this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2025
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Hi there !

I need to make use of an old keyboard with a 5 pin din connector, seems to have both AT and PC protocols, do you think it is possible to use a din to ps2 adapter then one of the available ps2 to usb ?

If so, any recommendations ?

Thanks !

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago) (1 children)

Yes, it's fine. The mini-DIN PS/2 keyboard interface is electrically identical to the 5-pin DIN AT keyboard interface, so your results will be the same as if the keyboard had its own PS/2 connector.

PS/2-to-USB keyboard adapters vary widely in their behavior, regardless of whether an AT adapter is in play. I suggest looking for models with reviews confirming that they support n-key rollover and BIOS setup screens.

A Soarer's Converter is another option. These are more advanced AT-to-USB keyboard adapters, supporting programmable features like macros and layers. They were designed for an electronics hobbyist to build, but sometimes turn up pre-built in various places online.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=17458.0

https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=2510

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

A bigger question is will anything be damaged if you try it?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago

I don't think you can damage anything by doing that - maybe you'd run into problems if the keyboard needs more current than the USB port can provide, but even then the keyboard just wouldn't do anything

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago

I need to buy the adapters and well... want to check before buying :D