I’m losing my mind. This old graphics tablet connects to the PS/2 port on an old PC for power. There’s a separate serial cable for the actual data connection. I want to supply it power without needing to connect it to a PS/2 port, so an adapter for USB would be ideal.

I know others have achieved this but I can’t find the details. Can anyone help? The search results are full of Playstations because it misinterprets the “PS/2” part.

  • half_built_pyramids@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    Usually you can’t just patch USB to ps/2 pins. Others called out voltage might not be the same even if you aren’t using data.

    • Alexstarfire@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      You sure can with keyboard and mouse. Did that in the early days. Pretty sure I tossed that adapter though. Don’t have any ps/2 ports anymore.

    • BearOfaTimeEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      I’ve done it lots with stupid simple adapters for things like KVM, back when PS2 was still around but everything was shifting to USB. These adapters were provided by major KVM vendors at the time.

      Worked fine 99% of the time (occasionally didn’t).

      Now providing power… I’ve never looked at the PS2 spec. OP should check the tablet requirements, make sure it doesn’t exceed what their USB can provide. And verify an adapter maps the power pins appropriately.

      • FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        Thanks. I’m helping someone with this but I’ll get them to send me the manual that came with this to see if I can get more details on the power requirements. From the video I linked in another comment, it seems to work.