Help Quickly If You Can

[jennyjoan]

As you know I loathe this keyboard - the one that came with the new 8.1 computer. I am just after buying a new converter so that I can connect with the old/fashioned keyboard which I just love. However, done all that I need ,to know - just screw in new converter- insert into relevant slot but keyboard is not working - I am actually writing to you back on this 8.1 computer. I know I should do be doing something so I just shut the whole system down but to no avail - keyboard is still not working. Any help please.

[Buenchico]

Assuming that you're using a wired USB keyboard all you should need to do is to plug it into a USB port. You might then need to wait a minute or two while Windows looks for, and installs, the necessary driver. Then it should work normally.

If you're using a wireless keyboard you'll probably need to 'pair up' the keyboard and its USB receiver (which is usually done by pressing a button on the keyboard somewhere).

[jennyjoan]

had to think re your answer - no my answer is wired keyboard - now what

[jennyjoan]

chico - I did wait for minutes earlier while I dibbled and dabbled. but I will try again. Give it a few more minutes.

[Fitzer]

What sort of a converter was it it rather sounds as if you might be plugging something non-standard in?

[jennyjoan]

lost the bloodey thing.

[jennyjoan]

it was £10 - and I know you can get them on amazon for 1.99 - anyway what the hell - it is a port to fit a round little hole to go into the little square hole. bad explainer I am - there is a letter M on it too.

[jennyjoan]

bought it from maplins -

[jennyjoan]

i recall this happening before but of course many years ago and the oul brain is like cement now.

[mccfluff]

you bought something like this?

http://www.misco.co.uk/product/173097/StarTech-com-Replacement-PS-2-Keyboard-to-USB-Adapter-F-M-PS-2-to-USB

[Buenchico]

It sounds like you're either using one of these
http://www.yescustomer.com/image_manager/attributes/image/image_47/1097252419_4240099461_full.jpg
(which lets you plug an old-fashioned PS/2 keyboard into a USB port)

or one of these
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/USB_to_PS2_mouse_adapter.jpg
(which lets you plug a modern USB keyboard into an old-fashioned PS/2 socket).

If it's the former (and your keyboard isn't recognised by Windows) you might not be able to use your keyboard unless there's actually a PS/2 port on your new computer. (Many new computers no longer have them but some still do). If so, simply remove the adapter and plug your keyboard into the PS/2 port. (It's probably coloured purple).

If it's the latter then all you should need to do is to ditch the adapter and plug the keyboard into any available USB port.

[jennyjoan]

hi Chris was lying down a while - but your are right all the descriptors fit exactly whatI bought - I couldn't stick the keyboard all along so couldn't wait to buy the cheaper version.

[jennyjoan]

If it's the latter then all you should need to do is to ditch the adapter and plug the keyboard into any available USB port.


I dont know what you mean - in a way have I spent £10 in vain. too I do think I know what yu men sticking the daptor in the purple but it won't go in

[Buenchico]

I'm still confused, Conne.

Without the adapter, what's on the end of your keyboard's lead. Is it one of these?
http://stockarch.com/files/imagecache/Preview/11/04/computer_keyboard_connector.jpg

. . . or one of these?
http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/m/images/2/29/usb_plug.jpg

[jennyjoan]

well your first link was right for that side and the second link was right for the other side that is it .

[jennyjoan]

i am think Chris that I can get it in pushed enough right to the extreme end to not little strength to me - when somebody comes along I will get them to try that but thanks for all your help.

[Buenchico]

As I read that, you've got this on the end of the lead:
http://stockarch.com/files/imagecache/Preview/11/04/computer_keyboard_connector.jpg

Then, if you've got this on your computer
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/ps2.jpg
you should simply be able to plug the lead directly into the purple socket. (I'd expect it to work straight away but you might need to restart your computer first). Note that it's easy to get the plug the wrong way round though; it can be quite a fiddly job getting it to fit!

[jennyjoan]

Well to up date you Chris - tried it on a another computer exactly as the one I was trying. My friend gave me this one out of work so it was working perfectly in work.

Brought the usb thing back and with great difficulty he tried to get it going but couldn't - gave me another one and it wouldn't work either - he said both my computers were broke but I know they are not.

Having said the above I had been trying to put the adaptors into back of the large drive and now the sorry things have gone back to the shop - there are little square holes at the front of the large drive that I could have tried - maybe even getting a cheaper one on the amason see wht the computer does.

The reason is this keyboard is not feasible is I am typijng a book up for my friend who has cancer and she was typinjg the book but can't do it it no more so I said I would try and finish it for her.

Next time I will try the front of the drive - thanks again Chris for your help.

[jennyjoan]

^^^^^ when I said computers I mean keyboards.