Enabling PS2 Ports (ASUS H97 Plus)

[dw85745]

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PS2
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While this MOBO has PS2 ports I could never get them to work.
In re-reviewing the MOBO docs for the BIOS, I find "PS2 Keyboard and Mouse Support" is
listed under "Boot Menu > Fast Boot".
However Fast Boot is not available unless one has UEFI and also a GPT primary partition.
Seems odd that PS2 would be disabled for Legacy.

Questions:
1) Anyone know if I've got this Wrong?
2) It this now common MOBO practice, any reason why?


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Microsoft Service for PS2
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My understanding is that "i8042prt.sys" is the PS2 service.
It is NOT included in my list of services.
However, it does exist in the registry for services. Start = 3.


Questions:
1) Is this do to the fact that it requires UEFI ?
2) If I set Start = 1 in the registry will this allow it to work?

 

[Megahertz07]

Never heard that you must have a GPT disk to have Fast boot. Fast boot normally doesn't enable I/O during startup. It only enable them after OS boot. For Win 7, fast boot should be disabled or you wont have keyboard to enter BIOS.

Regarding PS2, no special drivers are needed,
Open Device manager. Is there any yellow alerts of missing drivers?

 

[dw85745]

Megahertz07: Thanks for responding.


Per Manual on PS2

PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse Support [Auto]
Select any of these settings when PS/2 keyboard and mouse are installed. These settings
only apply when Fast Boot is enabled.
[Auto]
For a faster POST time, PS/2 devices will only be available when the
system boots up or rebooted when the PS/2 devices have not been
reconnected or changed. If you disconnect or change PS/2 devices before
restarting the system, PS/2 devices will not be available and BIOS setup
program will not be accessible via PS/2 devices.
[Full Initialization] For full system control, PS/2 devices will be available during POST at any
circumstances. This process will extend POST time.
[Disabled]
For the fastest POST time, all PS/2 devices will not be available until your
computer enters the operating system

Based on the above, - by my reading - even if Mouse and Keyboard are connected to PS2 they would NOT be
available to manipulate items in the BIOS / UEFI menus. So one would be "SOL"
to manipulate any BIOS / UEFI items unless they had USB Mouse or Keyboard attached.



===========================
No yellow exclamations in device manager.
They don't even show up in Device Manager anywhere I can find.
For example since they are physically tagged by name and color on the MOBO, one would think
they would appear under Keyboard and Mouse. Not there. Also not listed under
Human Interface Devices (HID).


THAT ALSO LEAD to another related question I have.
Initally I thought MS was just providing a different perspective when they listed (in Device Manager)
Keyboard and Mouse separately from HID devices. However when playing with these entries
I find if I Disable a Mouse Entry, that the HID entry associated with that mouse still remains Enabled.
There is a HID Service but non-specifically for Keyboard and Mouse which maybe (???) handled directly by the Kernel so no need for a separate service. PLan to research this after PS2 unless you know answer.

 

[Megahertz07]

There is a little confusion here.
If fast boot is disabled (recommended) PS2 will be available on all circumstances.

There are 3 scenarios when FAST BOOT = Enabled.
- PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse Support [Default =Auto]
1) Auto - If you disconnect or change PS/2 devices before restarting the system, PS/2 devices will not be available and BIOS setup program will not be accessible via PS/2 devices.
This is a way to enter BIOS via PS2. Very confuse.
2) Full Initialization - For full system control, PS/2 devices will be available during POST at any circumstances.
This is the best way to enter BIOS via PS2 when FAST BOOT = Enabled.
3) Disabled - PS/2 devices will not be available until your computer enters the operating system.
This is the worst option. You won't be able to enter BIOS unless you reset BIOS

 

[dw85745]

There is a little confusion here.
If fast boot is disabled (recommended) PS2 will be available on all circumstances.

In my case "Fast Boot" = DISABLED.
However, the PS2 Port does NOT recognize my Keyboard ( Original IBM Model M). Whether that is because of the Keyboard is unknown, but I would think the Original IBM was the basis on which the PS2 was designed - basically same connector only smaller. (however I haven't verified pinouts), hence I'm using a adapter (Model M > PS2). I know the adapter is OK as also using it to go to USB.
(Model M > Adapter > USB Splitter (Key and Mouse))



Since the PS2 is also controlled by a Service (i8042prt), I'm guessing this service allows the PS2 port to be disabled in relationship to the OS. However, this -- IMHO - would not be applicable when manipulating the BIOS/UEFI on the MOBO as the OS hasn't been loaded at this point. The fact this Service is missing in my Services list (though in the Registry) I believe is an independent issue to the PS2 functioning with the BIOS /UEFI.

 

[dw85745]

Megahertz07:


Was able to find an old PS2 Mouse (one with trackball). Plugged it directly into PS2 port with Fast Boot = DISABLED. The mouse worked.



Have to try and find someone with a PS2 keyboard so I can at least check the port.
If the port turns out good, why my Model M keyboard will work running through the large to small PS2 adapter and then to USB andNot function connecting directly to PS2 is a very interesting question.


This clears up two issued for me. PS2 mouse port functionality and the understanding that Fast Boot can be DISABLED and the PS2 Port will work.


Appreciate all your efforts on my behalf.


David

 

[Ranger4]

I have found that a USB mouse will work through a PS2 connection when used with a USB to PS2 adapter, but a USB keyboard will not work through the PS2 adapter. Both mouse & keyboard are Logitech brand.

So perhaps if you wish to use the keyboard through the PS2 you might have to buy a PS2 keyboard.

 

[dw85745]

Ranger4:


Thanks. Good to know. Be nice if the docs said this somewhere.


Have a Gooday.


David

 

[Ranger4]

This website might throw more light on the subject for you.

The pros and cons of PS/2 to USB adapters and converters

 

[mrjimphelps]

The keyboard port should be purple, and the mouse port should be green. Does that match the ports you are plugging your keyboard and mouse into? Also, the computer needs to be powered off when you either connect or disconnect the keyboard and mouse.

There is not a more PS/2 keyboard than an IBM Model M. However, it is possible that it is missing one or more pins in the plug. If this is the case, then that could be the reason why the keyboard is not working. There have been times over the years that I have been directed to remove a pin from the Model M keyboard, and that this wouldn't make any difference when the keyboard was plugged into an IBM computer. But could it cause problems for a non-IBM computer? I've always wondered about that.