Does a Thinkpad autodetect external PS/2 keyboard?

[betabill]

I am working on a stripped down T-23 using an external vga monitor and the keyboard off my working T-20. Needless to say I am getting tired of switching a keyboard between two units. Tried connecting a PS/2 keyboard off my desktop but the T-23 doesnt recognize it. I know the PS/2 port works 'cause I tried a PS/2 mouse in it.

[chubes]

This is misleading. You actually need a long Y cable that takes that port on the back of the thinkpad to be able to accept an external keyboard and mouse.

It is true that you can insert a ps/2 mouse in the back without this special connector.

[betabill]

Thanks, but no big deal, I just picked up another kb off Ebay.

[ambientscape]

This is misleading. You actually need a long Y cable that takes that port on the back of the thinkpad to be able to accept an external keyboard and mouse.

It is true that you can insert a ps/2 mouse in the back without this special connector.

Have you tried this with the docking station? Unfortunately my docking station would not recognized any PS/2 devices at all. When I docked my thinkpad I have to use the USB connectors. I don't know whether its faulty of my PS2 connectors......but anyhow it works fine with the built in PS2 of my thinkpad.

[bxman]

new to laptops my refurbished T23 works fine with Ps2 and USB mouse and an extenal USB keyboard but what I have not been able to do is to get the system to accept a Ps2 keyboard the option I would prefer.
any ideas! thanks,

any thoughts on port replicators or docking station would be appreciated.

[rkawakami]

The answer to your question about the PS/2 keyboard is provided in the second post of this thread. What you basically need is an adapter (a "Y" cable) which will allow you to plug a PS/2 keyboard into what is only really a mouse port. I did not realize this until recently as well. For more information, consult the following thread:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=27741

Look for the first post by JHEM.

What I have been using is the A/R/T/X port replicator which works for the T23. IBM FRU is 02K8668. This DOES come with a separate PS/2 keyboard port (as well as a mouse port). You can find them on eBay for around $10 if you are patient.

[BigWarpGuy]

I bought a port replicator for my T23. It has a separate ps2 mouse and ps2 keyboard connector. It is easy to attach. You could check out places like http://www.ebay.com . I bought mine a computer show/sale.