Resolved ps2 to usb for old Gateway keyboard

I have a Gateway keyboard from when I owned an original Gateway PC (circa 2004). I have Windows 7 with no PS2 ports. Is there a cable I can use to connect my PS2 keyboard to my Windows 7 pc via usb? I have tried one cable bought at Radio Shack. The clerk said of course it will work without a driver and of course I cannot get it to work.
I am not sure if I need a driver or what. Windows recognizes the device when I plug it in to the USB port and presumably downloads a driver, but I still cannot get it to work.

Anyone know if it is possible for me to use this keyboard and how I would get it to work? It is a Gateway 7001602 PS/2 Key Board E06150US020-C
It is a far better keyboard then any I have used otherwise. I did use it on my old Dell with XP but that has a PS2 port.

Thanks

 

try googling ps2 to usb and you'll get a million adapter options. About the driver, I haven't found that I need to download a driver manually because windows 7 usually does it automatically.

 

I think what Steve means is there is no standard "type" or format these adapters come in, because there certainly are universal standards in play here - at least when it comes to the pin-assignments, connector types, voltages, etc. Where the problem(?) is is determining what type of adapter you need. There are simply adapters - like this, of which I have a dozen or so laying around as they used to come with many new USB mice and keyboards. And there are adapter cables, like this that allows you to connect both a PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse to a USB port. There are also single cables, for just a mouse or a keyboard - and they come in many lengths.

Or, you can even simply add PS/2 support to any PC with a spare PCI slot (NOT to be confused with PCIe) using a PCI to PS/2 adapter card.

Find an old geek in your neighborhood or work. It is likely he or she has a few of the little adapters laying around in their junk drawers they will just give you. Or next time you are in Eastern Nebraska, stop on by!

BTW, long ago and far away - way before Gateway was cheapened with the merger with eMachines, and cheapened further when it was later bought-out by Acer, Gateway made (or rebranded) some excellent keyboards. They had a "tactile" feel and reassuring click that rivaled the best Northgate Omni and IBM Model M keyboards.

My old Gateway AT tower is long gutted (and turned into a side table!), but the keyboard lives on (even if it does not have a Windows key!).

 

You need an Active, instead of Passive adapter.

ClickKeyboards.com

CyberGuys.com > PS/2 Keyboard to USB Active Adapter

Amazon.com > PS2 Keyboard to USB Active Adapter


This is an ACTIVE adapter ... that works:

 

Good point. The device itself has to support both protocols and most newer keyboard and mouse designers today were not born when PS/2 was around. Well, not that bad but almost.

I don't see this as a problem with that old keyboard. Windows 7 might have a problem though so the adapter card would alleviate that.

 

Thank You SpywareDr, I just ordered one from Amazon. A very thorough response from you was much appreciated. My fingers will be thanking you also.

Bill, My Gateway keyboard even has the Windows key. I used original Gateway PCs for several years and even gave one each to our grown children. Service and support and PC was the best I ever had. BTW - Nebraska is a bit far from Pennsylvania, but thanks for the stop by invite anyway.

I was wrong, my Gateway keyboard is a lot older then I thought. Probably from the late 1990s.

I will close this thread, but will reopen if for any reason the adapter does not work.