Using a PS/2 KB/Mouse on an iMac

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John Strazzarino - 06 May 2008 06:20 GMT

I have 6 iMacs; but only one mac keyboard and one mac mouse. I purchased
several of those PS/2 to USB converters; which convert two PS/2 devices to a
single USB connector. I plugged them into an iMac running OS/X 10.3.9, but
they did not work. Any suggestions? I cannot use a KVM type switch as
these computers are going to several different locations. I tried some
software called USB Overdrive, but that didn't seem to work.

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isw - 06 May 2008 17:45 GMT

> I have 6 iMacs; but only one mac keyboard and one mac mouse. I purchased
> several of those PS/2 to USB converters; which convert two PS/2 devices to a
> single USB connector. I plugged them into an iMac running OS/X 10.3.9, but
> they did not work. Any suggestions? I cannot use a KVM type switch as
> these computers are going to several different locations. I tried some
> software called USB Overdrive, but that didn't seem to work.

At least *some* of those PS/2-USB adapters just convert one sort of
four-pin plug to the other -- there are no electronics of any sort
inside. I think they only work if the mouse or keyboard has intelligence
to sense which sort of circuit it's hooked up to, and operate
accordingly.

IOW, if what you have is a "pure" PS/2 mouse, that sort of adapter won't
help.

Isaac

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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / May 2008

Using a PS/2 KB/Mouse on an iMac