Windows 98 and USB

debodun

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I have an old computer with Windows 98se as the OS. Sometimes I like to boot it up to play some of the games that work on it. However, the keyboard and trackball mouse connect via a PS2 port. They are not working very well, either. I do have a spare optical mouse and keyboard that connect via USB, but this system doesn't recognize the peripheral hardware connected through USB. In other words, I assume that Windows 98 doesn't have plug and play capability for USB devices. Is there some driver I need for that?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
refurb in an HP/Compaq case
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
1.86 GHz Intrel Core 2
Motherboard
HP 0A60h XU1
Memory
3 GB Dual Channel DDR2 @ 3.32 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Q965/Q963 Express chipset
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell CRT
Hard Drives
977GB Samsung HD 103 SI ATA
Case
HP Compaq DC5800
Mouse
wired optical
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials, MalwareBytes, Spyware Blaster
Browser
Firefox 32-bit
There are adaptors that you can get that convert USB to PS/2

not sure if you need any additional drivers, but Win98 should have basic generic mouse and keyboard drivers for PS/2

Take a look here ...

USB -PS2

They are not expensive so would be worth a try
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    ChillBlast - Custom to my design
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime X570-Pro
    Memory
    64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
    Case
    Workstation Case [Matt Black]
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    920 MB Down 50 MB Up
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    BitDefender Total Security Pro
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    Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
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    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Dell XPS 17 10750H
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
    CPU
    Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS
    Memory
    32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock - Active Fan Control
    Keyboard
    Backlit + Various Logitech
    Mouse
    Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
    Internet Speed
    72 MB Down 18MB Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
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    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Toshiba satellite C650D
    OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    CPU
    AMD V120
    Memory
    4GB
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Antivirus
    MSE
    Browser
    IE11, Edge, Firefox
    Other Info
    I also have W7 Pro on my System Two, and several W7 Hyper-V VMs. My other machines run Windows 10/11. Their specs are in my Ten Forums & Eleven Forum profiles.
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Lenovo Thinkpad T430
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    CPU
    Intel i5-3320M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung SSD 860 EVO
    Antivirus
    MSE
Unfortunately, I can't order online (no credit card). I looked in WalMart when I was there last week and didn't see any of those adapters.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
refurb in an HP/Compaq case
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
1.86 GHz Intrel Core 2
Motherboard
HP 0A60h XU1
Memory
3 GB Dual Channel DDR2 @ 3.32 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Q965/Q963 Express chipset
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell CRT
Hard Drives
977GB Samsung HD 103 SI ATA
Case
HP Compaq DC5800
Mouse
wired optical
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials, MalwareBytes, Spyware Blaster
Browser
Firefox 32-bit
I have an old computer with Windows 98se as the OS. Sometimes I like to boot it up to play some of the games that work on it. However, the keyboard and trackball mouse connect via a PS2 port. They are not working very well, either. I do have a spare optical mouse and keyboard that connect via USB, but this system doesn't recognize the peripheral hardware connected through USB. In other words, I assume that Windows 98 doesn't have plug and play capability for USB devices. Is there some driver I need for that?
Hi there
If you have an eBay account [ eBay.com ]you can obtain this New Useful Female To Male Converter USBPS*2 Adapter Keyboard Mouse USB To PS2 ,
no software needed as it is "plug and play" and the feature of this it will cope with "keyboard & mouse".
Just checked the image it is not clear enough $2.61 free p&p
Good luck
Tony
 

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My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 64bit Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 @ 2.50GHz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5E3 Premium (LGA775)
Memory
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz
Graphics Card(s)
V223W (1680x1050@59Hz) 1023MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 (NVIDIA)
Sound Card
NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (Wave Extensible) (WDM)
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 22"
Screen Resolution
X193HQL (Analog)
Hard Drives
Seagate 2.0TB
ST2000DL003-9VT166 ATA Device
PSU
700W
Cooling
Akassa heatsink and two coolingfansg
Keyboard
Logitech
Antivirus
Kaspersky Internet Security 2019
Browser
IE 11
Other Info
Will be undertaking a total upgrade from the case upwards next year.
Case, motherboard, ram, cpu and last but not least a 2TB SSD, but before I do that everything will be backed up to the cloud
You can use a Debt Card via PayPal, should you have one of those cards at hand. Otherwise, some sellers on eBay may accept Cheques, or other methods of Payment.
Unfortunately, I can't order online (no credit card). I looked in WalMart when I was there last week and didn't see any of those adapters.
Do you have a local computer repair shop? You could check there and see if they could order you a USB-PS/2 converter. Just make sure the gender of the connector is correct, as you want to plug a new keyboard+mouse into two older PS/2 ports.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
CPU
Intel E8400 65W 64-bit
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3LR
Memory
DDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD5750
Sound Card
AMD High Definition Audio; Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
iiyama prolite X2377HDS
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
500GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3500413AS 16MB, 500GB 5400 rpm Toshiba MQ02ABF050H 32MB, 200GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3200820AS 8MB, 2TB 7200 rpm Western Digital WD20EZRX 64MB
PSU
Enermax Liberty Modular
Case
Antec P193 Midi Tower
Keyboard
Mionix ZIBAL 60
Mouse
Razer USB 2.0 Diamondback Mouse or Huion Graphics Tablet
Browser
Internet Explorer, Lunascape, Firefox, Opera, Avast Safezone
Its also possible to get pre-payment Cards to enable online transactions I know mastercard do them, you simply add cash to the card, (methods vary), then you use the card for online purchases as you would any other card. some people who have conventional debit/credit cards use these prepaid cards, as a safety measure, if you only put the amount of money you need for you purchase onto the card there is no way that a dishonest seller can take more than the set amount.

These cards will usually have a transaction fee per use, and possibly an initial upfront cost, but conventional cards are not free to use either
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    ChillBlast - Custom to my design
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime X570-Pro
    Memory
    64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
    Case
    Workstation Case [Matt Black]
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    920 MB Down 50 MB Up
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security Pro
    Browser
    Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Dell XPS 17 10750H
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
    CPU
    Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS
    Memory
    32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock - Active Fan Control
    Keyboard
    Backlit + Various Logitech
    Mouse
    Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
    Internet Speed
    72 MB Down 18MB Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS
Hi there
If you have an eBay account [ eBay.com ]you can obtain this New Useful Female To Male Converter USBPS*2 Adapter Keyboard Mouse USB To PS2 ,
no software needed as it is "plug and play" and the feature of this it will cope with "keyboard & mouse".
Just checked the image it is not clear enough $2.61 free p&p
Good luck
Tony


PnP was implemented in 95 but wasn't fully stable until Windows 2000. The OP needs to keep OS compatibility in mind. At that time if was fondly referred to as plug and pray. There where known compatibility and stability issues.

Is Windows 98 a Plug and Play OS? - Windows - Linus Tech Tips
Plug and play - Wikipedia
 

My Computers

System One System Two

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