Is there any active converter that would take *any* serial PC input device and convert it to PS/2?
I have this old mouse that uses a Winpoint driver that is absolute trash. I can't get it running on Windows 2000.
If there was something that would convert any serial mouse to a standard (say Microsoft Mouse) PS/2 mouse, it would be very handy.
Um, I'm speaking under correction, but many mice from the 1990s were dual mode, no matter their connector.
The chips inside did understand both the RS-232 and PS/2 protocol equally (MS Mouse). All it needed was a mechanical adapter.
That's because the RS-232 interface of Microsoft compatible mice was a hack, anyway.
Some of the status lines were used to power the mice and/or for communication. Not RS-232 conform, as such.
Again, speaking under correction. PS/2 vs USB is another story. But RS-232 mice and PS/2 mice used similar technology.
Edit: Ah, I understand now. You want some sort of protocol filter/translator for your mouse. So you can use standard drivers.
That's definitely possible, but I'm not aware of something like that.
You can try converting up and down, however. Use multiple converters in a chain, so to say. Serial to USB and USB back to PS/2 or serial..
Not sure if such mouse converter projects exist, however.
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if your old mouse uses special "Winpoint driver" such converter wouldnt know how to talk to it either.
There are converters made using pico, PICs, arduino. Most are for connecting modern USB mice to PS2 or serial tho.
https://www.versalent.biz/usbm232.htm
Arduino based PS/2 to Serial mouse adapter (#DOScember ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORccba_6Pfg
https://hackaday.com/2021/08/09/this-old-mous … e-depraz-mouse/
https://www.serdashop.com/PS2TOSERIAL https://hackaday.io/project/27575-ps2-to-rs23 … mouse-converter
one for keyboard:
Serial to PS/2 Keyboard Adapter - L3 Systems KeyAThttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pto9zsK_rIw
if you have coding inclinations and want to learn about basic electronics its not outside the reach of absolute amateur to build specifically what you want using a $8 Arduino mini clone and https://github.com/necroware/ps2-serial-mouse-adapter as a template
https://www.retrokits.de/index.php/ps-2-mouse … mice-converter/
Serdashop sells its own version based on this.
https://www.retrokits.de - blog, retro projects, hdd clicker, diy soundcards etc
https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board
another one HIDman - USB to PS/2 converter (Open Source)
but still non of them are doing "weird serial mouse needing specific driver to PS2" 😀
Yeah I think I am stuck with this. Problem is, it does not work with certain software, this mouse. But it's just so convenient, I refuse to give it up just yet! I don't have the desk space to run a regular mouse.
Then get to learning arduino 😀
for motivation another mouse story (bus mouse this time) showing blog author picking up arduino and adapting code to his particular needs https://www.leadedsolder.com/2023/09/12/tokio … se-adapter.html
