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I bought a server about 3 months ago from a friend, and I have only had time to tinker with it in the last week. I noticed that this server doesn't have any PS/2 ports, which meant configuring it was near impossible. I don't have any USB keyboards in the house, I only have an IBM Model M keyboard (built 1994) and another IBM keyboard that was built circa 2001. Both of them have PS/2 connections.

I bought an adapter off eBay, and when I used it with the Model M keyboard the three lights on the keyboard flashed for a split second, but then the keyboard is then unresponsive. I can bash away at the keys for ages and nothing will happen. The same applies to the later built IBM keyboard.

What could I do to make the adapter work? I am getting the loan of a USB keyboard in two weeks time, but I'd like a more permanent solution without having to rely on getting the loan of a keyboard every time I have to perform maintenance on the server. And as I already have two keyboards which work fine and I like using, I don't really want to have to buy another keyboard just for use on the server.

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  • I don't understand your logic. So you purchase an adapter instead of buying a cheap usb keyboard?
    – Ramhound
    Apr 11, 2012 at 14:41
  • The money isn't the issue, it's the space. I don't have much space, and I'm already crammed in. I have two keyboards already, and to have a third that would be used maybe once every few months seems a waste to me. Apr 11, 2012 at 18:58

2 Answers 2

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The PS/2 and USB connectors are not equivalent. Many devices can be used in both using a passive adapter (but then almost always USB->PS/2, not the other way around), but not all [1].

There are "active adapters" available that connect to USB and simply gives you two PS/2 connectors. If this is what you have, then something is weird, but you probably have a pure rewiring adapter.

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  • I did see those "active adapters", but I thought that these did the same job as what I bought (which is just a single adapter). Thank you for the clarification. Apr 11, 2012 at 10:51
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    Purchasing a USB keyboard would probably work out cheaper, quicker and easier than playing with different adaptors. here is an active adaptor.
    – HaydnWVN
    Apr 11, 2012 at 12:15
  • Thanks for the link, I will shop around and if a keyboard is cheaper then I will have to bite the bullet. I have seen those adapters for a cheaper price but will look around more. Apr 11, 2012 at 18:59
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IBM Model M keyboards require more power than that is provided by most USB<->PS/2 adapters. If you search the Net, you'll find one with ease.

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