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T42 PS2 port

post #1 of 10
12/28/10 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
My wife has a T42 Thinkpad. I want to connect a standard PS/2 keyboard so I can use her T42 while my desktop is being repaired. However, the PS/2 port on the T42 has a slightly different pin-out. The little tab is turned 90 degrees and the pins are arranged in a V shape.

I tried connecting my keyboard to the USB port using a simple PS/2 to USB adapter. No cigar ("usb device not recognized").

The following page about external keyboards on Lenovo's website says a Y splitter is required to use a PS/2 mouse or keyboard with Thinkpad's PS/2 port

http://tinyurl.com/22udovh

I found sources for the Thinkpad PS/ Y-cable, but the male end on the pinout diagram appears to be a regular PS/2 port. In fact, I haven't been able to locate a diagram online of my port. Interestingly, according to the footnotes, the T42 doesn't have a PS/2 port. There's also an image of the Thinkpad PS/2 port in the footnotes, but it looks more like a standard PS/2 port.

So if the T42 doesn't have a PS/2 port, then what the heck is the little round port on the side of my T42? I can post a photo if that will help.
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post #2 of 10
12/28/10 at 4:51pm


You use this special cable? It should work then.

cheers ...
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post #3 of 10
12/28/10 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, I understand that a Y splitter cable is available for thinkpads with PS/2 port. However, the Lenovo page I linked in my OP says the T42 does not have a PS/2 port, and as I said, the round port on my wife's T42 does not match any PS/2 pin-out diagram that I have been able to locate. I don't want to purchase a cable and then find out that it will not fit.

Here's a pin-out diagram I found for the Thinkpad splitter cable. Please note that the computer connector has the same pin configuration as the keyboard and mouse connectors (presumably one or more connectors are reversed internally for compatibility?)

http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/..._Thinkpad%29_Y

The photo you posted does not include a diagram of the connector, but if it's like the diagram linked above, then it definitely will NOT fit the port on my T42. The tab on my T42 port is more rectangular in shape and is turned 90 degrees. However, the outside diameter of the port is identical to a PS/2.
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post #4 of 10
12/28/10 at 5:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ginahoy View Post
Yes, I understand that a Y splitter cable is available for thinkpads with PS/2 port. However, the Lenovo page I linked in my OP says the T42 does not have a PS/2 port, and as I said, the round port on my wife's T42 does not match any PS/2 pin-out diagram that I have been able to locate. I don't want to purchase a cable and then find out that it will not fit.

Here's a pin-out diagram I found for the Thinkpad splitter cable. Please note that the computer connector has the same pin configuration as the keyboard and mouse connectors (presumably one or more connectors are reversed internally for compatibility?)

http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/..._Thinkpad%29_Y

The photo you posted does not include a diagram of the connector, but if it's like the diagram linked above, then it definitely will NOT fit the port on my T42. The tab on my T42 port is more rectangular in shape and is turned 90 degrees. However, the outside diameter of the port is identical to a PS/2.
It's probably the S-Video port on the left side that your wife's system has then. And not all PS/2 to USB adapter work for all notebooks.

cheers ...
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post #5 of 10
12/28/10 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
It's probably the S-Video port on the left side that your wife's system has then. And not all PS/2 to USB adapter work for all notebooks.cheers ...
THANKS! That's it! I was able to confirm by googling S video thinkpad and found a matching photo. It never occurred to me it was a video port.

I also discovered that if a passive USB to PS/2 adapter doesn't work, that a USB to PS/2 signal converter should work. Here's an example: http://tinyurl.com/252n4ro

Do you think this would work?
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post #6 of 10
12/29/10 at 9:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ginahoy View Post
THANKS! That's it! I was able to confirm by googling S video thinkpad and found a matching photo. It never occurred to me it was a video port.

I also discovered that if a passive USB to PS/2 adapter doesn't work, that a USB to PS/2 signal converter should work. Here's an example: http://tinyurl.com/252n4ro

Do you think this would work?
Promising ... at least for $2, it's worth a try.

cheers ...
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post #7 of 10
1/4/11 at 1:31am
Thread Starter 
Well, the USB to PS/2 signal converter arrived (from China, that was fast!) but it doesn't work. I still get the "USB device not recognized" error.

Unless someone else has a suggestion, I'm assuming a docking port would be the only way to use a legacy PS/2 keyboard with this T42?
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post #8 of 10
1/4/11 at 6:18am
Bummer.
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post #9 of 10
1/9/11 at 1:18am
Thread Starter 
The seller agreed to ship a new converter (from China), without requiring me to return the original. Lo and behold, the new one works like a charm. I tried two different PS/2 keyboards (my favorite is a very old Focus 5001 with AT connector adapted to PS/2) and both are fully functional.

I guess quality control on a converter that only costs $2 (including s/h from china) leaves much to be desired.
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post #10 of 10
1/9/11 at 3:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ginahoy View Post
The seller agreed to ship a new converter (from China), without requiring me to return the original. Lo and behold, the new one works like a charm. I tried two different PS/2 keyboards (my favorite is a very old Focus 5001 with AT connector adapted to PS/2) and both are fully functional.

I guess quality control on a converter that only costs $2 (including s/h from china) leaves much to be desired.
It is hard to test zillions of small devices Glad to hear that everything worked out - now, that was a very good after-sales support don't you agree?

cheers ...
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