would free up my USB port and my mobile.

weegie.geek

MilkyJoe wrote: »

This is for a PS2 mouse/keyboard to USB. Which is all I can find. I need USB to PS2. I need the USB port for my internet as I use my mobile as a modem. Would a hub slow down my internet speed? Which isn't that good to begin with.

The PS2 keyboard/mouse adapters only work for mice and keyboards. You can ONLY plug a mouse or a keyboard (or another input device that emulates a keyboard, like a barcode scanner) into a PS2 port.

MilkyJoe wrote: »

Also, I've seen a Web and Walk data card on eBay. Do these work with desktop PCs and PAYG sims? That would free up my USB port and my mobile.

Technically yes, but you'd need more than just the card to get it working in a desktop, you'd need a Pc card to PCI card converter, which is going to be more trouble than it's worth when USB ones exist.

Your best best is to add more USB ports to the laptop either via a hub or a PC card.

I still reckon you should look into a router instead/as well though.

A hub SHOULDN'T slow down your internet speed, but cheapo hubs can do some odd things, and those USB Speedtouch modems (I'm guessing that's what you're using) are terrible pieces of kit. Using a proper router will probably improve the speed.

MilkyJoe

You've lost me a bit there. I thought PS2 ports were the keyboard/mouse ports. If not, I need to plug a USB into where the keyboard and mouse usually go (it'll have to be a splitter thing). I think I'll just add more USB ports. How cheap (expensive) are they? Could do with more anyway. Will try the hub first though. It'll only be a pound wasted.

weegie.geek

MilkyJoe wrote: »

You've lost me a bit there. I thought PS2 ports were the keyboard/mouse ports. If not, I need to plug a USB into where the keyboard and mouse usually go (it'll have to be a splitter thing). I think I'll just add more USB ports. How cheap (expensive) are they? Could do with more anyway. Will try the hub first though. It'll only be a pound wasted.

PS2 ports ARE the keyboard and mouse ports, the round ones that'll be green and purple. They're pretty much phased out these days, in favour of USB.

You COULD use a USB>PS2 converter for plugging a USB mouse and keyboard into PS2 ports. Those are the only USB devices that'll work in a PS2 port though.

You might find you have trouble using a wireless USB mouse and keyboard with a USB>PS2 converter since a PS2 port won't supply enough current to the USB dongle, not to mention the problems you'll have because it's both a mouse and a keyboard you'll be trying to plug into one PS2 port.

Get yourself more USB ports.

Edit: as for how much it'll be for adding more physical ports (not just adding a hub) it'll be less than £10.

MilkyJoe

If I want to add physical USB ports what key words should I use to search for them on the internet? I'll try the hub solution first though. What kind of connection speed do you lose from using hubs (Internet and keyboard/mouse).