Old style Keyboard

Dr Bolouswki

Got a problem - I'm trying to fix up an old piece of garbage so me mate can have internet acces etc. Its a Pentium 266 and it boots fine - problem is, it uses one of those old style keyboard connectors - like a really big PS/2 port. Anyway, it's got a PCI bracket that can take a standard PS/2 connector, but it won't detect the keyboard!! This connects to the mobo with a cable - tried reconnecting it and nada.

So - question is, where can I get one of those old style keyboards? Or, possibly, another PS/2 bracket? Or failing that, would it be standard for a BIOS to recognize a serial keyboard? Or do they even exist? I don't want to spend any money on this particularly as whatever I buy I'm not gaurunteed success anyway, as it may be the mobo itself that just can't see the keyboard!

It's a shot in the dark, but any ideas? She says the machine worked fine until about a year ago - she put it in my wardrobe when she moved and now this...

spaczed

hey killah,
if it has a ps/2 and a larger round port for the keyboard ( it's an AT port), in my experience the computer doesn't like the keyboard anywhere but in the AT port. It's not like a mouse which you can eventually get to work in a serial port-AT port usually means an AT keyboard or you can just use a ps/2 to AT adaptor! they are less then a fiver in most PC shops, but i think i have a spare one if you want it. You can just use the adaptor, and plug it in just like a native AT keyboard, AT and PS/2 keyboards are generally exactly the same, they just have different plugs.

hope it helps.

spaczed

whosurpaddy

the ps2 to "old style" adaptors r about €2 in peats/ maplins

thats the best way to go

Dr Bolouswki

nice one folks - didn't realise that an adaptor would be so readily available - I'll score one so

Many thanks

Dr Bolouswki

Got one today in peats for €3.20 - works fine - nice one guys!