{"product_id":"usb-keyboard-to-ps-2-adapter-complete-unit","title":"USB Keyboard to PS\/2 adapter (complete unit)","description":"This is an open source adapter which allows using a USB keyboard (and mouse) with a computer that has a PS\/2 port. It is shipped in a ready-to-use state. If you want to save some money and are comfortable with electronics such as the Raspberry Pi Pico, you may want to check out the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/artisans.coop\/products\/usb-keyboard-to-ps-2-adapter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003elisting for the hat only\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ch1\u003eBut why?\u003c\/h1\u003eYou may be wondering, but why would anyone want to use this when they could just plug their keyboard and mouse in directly via USB? Great question! The main use is for a security improvement with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.qubes-os.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eQubes OS\u003c\/a\u003e. There is a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/forum.qubes-os.org\/t\/using-a-usb-keyboard-with-your-ps-2-port\/29606\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ediscussion\u003c\/a\u003e about this on their community forum. The other use would be to get a modern (i.e. USB) keyboard to work with an old computer. If you're not into retro computing, this is probably not of interest, but some people might find it to be wonderful.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor comparison, the commercial versions of this device made which \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tripplite.eaton.com\/ps-2-to-usb-converter~0DT60002\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ecost $80\u003c\/a\u003e and they're not open source!\u003cbr\u003e\u003ch1\u003eWhat makes this special?\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis product is entirely open source. You can download the designs and, provided you have the right equipment and skills, make one of these yourself. Others can freely make improvements to the product. You can see how its made, which is highly desirable for any security device.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch1\u003eWhat is included?\u003c\/h1\u003eThis listing is for a complete, usable adapter. It includes:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eone fully assembled hat (the purple board in the photos)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea Raspberry Pi Pico\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe case (color will vary based on what I have on hand, reach out to me if you want a specific color)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea PS\/2 cable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea USB-micro to USB-A (female) adapter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003eIt's already flashed with the code to make it work so you can plug in a keyboard to the USB port, the PS\/2 cable into your computer and you're all set! And if you want to re-flash the device, the code and instructions for doing this are available \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/No0ne\/ps2x2pico\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you want to plug in a USB mouse and keyboard, you will need a USB hub. Any USB hub should work just fine, but see the caveats below about motherboard limitations and non-standard mice. If your computer has separate PS\/2 ports for a keyboard and mouse, you'll need a splitter to split out this combo cable to individual PS\/2 ports. You'll want a Y adapter with 1 socket (female end) and two plugs (male ends).\u003ch1\u003eCaveats\u003c\/h1\u003eThese are all limitations, mostly involving mice. If you're just using this device for a keyboard, you should be good to go.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe firmware for Raspberry Pi Pico supports most mice. Some operate in weird modes and are not fully functional. For details about which mice are or aren't supported, checkout the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/No0ne\/ps2x2pico\/issues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eissue tracker\u003c\/a\u003e for the firmware. I am not the developer of the firmware, but if you work with the developer to get your mouse supported, I can assure you that my hardware will not limit you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome motherboards have a single PS\/2 port which supports a keyboard \u003cstrong\u003eAND\u003c\/strong\u003e a mouse. If that's what you have, this adapter will work fine. However, if you have a motherboard whose combo port supports a keyboard \u003cstrong\u003eOR\u003c\/strong\u003e a mouse, this PS\/2 adapter can't make up for that. Sadly, this seems to be more common than one might expect. My solution to this is to use the PS2 adapter for the keyboard and plug in the mouse to the USB port. If you are really set on using PS\/2 for both, you'll need to install an expansion card that gives you another PS\/2 port.","brand":"Open Source Gadgets","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49997639483692,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0762\/3806\/1868\/files\/bpGwdYBy0k.jpg?v=1729013519","url":"https:\/\/artisan-co-op.myshopify.com\/products\/usb-keyboard-to-ps-2-adapter-complete-unit","provider":"Artisans Cooperative","version":"1.0","type":"link"}