USB -> PS/2 Converter for today's Keyboard / Mouse ? \ VOGONS

USB -> PS/2 Converter for today's Keyboard / Mouse ?

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First post, by schlang

Posted on 2022-02-22, 16:35

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Hi, I'm really interested in finding/building/programming a real USB -> PS/2 adapter so I can use today's peripherals with my oldskool PCs.
Today I'm using a Microsoft Wireless Desktop Elite in PS/2 mode with a DVI/PS2 KVM for all three PCs and it works pretty good, but I would be so much more happier if I could use my G915 keyboard and my Anywhere MX mouse.

I'm pretty sure that there are no stock adapters for today's hardware, and as far as I can tell there are only USB/HID -> PS2 converters.
These however don't work with today's wireless/bluetooth/unified hardware.

Since I'm willing to spend both time and money into this project I would like to ask if anybody wants to assist or even has done something similar in the past.
I can code Java and C++, but I really hate building/soldering the hardware because I'm really bad at it.

Any help or comment on the topic are much appreciated. Comments like "just use the old keyboard/mouse" are very not welcome.
Thank you.

Think you know your games music? Show us: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37532

Reply 1 of 15, by TrashPanda

Posted on 2022-02-22, 17:26

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You can buy them off eBay for pennies, USB 2 ps2 is easily done.

Converting wireless to ps2 is an odd thing to want.

USB/ps2 to Serial is more difficult and requires special hardware and software for most cases.

Reply 2 of 15, by Doornkaat

Posted on 2022-02-22, 17:30

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TrashPanda wrote on 2022-02-22, 17:26:

You can buy them off eBay for pennies, USB 2 ps2 is easily done.

USB/ps2 to Serial is more difficult and requires special hardware and software for most cases.

Those passive USB-PS/2 adaptors require the mouse/keyboard to support PS/2, which most modern HID don't.

Reply 3 of 15, by TrashPanda

Posted on 2022-02-22, 17:41

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Doornkaat wrote on 2022-02-22, 17:30:

TrashPanda wrote on 2022-02-22, 17:26:

You can buy them off eBay for pennies, USB 2 ps2 is easily done.

USB/ps2 to Serial is more difficult and requires special hardware and software for most cases.

Those passive USB-PS/2 adaptors require the mouse/keyboard to support PS/2, which most modern HID don't.

Hmm I guess it could be done via a zero Pi or other cheap sbc, I wasn’t aware they removed basic legacy ps2 support.

Reply 4 of 15, by AirIntake

Posted on 2022-02-22, 18:01

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LGR just released this video today that might interest you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbHr7ULpusM

Casio BE-300 Advancement Society alumni

Reply 5 of 15, by schlang

Posted on 2022-02-22, 22:16

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AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-22, 18:01:

LGR just released this video today that might interest you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbHr7ULpusM

OMG this is what I need <3

Think you know your games music? Show us: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37532

Reply 6 of 15, by TrashPanda

Posted on 2022-02-22, 22:19

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schlang wrote on 2022-02-22, 22:16:

AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-22, 18:01:

LGR just released this video today that might interest you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbHr7ULpusM

OMG this is what I need <3

I must admit I wouldn't mind one too, but getting the Pi for it might be difficult right now.

Reply 7 of 15, by schlang

Posted on 2022-02-22, 22:28

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This is an amazing project - even if it will get delayed, it is definitely worth supporting dekuNukem right away

Think you know your games music? Show us: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37532

Reply 8 of 15, by AirIntake

Posted on 2022-02-22, 22:34

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schlang wrote on 2022-02-22, 22:28:

This is an amazing project - even if it will get delayed, it is definitely worth supporting dekuNukem right away

It's especially worth it since it supports multiple devices simultaneously. The real bonus is being able to bind joystick inputs to keyboard and mouse. There's so many DOS games that either don't have joystick support, don't allow joystick configuration, or only support 2 or 4 buttons.

Casio BE-300 Advancement Society alumni

Reply 9 of 15, by TrashPanda

Posted on 2022-02-22, 22:38

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AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-22, 22:34:

schlang wrote on 2022-02-22, 22:28:

This is an amazing project - even if it will get delayed, it is definitely worth supporting dekuNukem right away

It's especially worth it since it supports multiple devices simultaneously. The real bonus is being able to bind joystick inputs to keyboard and mouse. There's so many DOS games that either don't have joystick support, don't allow joystick configuration, or only support 2 or 4 buttons.

For DOS games like platformers and shootemups I can see this being amazing .. racing games too that dont have native joystick support.

Reply 10 of 15, by schlang

Posted on 2022-02-22, 22:40

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Yes, I pledged right away. I'm already dreaming about laying on my couch and playing all my favorites on my 65" TV, using only wireless controllers

Think you know your games music? Show us: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37532

Reply 11 of 15, by luckybob

Posted on 2022-02-22, 22:59

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AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-22, 18:01:

LGR just released this video today that might interest you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbHr7ULpusM

FUCK.

Now i have to buy a 3rd pi...

I think this kills this thread pretty effectively, eh?

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Reply 12 of 15, by AirIntake

Posted on 2022-02-22, 23:01

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schlang wrote on 2022-02-22, 22:40:

Yes, I pledged right away. I'm already dreaming about laying on my couch and playing all my favorites on my 65" TV, using only wireless controllers

It might be possible to use the Steam Controller in DOS now. Oh wow.

Casio BE-300 Advancement Society alumni

Reply 13 of 15, by TrashPanda

Posted on 2022-02-22, 23:04

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So many tasty pledges ....but well being me might as well grab the everything tier.

Need this thing to see the light of day !

Reply 14 of 15, by schlang

Posted on 2022-02-22, 23:10

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AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-22, 23:01:

It might be possible to use the Steam Controller in DOS now. Oh wow.

and even that stupid sidewinder gamepad 😁

Think you know your games music? Show us: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37532

Reply 15 of 15, by douglar

Posted on 2022-02-23, 15:22

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This is great. I'm on the kickstarter train.

Of course I'd love a module that let's you mount & power it internally from an 8 bit XT slot.

I'd also like functionality that allows it to connect to network file shares over wifi and present them as a serial port that Xtide Universal Bios can mount as a local drive.

But I want lots of stuff and this is still great.

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