adb keyboard to usb keyboard

Suzan, welcome to Apple Discussions.

I'm not aware of an adapter to go from USB to ADB. You can install a USB PCI card so that you can use a USB kbd.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Hi, Suzan -

In addition to Tom's advice, after installing the USB PCI card hang onto your ADB keyboard. You will probably need to use it whenever you need to use startup keyboard commands (reset PRAM, rebuild desktop, etc.), or when booted to a CD (such as an OS install disk).

These are USB 2.0 cards, but they will work as USB 1.1 in OS 9.x. Best bet is any card with a NEC PD720100 or PD720101 chipset

All of these Cards are NEC chipset based
Adaptec 3100LP
BAFO BF-460
Belkin F5U220
GWC UC-160
IOGear GIC250U & GIC251U
Keyspan U2PCI-5
O'toLink U2-C2A, U2-C2B, U2-P20N & U2-P50
Ratoc PCIU5
USBWholesale UII-PCIP

I use an IOGear GIC251U 5-port USB PCI card in my G4. Prior to getting a USB 2.0 card, I used a Belkin F5U005 2-port USB (1.1) PCI card (with OS 9) for more USB ports.

When you get a USB card you may have to reinstall OS 9. When OS 9 is initially installed, it usually doesn't install the USB software if a USB card is not installed/detected. So install the card & then do the reinstall.

Don gave you some good advice about keeping the ADB keyboard. With the ADB keyboard, the keyboard is recognized instantly whe the Mac is powered up. However, the USB keyboard will not be recognized until all of the system software is activated. You'll need to use the ADB keyboard for zapping PRAM, booting from a CD, etc.

 Cheers, Tom 😉