Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ?

Posted by: andy

Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 12/11/2006 20:42

I killed the keyboard port on my main desktop machine today.

Whoever "designed" my IcyBox external hard disk box decided that it would be a good idea to use a PS/2 plug as the power connector, stupid.

I had never noticed that it used a PS/2 plug and today accidentally plugged it into my keyboard port, stupid.

Clearly the voltages on the hard disk PSU disagreed with the PS/2 port, even though it was only connected for a second or so, as it doesn't work any more.

Unfortunately my preferred keyboard is a PS/2 one, so it looks like I'll be buying a new motherboard

For the moment I'm using my Mac keyboard.
Posted by: lectric

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 12/11/2006 20:52

A PS/2 to USB converter would be MUCH cheaper.
Posted by: CrackersMcCheese

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 12/11/2006 21:02

I've only seen USB -> PS2. Do you get them the other way around?
Posted by: mlord

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 12/11/2006 21:06

Quote:
I've only seen USB -> PS2. Do you get them the other way around?


Yes, they do. Quite commonplace, actually. Most any computer shop around here stocks them.

Cheers
Posted by: andy

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 12/11/2006 21:09

The USB-PS/2 adapter built into my KVM switch introduces a noticable delay in fast typing, so unless there are some faster ones out there I'll be sticking to pure PS/2, which means a new motherboard.

Also, I don't think my BIOS setup screen works with a USB keyboard.
Posted by: mlord

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 12/11/2006 21:12

No delay that I can perceive from this one on my desktop here:



In addition to PS/2 mouse+KB, it also has a 4-port USB 1.1 hub, a printer port, and a serial port.

I don't need it, and it cost only CDN$5. I wonder what the postage to you would be.. ?
Posted by: mlord

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 12/11/2006 21:18

Quote:

Also, I don't think my BIOS setup screen works with a USB keyboard.


Mmm.. enable "Legacy USB support" and test it.. most BIOS from the past 4 years *do* work just fine with USB stuff.

Cheers
Posted by: Ladmo

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 12/11/2006 23:00

I cannot do any thing that requires a keyboard and/or mouse on my system if it cant boot to windows. If I have to go into safe mode or choose the 'boot', I have to remove my KVM from the equation and just usa the ps2 straight to the main box. The only exception being, I can get to the CMOS setup with the kvm attached.
Posted by: andy

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 13/11/2006 06:31

Looks like my BIOS screen does indeed support USB keyboards.

I still need a new motherboard though, it looks like my moment of muppetry also took out my built in sound card, it now cracks and pops like a good'un. Who knows what else could be subtly broken.

I guess I might as well upgrade to a Core 2 Duo while I'm at it...
Posted by: Roger

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 13/11/2006 08:20

Quote:
USB-PS/2 adapter built into my KVM switch introduces a noticable delay in fast typing


The one I have (it's not built into the KVM) doesn't introduce a noticable delay in typing, but it doesn't work in games at all -- holding down the W key to move forward doesn't do anything. Obviously, when attempting to avoid zombies in HL2, this sucks slightly.

I've given up on that, and am now using a Dell USB keyboard that I lifted from work. It's not great, but it'll do.
Posted by: andy

Re: Who is more stupid, me or the hardware designer ? - 13/11/2006 10:59

Quote:

I've given up on that, and am now using a Dell USB keyboard that I lifted from work. It's not great, but it'll do.


I notice that UNICOMP's UK keyboard now comes in USB as well (they only had PS/2 before)...