keyboard mouse combo on ps/2 problem

This is a Dell Deimension 800 with win XP home. Both the wireless keyboard and mouse on the combo work fine and the drivers automatically install themselves when I plug in the sensor into the USB. But when I just plug the green ps/2 plug (that's the alternative that is supplied) into the green PS/2 port and reboot, then only the mouse (with its ps/2 mouse drive installed) works and the keyboard is not recognized until the usb is connected again. I can't believe that the ps/2 plug is supplied just for the mouse and not for both the mouse and the keyboard. I need to free up the usb port (there are only 2 usb 1.0 ports on this old computer) to plug in other devices.

Does anyone know what the hitch is?

I would appreciate some help.

 

"Old computer "...look in the BIOS/startup settings for "USB Legacy Support "

 

yes you should have a "enable
or "disable" option for USB keyboard in your BIOS

 

I checked in the BIOS: yes, the legacy USB support is marked enabled. Should I disable it? But then, I would not be able to use the two USB ports at all. My question is how to have the ps/2 port work for both the mouse and the keyboard (Logitech).

 

"Legacy Support" is only to add USB keyboard control to the stage before the Operating System loads. There will be another setting for the USB Controller, that enables/disables USB completely. You will probably only be able to use one type of keyboard or the other, not both at the same time.

 

Yes, I have seen that legacy entry on the Dell logo screen. But I went inside the BIOS and that's where I saw the legacy USB enabled. I don't think there is another place inside the bios (Phenix).

 

Ok, so disable the USB Legacy Support. That should allow you to use the PS/2 keyboard (but probably not the USB keyboard). The USB mouse and any other USB devices should work normally.

If you need to free up USB ports, why don't you consider getting a USB Hub? If you get one, I recommend that you get a self-powered type. The keyboard and mouse should still be connected directly to the computer though.

Matt

 

The problem seems to be that the ps/2 port works, but only for the mouse and not the keyboard. The keyboard doesn't seem to function on the ps/2. That's my problem.

Of course, I do plan to use a USB hub eventually; 'self-powered' means that I have to plug in the power cord in an outlet. I think the one I have works fine through the computer power.

I will of course try to disable the USB legacy support and see what happens (then I can't use the USB ports -- that's something I certainly don't want). Right now I can't get on that computer; but I will when I get on it the next time.

 

Check the Logitech site for your model number and go to the troubleshooting quide for your connections.

I have a Logitech ex110 combo. It either works off 1 USB port or uses BOTH PS/2 ports. The green mouse plug AND a purple usb to ps/2 adapter for the keyboard that also gets plugged in.

 

Hi Moorty,

ephemarial's advice to check out the trouble shooting guide should be your first step.

mattman's advice for a powered hub is the way to go.

However, if there's a store nearby, get a 4-port (plain) USB hub, plug it in and see if it works. At worst, you've had to make a couple of trips to the store. At best, it works and you have 3 extra USB ports.

Just a thought.

 

Just as the manufacturer intended - there's nothing wrong with your computer or the keyboard/mouse.

Step back a minute and think logically. A green PS2 plug is universally color coded to go into a green PS2 port which is for your mouse. A purple PS2 plug would be required to connect your keyboard to the (if it exists) purple PS2 port which is for your keyboard. Since you have only one PS2 plug and its green, the only function you are going to get out of it is the mouse.

Now, your wireless keyboard/mouse was probably designed to work with either USB or PS2 ports but most manufacturers warn against plugging in both the USB connector and the PS2 connector at the same time - it's usually one or the other but not both.

So, you now ask ......... what gives? If you travel back in time to the first time you ever used this keyboard/mouse, there was most likely a little purple USB to PS2 converter with a warning tag advising you to use both PS2 connectors or just the one USB connector, but not both simultaneously. If you have misplaced this little converter, you can buy one for a couple of bucks and your problem becomes history.

There is nothing wrong with your equipment.

 

I couldn't find the owner's manual to check about the green ps/2 plug. Yes, Rockster2U, you must be right. The green plug could only be meant for the mouse. I don't remember there being any converted supplied with the keyboard/mouse combo. So, my only choice is to get a usb hub which I will.

Mattman, I have disabled the legacy usb support in the bios (there was no other entry for USB) and it has no effect on the behavior of either the USB port or the ps/2 port.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and help. We can consider this case closed.

 

Or ... have it your way and spend you money on a powered USB hub. Just keep your fingers crossed that its recognized before Windows loads. Legacy support should do this but not all hubs are created equally.

 

All right, I will. Thank you.

 

You got me on that one Rockster, can't say I have seen a machine with a PS/2 mouse connector, but not keyboard connector. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough

 

Mattman, let me clarify: My computer does have a purple ps/2 port. Only the keyboard/mouse combo doesn't have a purple (keyboard) plug. You could only use the green mouse plug. That means that Logitech designed it so that only if the user wants only the wireless mouse part of it, he could just plug into the ps/2 port and if he wants the keyboard and the mouse then he has to use the USB plug.

 

Let me clarify, Mattman: My computer does have a purple ps/2 port. (It stopped working that's why I got this keyboard/mouse combo.) Only the Logitech keyboard/mouse doesn't have a purple ps/2 plug. It only has a green ps/2 plug and a USB port. I guess they designed so that if you only wanted the mouse part of the wireless, you plug in the green ps/2 plug and if you wanted both you would plug into the USB port.

 

You are seeing a double posting above because there has been a problem with posting a reply. Windows can't access the posted page where I could verify the reply. I have written a feed back to windowsbbs. Hopefully, they would correct the problem.

 

or ..................... you would buy a little $2-3 USB/PS2 adapter, slip it on the USB connector and plug it into the purple PS2 port.

 

I see. Thank you. I do have a four-port usb hub which someone has borrowed and will return today. I think I will use that.