feipoa wrote on 2023-06-24, 08:40:

I've used 5 different external ps/2 to serial protocol converters, all of which showed some lag when used with my KVM at the tested resolution, normally 1280x768. With Rio444's ISA serial emulator card, I did not observe any lag. Rio444's emulator card is my go-to for all systems for which I cannot modify to accept a native PS/2 mouse. It is my opinion that everyone should keep at least one of these cards for such circumstances.

I have only two of Rio444's cards - one is in my NexGen PF110 system, the other I use for benchtop tests.

So it looks like Rio444's card isn't noticeably laggy, but native ps/2 mouse mod is still preferable were possible. thanks for the update

Anyone want to sell their card? I have a Microsoft Intellimouse and I can’t find the serial to ps2 converter adapter so would rather just get this ps2 card. Then I could use the intellimouse or something more recent and optical. Thanks!

POTA wrote on 2023-06-28, 13:33:

So it looks like Rio444's card isn't noticeably laggy, but native ps/2 mouse mod is still preferable were possible. thanks for the update

What's "native ps/2 mouse mod" ?

It's incredible.
I never would have imagined that one would get stuck on a simple mouse problem with retro PCs.
I just got an old 486 with a large DIN connector for the keyboard and no mouse connector.

I gullibly went on Amazon and searched ISA PS/2 card, only to find nothing. Same everywhere, until I found out info here on good old Vogons and was shocked.

Rio444 made an excellent job filling a market gap. I talked to him via email, but the international problems make it arduous. And he can't get paid. He said he gave the firmware to somebody here on the forum.

Is anybody building these cards?

Thanks

I believe these adaptors to be the most versatile modern construct for adding a PS/2 mouse to any retro system, so it is unfortunate that supply had to be halted.

I have the firmware saved somewhere (I think), but haven't had a chance to look into building these cards. Hopefully I will get to within the next year or two, but it is low on my list of priorities. I still have one card for testing purposes and wasn't planning on doing any building myself until I needed another unit. Perhaps someone with more time, urgency, and will power can take the reins here.

Also, I do not have a 3D printer, so I wouldn't be able to provide the 3D printed 90-degree retention brackets for the slot cover. Shown here:

Unfortunately, I don't think there were any PCB-mount PS/2 DIN connectors with side mount retainers. I'm pretty sure those only came in the non-PCB, loose wire, variant of these DINs.

feipoa wrote on 2023-09-26, 08:47:

I believe these adaptors to be the most versatile modern construct for adding a PS/2 mouse to any retro system, so it is unfortu […]
Show full quote

I believe these adaptors to be the most versatile modern construct for adding a PS/2 mouse to any retro system, so it is unfortunate that supply had to be halted.

I have the firmware saved somewhere (I think), but haven't had a chance to look into building these cards. Hopefully I will get to within the next year or two, but it is low on my list of priorities. I still have one card for testing purposes and wasn't planning on doing any building myself until I needed another unit. Perhaps someone with more time, urgency, and will power can take the reins here.

Also, I do not have a 3D printer, so I wouldn't be able to provide the 3D printed 90-degree retention brackets for the slot cover. Shown here:
IMG_2566.JPG

Unfortunately, I don't think there were any PCB-mount PS/2 DIN connectors with side mount retainers. I'm pretty sure those only came in the non-PCB, loose wire, variant of these DINs.

OKay thanks.

Well, if you find the firmware, let me know, I downloaded the other stuff, those strange files, from the guy and maybe I'll create a new topic putting all the stuff and asking whoever wants to build them...

I have firmware v1.2, but it is not for me to distribute. You would need to obtain this from Rio444.

feipoa wrote on 2023-09-26, 09:09:

I have firmware v1.2, but it is not for me to distribute. You would need to obtain this from Rio444.

On page 11 of this topic he said this:

Rio444 wrote on 2022-12-23, 10:20:

As for the mouse PS/2 adlapter in ISA, I plan to do the following. In the near future I will post here gerbers for PCB and BOM. […]
Show full quote

It looks like the crap that some of my compatriots have done in Ukraine will not end in the foreseeable future. So yes, I'm close to sharing all the sources, but I'm not ready for that yet.
This project is no longer interesting to me. But it brought a small but stable income, which allowed me to do other projects. Over the past time, I was able to implement several small projects that I was too lazy to post on this site. And perhaps the most serious project of mine to date is coming to an end - a video converter from EGA/ CGA/MONO to VGA. It is similar to the well-known MCE2VGA project, only little better))) Here is a video of the very first prototype https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMGqXjjjTI

As for the mouse PS/2 adlapter in ISA, I plan to do the following. In the near future I will post here gerbers for PCB and BOM. So that everyone can evaluate the cost and the ability to make it on their own. If someone decides to do this, he can write to me in the PM and I will give the firmwares. Please note that I consent only to the non-commercial use of these materials. You can make devices for yourself, your friends, maybe sell some surplus on the local market, but nothing more.

Added:
Gerbers https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UlZlQQGpr_lv … iew?usp=sharing copy https://disk.yandex.ru/d/h6lZCQXyhQQ--w
BOM https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y1JxC … of=true&sd=true copy https://disk.yandex.ru/i/KORzw5qpPurPqw

And today, by email, he said this (see attached screenshot), referring to firmware from users of the forum.

feipoa wrote on 2023-09-26, 09:09:

I have firmware v1.2, but it is not for me to distribute. You would need to obtain this from Rio444.

Nevermind, he gave me the firmware and also the stl for the plastic angle...

Perfect! What are your plans now? Whip up a dozen or so?

feipoa wrote on 2023-09-26, 10:53:

Perfect! What are your plans now? Whip up a dozen or so?

Oh I don't have those skills, even remotely.

I will make a post on Vogons asking to 'whoever' is capable to and willing to build one. If somebody comes up, then I'll forward the files. Roman told me: rigorously for personal use, not to be divulged.

aries-mu wrote on 2023-09-26, 10:59:

If somebody comes up, then I'll forward the files.

I'd love to try to build these things for the Vogons members. I need two of them myself.

copper wrote on 2023-09-26, 11:13:

aries-mu wrote on 2023-09-26, 10:59:

If somebody comes up, then I'll forward the files.

I'd love to try to build these things for the Vogons members. I need two of them myself.

Oh wow!
That's great you have the skills! It must feel satisfying!!!

Please, let me know if you need all the files and how much would you charge for it. Also, your country, so that I can estimate a shipping cost to Italy. Thanks a lot!

Yes, please send me the files by PM.

I can't estimate the cost until I put everything together but it doesn't seem like it will be crazy.

I'm in the US. The boards are small; they should ship cheaply enough.

copper wrote on 2023-09-26, 11:28:

Yes, please send me the files by PM.

I can't estimate the cost until I put everything together but it doesn't seem like it will be crazy.

I'm in the US. The boards are small; they should ship cheaply enough.

Gotcha! Thanks, PM incoming...

copper wrote on 2023-09-26, 11:28:

Yes, please send me the files by PM.

I can't estimate the cost until I put everything together but it doesn't seem like it will be crazy.

I'm in the US. The boards are small; they should ship cheaply enough.

Roman (the creator of this project) just specified what follows:

"No need to forward this to everyone on the forum. Otherwise device will appear on eBay soon. There are people who get rich from other people's developments. I am passing on this documentation on the condition that you will make the device only for yourself and will not sell it on international trading platforms, like eBay.
I wrote about this earlier on the forum."

Please, confirm the reception of and agreement to the above.

Thank you!

aries-mu wrote on 2023-09-26, 11:53:

Please, confirm the reception of and agreement to the above.

Yep I got it. Not a business project. I will respect his wishes.

This ISA card is two things. PS2 to serial converter, and a Serial 8250 ISA card. It looks great and is a neatly designed all in one package. But if you arent after aesthetics and just want a working mouse and already have one serial port available in your computer then $10 will get you there without dedicated card:

https://github.com/LimeProgramming/USB-serial-mouse-adapter for USB mice
USB to Serial Mouse using the Pi Pico! https://dosreloaded.de/forum/thread/5044-usb- … -pico/?pageNo=1

requires either:
$5 pico
$0.4 DB9 female plug
$0.4MAX232
$0.5 random small resistors/capacitors
$1-2 a small piece of protoboard
$1 usb micro to usb A OTG adapter to plug ordinary USB mouse into pi
or:
$3 Black pico clone "P2040 Dual Core ARM Development Board for RP2 Raspberry Pi Pico USB DIY", its a cheaper pico clone and as a bonus has USB C connector
$0.4 "Type C to USB Adapter 3.0 USB-C 3.1 Male OTG A Female Data Connector Converter" Converts USB C to ordinary female USB A socket for the mouse
$2 "MAX3232 RS232 Serial Port To TTL Converter Module Female DB9 COM Serial" - example Re: USB to Serial Mouse using the Pi Pico!

Whole thing can be soldered together in 10 minutes.

rasz_pl wrote on 2023-09-26, 14:16:

This ISA card is two things. PS2 to serial converter, and a Serial 8250 ISA card. It looks great and is a neatly designed all in […]
Show full quote

This ISA card is two things. PS2 to serial converter, and a Serial 8250 ISA card. It looks great and is a neatly designed all in one package. But if you arent after aesthetics and just want a working mouse and already have one serial port available in your computer then $10 will get you there without dedicated card:

https://github.com/LimeProgramming/USB-serial-mouse-adapter for USB mice
USB to Serial Mouse using the Pi Pico! https://dosreloaded.de/forum/thread/5044-usb- … -pico/?pageNo=1

requires either:
$5 pico
$0.4 DB9 female plug
$0.4MAX232
$0.5 random small resistors/capacitors
$1-2 a small piece of protoboard
$1 usb micro to usb A OTG adapter to plug ordinary USB mouse into pi
or:
$3 Black pico clone "P2040 Dual Core ARM Development Board for RP2 Raspberry Pi Pico USB DIY", its a cheaper pico clone and as a bonus has USB C connector
$0.4 "Type C to USB Adapter 3.0 USB-C 3.1 Male OTG A Female Data Connector Converter" Converts USB C to ordinary female USB A socket for the mouse
$2 "MAX3232 RS232 Serial Port To TTL Converter Module Female DB9 COM Serial" - example Re: USB to Serial Mouse using the Pi Pico!

Whole thing can be soldered together in 10 minutes.

Interesting, thanks!

If I had lots of free time, I'd like to do that.
Given how time treats me, and solid statistics, I bet I never will

rasz_pl wrote on 2023-09-26, 14:16:

This ISA card is two things. PS2 to serial converter, and a Serial 8250 ISA card. It looks great and is a neatly designed all in […]
Show full quote

This ISA card is two things. PS2 to serial converter, and a Serial 8250 ISA card. It looks great and is a neatly designed all in one package. But if you arent after aesthetics and just want a working mouse and already have one serial port available in your computer then $10 will get you there without dedicated card:

https://github.com/LimeProgramming/USB-serial-mouse-adapter for USB mice
USB to Serial Mouse using the Pi Pico! https://dosreloaded.de/forum/thread/5044-usb- … -pico/?pageNo=1

requires either:
$5 pico
$0.4 DB9 female plug
$0.4MAX232
$0.5 random small resistors/capacitors
$1-2 a small piece of protoboard
$1 usb micro to usb A OTG adapter to plug ordinary USB mouse into pi
or:
$3 Black pico clone "P2040 Dual Core ARM Development Board for RP2 Raspberry Pi Pico USB DIY", its a cheaper pico clone and as a bonus has USB C connector
$0.4 "Type C to USB Adapter 3.0 USB-C 3.1 Male OTG A Female Data Connector Converter" Converts USB C to ordinary female USB A socket for the mouse
$2 "MAX3232 RS232 Serial Port To TTL Converter Module Female DB9 COM Serial" - example Re: USB to Serial Mouse using the Pi Pico!

Whole thing can be soldered together in 10 minutes.

What if you actually want ps/2 and not USB

$20 PS2TOSERIAL : Connecting a PS/2 mouse to the serial port https://www.serdashop.com/PS2TOSERIAL https://github.com/matze79/PS2-Adapter
same ~$10 $5 diy Arduno pro mini + $2 "MAX3232 RS232 Serial Port To TTL Converter Module Female DB9 COM Serial" https://github.com/necroware/ps2-serial-mouse-adapter
or of you want some coding fun combine https://github.com/LimeProgramming/USB-serial-mouse-adapter with https://github.com/No0ne/ps2pico 😀