Warning about the PS2 to USB converters

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10-09-2008, 07:33 PM
Ziran

Warning about the PS2 to USB converters

They are definitely NOT all the same.

Basically I bought the new vetra switchcaster (the one with capability to multicast ps2 mouse).

I connected up my new setup (using the ps2 to usb and usb hubs) and during testing it immediately became obvious that mouse broadcasting sucked (I would reset the mouse in corner, then move it around for a few seconds, then aim it at a specific spot on desktop and each computer's mouse pointer would be off by as much as half a screen).

Now I used the USB multicaster to multiplex the mouse before and that was pixel perfect (i.e. reset in corner, move mouse around as long as i want, then aim it at specific spot and all 4 computers would be perfect to a pixel). I then connected the output of the switchcaster directly to ps2 computer ports (instead of going via usb) and voila the problem totally fixed itself. My new switchcaster was now pixel perfect on mouse (All my computers have the mouse speed set to max and the enhance precision on)

Now previously I bought 6 PS2 to USB converters from monoprice:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

A few months later when I decided this was a good device (and I was switching to USB hubs) I bought a bunch more of the EXACT same product id.

The funny thing is that while they were both the same product (same id) same picture etc, the second batch that arrived was different. One important difference was the the first batch could support TWO keyboards, while the second batch was strictly one keyboard, one mice.

The picture on monoprice website is actually still that of the first batch (the "good" ones). Here is a better picture the good ones look identical to this (notice longer usb connector and a "wide" body):

http://www.amazon.com/Hawking-HU2PS2...593052&sr=1-20

The second batch looks identical to this (notice shorter usb connector and a wide narrow body). The only difference is that the ps2 connectors are colored.

http://www.amazon.com/USB-PS2-Adapte...593052&sr=1-21

I actually have both of them in hand and all the fine plastic mold details are identical to the two pictures above. The second batch is made by BYTECC (stay away !). I unfortunately do not have any packaging from the first batch and there is no brand label on them of any kind.

Now comes the real kicker:

I noticed that my multiplexed PS2 mouse was connected to USB via the second batch (the "bad" ones).
I switched it around and connected it to USB via the first batch of conveters (the "good" ones) and voila. All sync problems disappeared. I could now torture my trackball as much as I wanted and all 5 computers would remain 100% in sync. Pixel perfect.

So the moral of the story is that some of the PS2 to USB converters suck so buyer beware (this is alot harder to detect but I suspect the "bad" ones can also occasionally drop a key which can be a problem if it is a shift/alt/control release).

I am going to try this (more expensive) monoprice model and if they are good I will stock up (I will update this post once I receive it):

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

If that fails I guess I will buy the ones that look identical to "good" ones from amazon but they charge 3x the price so no rush there.

Ziran

PS: Yes when you find something you like IMMEDIATELY stock up because as soon as you find it they will stop making it
PPS: This is not my quote but rather some onery 19th century financier (still true today).
10-09-2008, 07:51 PM
Xzin

The "more expensive ones" http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 are the ones I use. They work great.

More expensive being $0.60 or so more. Really not that bad.
10-09-2008, 08:00 PM
Ziran

Thanks for info I will just get a bunch of the [AW] ones. Do you know if they support two ps2 keyboards or is it just one keyboard one mice (not a deal breaker just saves some USB ports on hub)

Ziran
10-09-2008, 09:01 PM
Xzin

One mouse one keyboard. I had one out of the 10 I bought go bad but for the price, it wasn't too bad. Beats Y-Mice.
10-11-2008, 10:32 AM
eagleeyee

Well I was getting ready to order Y mice today looks like you saved me a bunch of money lol. I will put the extra savings into getting more of these ones here. probably get 8x$4.00=$32.00. One 1 mouse is like $50.00

**Never mind this won't work for me :( since I am still strickly serial and no usb. But I am only Tripple boxing it. **
10-16-2008, 05:15 PM
Ziran

Ok my order of 20 [AW] converters has arrived (STOCK UP heh !):

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

And they do indeed work well. They are pixel perfect. You also CAN connect two PS2 keyboards (or presumably two PS2 mice) per device. I tried it and it works just fine (i.e. connect PS2 keyboard to both mice and keyboard inputs).

Ziran

PS: Eagleeyee there is no need to be "strictly serial" unless your computers have not even one USB port which would be unusual.
10-16-2008, 11:13 PM
Xzin

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Ziran',index.php?page=Thread&postID=134874#post13 4874

I tried it and it works just fine (i.e. connect PS2 keyboard to both mice and keyboard inputs).

Yeah? Nice. I never tested that (never needed to). I guess despite the coloring, they are just two PS/2 ports. Which kind of makes sense although if you tried that on a native PS/2 connection (on the motherboard) it would not work.
10-17-2008, 04:16 AM
Ziran

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Xzin',index.php?page=Thread&postID=134965#post134 965

Yeah? Nice. I never tested that (never needed to). I guess despite the coloring, they are just two PS/2 ports. Which kind of makes sense although if you tried that on a native PS/2 connection (on the motherboard) it would not work.

Actually that depends. Some motherboards I had you could plug in a PS2 keyboard in either port and some would just take it in the "official" keyboard port. I found that out by accident one day. But it varies from motherboard to motherboard and is usually not advertised.

As for the converter [AW] model I found a small problem where it does not reliably transmit back the LED status for numlock/scroll lock/capslock etc. It does send in the key press but does not always pass back the LED status to keyboard. It is largely a "cosmetic" problem and I think I have this fixed with registry edits that always force numlock on at boot (since windows XP is flaky about using BIOS CMOS bootup setting).

I am semi paranoid about this as I had a few wipes after starting out because the numlock on my healer was off and instead of healing the toon was running around in circles ;)

Ziran
10-18-2008, 07:28 AM
eagleeyee

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Ziran',index.php?page=Thread&postID=134874#post13 4874

Ok my order of 20 [AW] converters has arrived (STOCK UP heh !):

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

And they do indeed work well. They are pixel perfect. You also CAN connect two PS2 keyboards (or presumably two PS2 mice) per device. I tried it and it works just fine (i.e. connect PS2 keyboard to both mice and keyboard inputs).

Ziran

PS: Eagleeyee there is no need to be "strictly serial" unless your computers have not even one USB port which would be unusual.

ok thanks for the heads up and testing. too bad I didn't check sooner I already bought 1 y mouse. Ordering asap though for future use. :) I need more ps2 cables anyway for future use.