Old Keyboard converter?

[Dixonater]

Hello all!

I have an old Keyboard from a mid-90's PC that ran Windows 95. The connector is a circular shape with five pins. I recently ordered a converter, but I got the sides switched.

I have been searching the Internetz for a reverse converter, so that I could at least try using my old keyboard with my laptop. All I have been able to find are some ways to artificially tamper with the hardware (splicing the cables and whatnot).

Does anyone here have a link to a converter so that I can plug my old keyboard into a USB port on a new computer?

Thanks!

 

[Kari]

Hi Dixonater, welcome to the Seven Forums.

The connector you desrcribed is called PS/2, widely used before USB to connect mouse and keyboard to PC.

A simple Google search PS/2 to USB adapter gives for instance this: Amazon.com: Adesso PS/2 to USB Adapter, connects 2 PS/2 connectors to 1 USB port/hub (ADP-PU21 ): Electronics

Kari

 

[3D Jed]

When I had a '95 box it used large audio type DIN, and I had an adapter. Google say still around . . .ah memories, but no help to the OP

 

[Dixonater]

Hi Dixonater, welcome to the Seven Forums.

The connector you desrcribed is called PS/2, widely used before USB to connect mouse and keyboard to PC.

A simple Google search PS/2 to USB adapter gives for instance this: Amazon.com: Adesso PS/2 to USB Adapter, connects 2 PS/2 connectors to 1 USB port/hub (ADP-PU21 ): Electronics

Kari

To confirm, I can plug my keyboard into this cable no problem? Keep in mind that my old keyboard as the five spokes, as opposed to five holes for the spokes. The pictures on Amazon don't show this.

 

[strollin]

I have keyboard I've been using continuously since 1986 (IBM Model M) that has the large DIN connector. You can adapt it to use the PS2 connector with one of these: Amazon.com: 5pin DIN Female to PS/2 Male Keyboard Cable Adapter - 6 1/2 inches long - 5 pin din female plug to ps2 port Male - basically - allows you to plug an older 5pin keyboard into a newer computer with a ps2 port: Electronics

My newest computer doesn't have a PS2 connector so I have one of these as well to adapt the PS2 to USB: Amazon.com: Adesso PS/2 to USB Adapter, connects 2 PS/2 connectors to 1 USB port/hub (ADP-PU21 ): Electronics

 

[Dixonater]

I have keyboard I've been using continuously since 1986 (IBM Model M) that has the large DIN connector. You can adapt it to use the PS2 connector with one of these: Amazon.com: 5pin DIN Female to PS/2 Male Keyboard Cable Adapter - 6 1/2 inches long - 5 pin din female plug to ps2 port Male - basically - allows you to plug an older 5pin keyboard into a newer computer with a ps2 port: Electronics

My newest computer doesn't have a PS2 connector so I have one of these as well to adapt the PS2 to USB: Amazon.com: Adesso PS/2 to USB Adapter, connects 2 PS/2 connectors to 1 USB port/hub (ADP-PU21 ): Electronics

The first one wouldn't work because I don't have either port on my laptop (the one with five or six pins).

That second one, though, could work...but it doesn't give me a clear picture. Does that cable in your second link connect with a keyboard with the five pins into a laptop with USB ports?

 

[DocBrown]

I find keyboards (PS2 & USB) at thrift stores ( Like GoodWill) for $2 to $5 (some used some brand new)

 

[Kari]

As my esteemed fellow geeks have told you, it might also be a DIN connector.

Does it look like this:

or like this:

 

[Dixonater]

As my esteemed fellow geeks have told you, it might also be a DIN connector.

Does it look like this:

or like this:

It is the first one.

 

[Kari]

OK, it's DIN. I do not know if DIN to USB adapters exists, can not find on Google.

Theoretically it could work with connecting keyboard to DIN to PS/2 adapter, and then this adapter to a PS/2 to USB adapter, so first this and then this. However I refuse to take any responsibility if it does not work.

Worth to think is that those old keyboards might need more power than that a USB port can provide. Anyway, Why don't you just buy a new keyboard? You get a good USB keyboard with the price of adapters you would need with your old one.

Kari

 

[Dixonater]

OK, it's DIN. I do not know if DIN to USB adapters exist, can not find on Google.

Theoretically it could work with connecting keyboard to DIN to PS/" adapter, and then this adapter to a PS/2 to USB adapter, so first this and then this. However I refuse to take any responsibility if it does not work.

Worth to think is that those old keyboards might need more power than that what a USB port can provide. Anyway, Why don't you just buy a new keyboard? You get a good USB keyboard with the price of adapters you would need with your old one.

Kari

Thanks for the info!

Yeah, at this point, I think that I will just invest in a new/used USB keyboard, given that it could be cheaper to do so, and because the double converter is not guaranteed to work (I read online that many of these converters are failing to actually convert).

Thanks!!

 

[strollin]

Yes, a new keyboard would be your best bet, I'd only advise the adapter route if you have a keyboard you really like that you want to continue using. The 2 adapters I posted links to will and do work fine with my 1986 IBM Model M to adapt it to work with DIN, PS2 or USB.

There shouldn't be any reason why the adapters won't work since there is no "conversion" taking place. It's simply routing the correct wires to the correct pins, hence adapting, not converting.

If you were dealing with an older keyboard, from an IBM PC or XT, then you would need a converter because those older keyboards used different protocols then the newer keyboards starting with the IBM AT.