ps2 to USB adapter won't work

[jarbill]

I'm trying to use my office keyboard on my t43 laptop via the USB port, but it's got a ps2 cord on the keyboard. I bought a usb/ps2 adapter connector, hooked it up, and plugged it in, but it gives me an error message that the USB device is not recognized. It lists the keyboard as an unknown device. I can't install any drivers for it, can't find any drivers on the internet, I've tried hot-swapping it in and out, tried rebooting it with it installed, no luck.

Do I maybe need to disable the current installed keyboard under device manager? I don't want to try that just in case I can't re-enable it. I've tried two different usb/ps2 adapters on three computers with Win2000 professional, WinXP pro, and WinXP home OS's, all with the same results.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Jerry

[bhtooefr]

Hmm... troubleshooting steps...

1. Remove the drivers for the Unknown USB Device in Device Manager.
2. If that doesn't work, test other USB devices. If they don't work, it's not the fault of the keyboard adaptor.
3. If it DOES work, then look at the adaptor. Try a third adaptor.

OK, that ends the boilerplate. Now we get specific.

Can you take a picture of the adaptor? The cheapest adaptors are meant for keyboards that can send USB signals over the PS/2 plug, and are worthless, unless you have a keyboard that came with one.

Now, if it's got a little bulk to it, it's a real PS/2 to USB adaptor. If so, what keyboard are you using, and what specific adaptor are you using? Model Ms are picky about what they're plugged into - many PS/2 to USB adaptors (and a lot of newer motherboards, as well) don't give it enough power.