Looking to bring back an old setup - tm-486sps mobo.
Looking to bring back an old setup - tm-486sps mobo.
Here is an odd one! I have a very old pc TM-486SPS mo bo based pc that I would like to revive. I've connected it and it seems to work. the problem is that I don't have a keyboard - it has to be with a 5 pin din plug, which as you well know, no longer exists. the mouse should connect by a 9 pin d type connector to the com port. so, here comes the odd question - is there a way to connect usb type keyboard and mouse to it? are there any ready adaptors or is there a way to make some sort of modification in order to connect them?
there is a method to link a USB type keyboard and mouse, but you’ll need to create a custom solution for your needs. No universal adaptors currently exist that match this situation. For example, the CME U2MIDI Pro offers a USB to MIDI cable with routing and filtering features, along with free software tools. You can search for USB to MIDI adapters online, but you’ll likely need a female USB port for the keyboard and male MIDI ports for the motherboard. This approach could be useful: https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com...ard-to-usb. Additional guidance is available at https://reddit.com/r/modular/comments/r3...midi_only/.
MIDI is simply an audio standard.
1x
AT Keyboard
1x
Floppy interface
2x
IDE interface
1x
Parallel
2x
Serial
You’ll likely discover used AT and PS/2 keyboards. Serial mice are less common, but USB adapters should be easy to use. Still, it remains mostly serial.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185830749264
Once you’ve invested in building adapters or buying them, you can easily get a keyboard at your doorstep.
There are such things available, though they aren't always inexpensive.
I enjoy retro gaming and own multiple older computers that I've restored or rebuilt. This purchase was intended to simplify the process greatly.
https://github.com/dekuNukem/USB4VC
It enables compatibility with any USB keyboard, mouse, or gamepad on devices supporting PS2, AT, XT, DB9 serial (also yours), and DB15 ports.
The setup isn't cheap—you'll need a Pi plus a power bar—and assembling it yourself—but it has worked exceptionally well for me.
I've converted my USB keyboard, mouse, and gamepad to PS/2 and DB15 ports.
This setup allows connecting an AT to either PS/2 or PS/2 to USB, but not the reverse. He aims to use contemporary devices with an older system. Switching direction is more complicated, though options exist.
Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/204036492056
Price isn't very reasonable (not a strong recommendation).
I personally prefer originals; I still own some serial mice and several AT keyboards.
The keyboard wiring problem is fairly straightforward. Regardless of the connector system used, the setup remains consistent. Using two adapters can work if the cable provides a USB2 male end connected to a 6-pin PS/2 male, then to a 5-pin DIN male that fits into your motherboard's 5-pin DIN female port.
https://www.amazon.ca/uxcell-Mouse-Adapt...,78&sr=8-9
https://www.amazon.ca/Kentek-Female-Keyb...pin+Serial
I wasn’t able to locate a suitable adapter for linking a male USB2 mouse cable connector to a male (with recessed pins) 9-pin D-Serial port. The key point is that the adapter often requires an internal chip to translate between USB2 and the 9-pin Serial signal. I found several options marketed for 9-pin serial devices connecting to a modern USB2 port on the motherboard, but it’s uncertain if they can reverse the process. Additionally, these adapters must be paired with a female USB2 port for the mouse input, which adds another layer of complexity.
Why not employ a PCI-based USB expansion card in one of the PCI slots?
For instance: https://www.newegg.com/p/2S7-09HH-00WR5
OOPS!
I did find a pcie to pci adapter card that would allow a conventional pcie adapter card:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971313380...pG...R-i6kP3rZQ
A bit of a kluge though.