What is a PS/2 Keyboard/ Mouse combo port?

[Outback Jack]

5 years ago was my first attempt to build a computer from scratch. It was a great learning experience, but the mobo recently died and I'm looking at building new system. But technology has apparently moved on in 5 years.

I'm looking at the ASUS P6T Deluxe V2. (still can't post links. I think this post puts me over the top!!)

http[colon-slash-slash-dubya-dubya-dubya].asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=iRlP8RG9han6saZx

I've noticed that it doesn't have separate plugs for the mouse and keyboard. Is this new some tech I need to get or do I have to choose one or the other to plug in there?

Thanks in advance,

Jack

[Outback Jack]

My first link!!! (I'm SO excited!)

http://www.asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=iRlP8RG9han6saZx

[not daSkeptic]

Looking at the manual, that port is for either a PS/2 keyboard OR a PS/2 mouse. You can't have both. A little odd, but it's generally assumed one has USB equipment nowadays.

[BenBurch]

You can connect EITHER a PS/2 keybord OR a PS/2 mouse. Not both. It is for legacy hardware, and they assume you will have the other device be USB.

[Outback Jack]

Rats. That's what I was afraid of. I've got 2 nice PS2 extension cables I was hoping to keep using.

I guess I'll just have to change with the times.

Thanks for the information, folks. It's much appreciated.

[BenBurch]

You CAN get a USB/PS2 converter!

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=usb+ps2+converter&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=3305083589896558152&ei=zRmGSsSJHZSusgPh672sBw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4#ps-sellers

[Lensman]

You can also get PS/2 splitters, they have a single plug on one end with 2 cables coming out of it, each with a socket, 1 purple 1 green.
They were originally intended for laptops that only had 1 PS/2 port.

PS/2 splitter on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-Splitter-PS2-Keyboard-Mouse-Active-Adaptor-Cable_W0QQitemZ390046724135QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_C omputing_Laptop_Accessories_LaptopCables_Connector s?hash=item5ad098b027&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

[jsfisher]

Some of the early IBM Thinkpads had a combo PS/2 port. Normally, you'd use it for an external mouse with the laptop, but with a special "splitter" cable, you could then connect both external keyboard and mouse.

ETA: http://www.jaykang.com/1mdmato2mdfe.html as an example.

[Outback Jack]

That's 2 good ideas there. I'll just have to cruise around the electronics store and get me some goodies.

Sometimes I just wish that they'd stop changing everything every few years.:D

[BenBurch]

Some of the early IBM Thinkpads had a combo PS/2 port. Normally, you'd use it for an external mouse with the laptop, but with a special "splitter" cable, you could then connect both external keyboard and mouse.

ETA: http://www.jaykang.com/1mdmato2mdfe.html as an example.

And here is one of those;

http://sewelldirect.com/PS2Splitter.asp

I'd still go with the USB port as you can plug things in while the machine is running without screwing up the software as too often happens in Windows.

[ddt]

Some of the early IBM Thinkpads had a combo PS/2 port. Normally, you'd use it for an external mouse with the laptop, but with a special "splitter" cable, you could then connect both external keyboard and mouse.

ETA: http://www.jaykang.com/1mdmato2mdfe.html as an example.

Is it sure that those splitters also work on these desktop motherboards?

I bought an Asus motherboard with a similar issue earlier this year, and I went with the PS/2 splitter solution, to plug it into my PS/2 KVM switch. From the research I did back then, I got the impression that there was something special about those PS/2 connections on laptops which made such a splitter possible.

I must say I like the idea of still having a PS/2 connection at least for my keyboard. That way I'm not dependent on a possibly buggy USB implementation when fiddling with the BIOS. Or am I being overly conservative here?

[NewtonTrino]

Or am I being overly conservative here?


I haven't had a failure based on this for a while so I think it's a solved problem.

This is the exact motherboard we've been ordering at work for our latest spec machines. It seems pretty good so far and the core i7's are nice and fast.

We started speccing intel x-25m 160GB SSD drives with all new machines as well. Highly recommended so far!

When you combine a core i7 quad, SSD drive and 12GB of RAM on this motherboard you get something that can compile and link really fast.

[jsfisher]

Is it sure that those splitters also work on these desktop motherboards?

I bought an Asus motherboard with a similar issue earlier this year, and I went with the PS/2 splitter solution, to plug it into my PS/2 KVM switch. From the research I did back then, I got the impression that there was something special about those PS/2 connections on laptops which made such a splitter possible.

There are 2 unused pins on the mini-DIN connector. The Thinkpads used them to reproduce the mouse clock and mouse data signals. If the User Manual for the ASUS motherboard is detailed, it may indicate that pin 2 is Mouse +CLK and pin 6 is mouse +DATA. If so, then the "standard" splitter cable should work.


ETA: Conspicuously missing from the user manual is any mention of pin-outs or potential for using a splitter cable. Sounds like the OP is SOL.

[Outback Jack]

Sounds like the OP is SOL.

Such is life. I'll just have to accept the USB solution. The mobo has 6 of the bloody things for Pete's sake! I suppose I can stoop to using 1 or 2 for mundane purposes.

Thanks for all the input.

[BenBurch]

Even my netbook has three USB sockets on it. Its not so horribly new you know, its been out since 1996.