PS/2 to USB convert + PCI USB Card

[squirrel]

Hello,

I am helping someone at an old age home for a school project. The man I am helping recently got a PS/2 mouse, but his computer is so old that it doesn't have a PS/2 port. The only thing I can think of is buying a PS/2 to USB converter plus a PCI USB Card (it has one PCI slot). First of all, is there any other way of going about this, secondly where can I get this new, and thirdly is there anyone willing to give this stuff away or sell it for relatively cheap?

Thanks

 

[werner]

if the pc is so old that it doesnt have a ps2 port, then the chances are it doesnt have pci slots either, just isa slots (and maybe a vlb if you are lucky).

what you can find, though, is a ps2 to serial convertor much cheaper way to go about things (serial mice needs drivers though, but they are pretty generic) or just hunt around for a serial mouse. *someone* should be able to donate one of those.

 

[squirrel]

Thanks. Any idea where I could find a PS/2 to Serial?

 

[TivoZA]

The only thing I can think of is buying a PS/2 to USB converter plus a PCI USB Card (it has one PCI slot).

I've got an old Pentium 1 setup in a similar fashion, I needed to go the PS/2 route as it goes through a KVM. If the PC is a Pentium then it most likely has PCI slots. The problem with going this route is it's not cheap, the USB PCI card will cost around R130 and the P2/2 -> USB converter cable will cost another R100.

First of all, is there any other way of going about this

A cheaper, simpler option is to get a serial mouse, if you can find somebody with an old one or a shop that still stocks them. A PS/2 -> serial converter requires a mouse that supports serial which rules out most modern mice, unless the mouse actually came with a PS/2 -> serial converter it's unlikely to support serial.

secondly where can I get this new

Most computer shops (e.g. Computer Mania) should sell the USB PCI card as well as the PS/2 -> USB converter. For a serial mouse you're better off approaching PC repair shops or searching in the classifieds.

 

[squirrel]

He already has some Microsoft mouse which is PS/2. From what I could tell, the slot I was looking at was a PCI slot. Looks like my best bet is a PCI USB card and the converter unless I can find some old hardware which I can just give him somewhere around the house

 

[TivoZA]

He already has some Microsoft mouse which is PS/2.

If the mouse is fairly old you may be in luck as some of the first Microsoft PS/2 mice were backwards compatible with serial, the label under the mouse may state that it is both "PS/2 and Serial". "Light Edge" sell PS/2 -> Serial converters for about R30 but it's a bit of a waste if the mouse is not serial compatible.

Looks like my best bet is a PCI USB card and the converter unless I can find some old hardware which I can just give him somewhere around the house

Nothing wrong with going this route, apart from the cost.

When you go looking for the above, first see if the shop sells a serial mouse as it will be significantly cheaper and far less hassle to set up.

 

[werner]

and also remember, most usb pci cards do not function correctly in win95b, probably dont function correctly in win98 either. it is an unsupported market. so, if the pc is really that old, consider what OS is on it also, as usb may not be the solution.

the original win95 categorically did not know what usb was, the updated install cd, known as win95b, has sporadic usb support, but i wouldnt rely on it to actually work.

 

[Gunny]

most PS/2 pointing devices will work on a PS/2 to serial converter I havent come across one that didnt work

 

[TivoZA]

most PS/2 pointing devices will work on a PS/2 to serial converter I havent come across one that didnt work

The problem is that the PS/2-style mouse and the serial mouse are not just different in terms of the connectors they use, they are different electrically as well. The signaling levels are different, so just using an adapter will not always work.

 

[squirrel]

TivoZA: Where did you see the PS/2 to Serial converter on the Lightedge pricelist? I can't see it anywhere.

I've decided the easiest route is just to try a converter, and if that doesn't work i'm going to buy a serial mouse (I hope something is not being used by the serial port already, I need to check!)

 

[TivoZA]

TivoZA: Where did you see the PS/2 to Serial converter on the Lightedge pricelist? I can't see it anywhere.

I bought a converter from Light Edge about 2 years ago, their online pricelist doesn't always list smaller items like cables and converters so it's best to give them a call. They might also stock a serial mouse but again it's not listed on their online pricelist.