USB to PS2 Adapter Help

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Level 1

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USB to PS2 Adapter Help

Quick question:

Being that the MAC Mini is so small, I want to be able to bring it to work with me once in a while.

However, at work, my KVM (2 port) switch only has PS2 inputs. There are no USB inputs for a keyboard and/or mouse (which is the only thing the MAC Mini will take)

At radio shack, they have those USB to PS2 adapters (It kind of looks like a Y adapter with 1 Male USB plug on one end, and, the 2 PS2 female ports "green and purple" on the other end). I am wondering, if anyone out there is using one of these for their MAC Mini. I wanted o know this before going out and buying one, just to find out that I wasted my time.

Any help would be appreciated.

Gary

Mac MINI, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Aug 29, 2006 8:38 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,274 points

Aug 29, 2006 10:01 AM in response to GaryJ73167

I too was using a PS/2 KVM and tried the PS/2-to-USB adapter. The mini was unable to recognize the keyboard but the mouse worked fine. I tried several brands of these adapters, but none worked. My PC, on the other hand, didn't have any issues with this configuration. At the time I was using a Logitech Duo wireless keyboard/mouse.

I ended up gettting a USB KVM and a USB keyboard/mouse combo that works great for both the PC & Mac. The mini, like all computers, needs to "recognize" the devices plugged into it, but the mini becomes "near-sighted" especially when KVMs are added to the mix.

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Answer 2

GaryJ73167 Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 29, 2006 3:39 PM in response to GaryJ73167

Thank you Tesserax

I appreciate your quick reply. I guess I will continue to shop for a USB KVM then.....Have a good day/night.

Gary

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Answer 3

Aug 29, 2006 10:47 PM in response to GaryJ73167

Gary,

On the other hand, I've had no problems using a PS/2 USB Y-adapter for my mini with any of my KVMs or keyboards. But then again, I don't use wireless keyboards or mice.

-Wayne

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Answer 4

GaryJ73167 Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 30, 2006 5:36 AM in response to GaryJ73167

Thanks ParentalUnit .

Actually, that is exactly what i want to do. I want to use a USB to PS2 (Y Adapter) because my KVM switch is only PS2.

I may have worded my original question wrong. Sorry about thhat. So, that will work then ?

Gary

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Answer 5

Aug 30, 2006 8:12 AM in response to GaryJ73167

Gary,

I don't know - I haven't run into a wired PS/2 keyboard that won't work,
but they may exist.
The Y-adapters are $8-$12 - maybe less if you have a BigLots nearby.
(Wired keyboards aren't expensive either.)

-Wayne

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