Wacky keyboard problem

[beaky]

This one may be a little confusing, so... just the facts, in order:

-Current setup uses ancient ratty Dell PS/2 keyboard through Iogear KVM switch to control both computers.

-Purchased slightly better Microsoft USB keyboard (it was on sale) and plugged it into the USB port on each computer in turn, to test.
-New keyboard worked fine; all functions OK.

-Plugged new keyboard into KVM switch via aUSB-to-PS/2 adapter.
-New keyboard no workie.

-Suspecting adapter, tried it with super-cheap little Zippy USB keyboard (which will go in simpit).
-Zippy keyboard works just fine with adapter.

-Suspecting new keyboard had just died, tried it again directly in USB ports of each computer.
-No problem; worked great.

What the heck is going on here, I wonder?

BTW, no drivers came with this thing...

Maybe if I scratch the Microsoft logo off it it'll work?

[Brett_Henderson]

This is just a guess, but maybe the keyboard needs power. I have a USB hub, with a power adapter, which is "kind of" optional (joystick works fine via the hub with no power, but devices that get their power by USB do not work unless the power is plugged into the hub)...

Maybe your switch doen't let the power get to the keyboard ?

Does the USB keyboard work when connected straight to one computer using the USB/Ps2 adapter, into the "normal" Ps2 keyboard socket ?

[beaky]

This is just a guess, but maybe the keyboard needs power. I have a USB hub, with a power adapter, which is "kind of" optional (joystick works fine via the hub with no power, but devices that get their power by USB do not work unless the power is plugged into the hub)...

Maybe your switch doen't let the power get to the keyboard ?

Does the USB keyboard work when connected straight to one computer using the USB/Ps2 adapter, into the "normal" Ps2 keyboard socket ?

Well, the Zippy needs power too- it has an illuminated pad, etc...
and it works fine in the PS/2 port of both machines via the adapter (just tried that; thanks), as well as thru the KVM.

The Microsoft keyboard, naturally, does not. Only powers up thru the USB ports.

Terrific.