Need more information. What motherboard ? what serial slot ?
Send pictures please !

Both PS/2 and RS-232 connectors were available in different pin layouts at those days.
Perhaps a multimeter will help...

Ok, so the motherboard is a SOYO-5BT5. And the serial is just a header connected to the motherboard, and also my bad i didnt mean to say "PS2 MOUSE NOT WORKING" it was "serial mouse not working"

also heres the pics (might take a few mins )

I have the same MB, and I can tell you that since it is an AT, it is necessary to check the connections of the port, to be clear there are two different connections, the cable is visually the same, the cover must be dismantled (which may not be easy), and discover the back of the door, you will see the individual cables soldered, the number 1 is the one with the red line, the others are in sequence, i.e. 2 3 4 etc...,
There are usually two types, one straight and one crossed, that's what I call them, by uncovering the back and looking at the welds, you'll see what type it is, you need the other type.

i dont know im really just an amateur and kinda regret just not getting some isa i/o cards but the ports are detected in windows

There is nothing unsolvable, you just have to change the cable, that is, use a different type of cable, those cables are probably of a different MB, I don't think they are damaged, then just check the connections, but you have to see what type of cable you have, if linear or crossed, it can only be seen by uncovering the back of the door, sliding the black plastic cover back, if you see the individual cables soldered, take a photo and I will be able (or we will be able to) tell you what type of cable you have, and which one you need .

woah it was really easy to take thje cover off. Anyways heres the inside (tho the cable was brand new from amazon)

plumbnebula5741 wrote on 2023-12-17, 09:19:

woah it was really easy to take thje cover off. Anyways heres the inside (tho the cable was brand new from amazon)

Yep, according to the manual for the soyo sy-5bt5, that cable has the wrong layout.

fyi, you can fix it by desoldering all the grey wires, leave the one with the red stripe, it's in the correct place. and then soldering the wires back on in a staggered pattern.... instead of the linear one it is using now.

alright, ill try it ill post an upgrade

also wdym with "staggered pattern" like is there a specific pattern i gotta follow? Or is in the manual

plumbnebula5741 wrote on 2023-12-17, 09:56:

also wdym with "staggered pattern" like is there a specific pattern i gotta follow? Or is in the manual

It's in the manual. but you have to know how the pins are normally numbered on both of those connectors.
https://theretroweb.com/motherboard/manual/m5 … 11029130584.pdf
page 18 (14) Zoom in for a good view.

edit: https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/Serial_port

i already fcked the 2 ports so i ordered 2 more

should i just get an ISA card? like this one

https://www.ebay.it/itm/155951588805?hash=ite … ABk9SR-DOp_aOYw

Same issue here:
MITAC PH5400TX and Serial Mouse Problem

im sure its just the Serial port not being the right pinout

you can just get a ps2 header

plumbnebula5741 wrote on 2023-12-17, 10:50:

should i just get an ISA card? like this one

https://www.ebay.it/itm/155951588805

I guess that should work if the mainboard onboard ports are disabled in the bios and the jumpers on the card are set correctly, the card isn't defective, the -12v line is present on psu and ... ?
For me it would be easier to fix the cable and use the onboard ones.

jumpers? and bios is set correctly. Also i broke the ports while putting the right pinout so im guessing ill just get an ISA card or a PS/2 header

plumbnebula5741 wrote on 2023-12-17, 08:20:

Ok, so the motherboard is a SOYO-5BT5. And the serial is just a header connected to the motherboard, and also my bad i didnt mean to say "PS2 MOUSE NOT WORKING" it was "serial mouse not working"

also heres the pics (might take a few mins )

This picture shows:
download/file.php?id=181021&mode=view

You installed a DOS driver in mouse systems mode. You said earlier too, that the mouse was working fine. Windows does not need the DOS driver, but doesn't automatically detect the mouse protocol/driver. You need to make sure that in Windows 95, you have selected the driver with the right protocol. There usually is a switch at the bottom of the mouse to switch between mouse systems protocol and microsoft protocol. But in any event there is a driver you can select for the right protocol.

You can boot to DOS with the DOS driver and try edit.com or some DOS program that uses a mouse. If it worked then the problem was in Windows.

As far as the pinout, that is easy to figure out with a continuity meter. Did you check? If you got a cable that doesn't match your SOYO boards pin configuration at the motherboard connector, then you switch the pins at the other end with the plastic connector. The pins easily pull out there with lifting a tab. Then it's just a matter of reinserting in the correct position. Doing it from the metal end is not as easy.

Edit: sometimes the other end is a crimped idc connector, but find out the pinout for sure first then.

there isnt any switch and the windows didnt detect it at all so im just gonna get another serial port and try that OR i can just get an isa i/o card

im just confused rn so ISA or serial port