▷ Ps / 2 what is it, what is it for and what are its uses

All current motherboards include a connection called PS / 2, the oldest will have no problem knowing what its function is, but it is very possible that the new generations do not know what this port is used for, or rather, it was used in a not so distant past. In this article we explain what the PS / 2 port is, what is its function, and what are the differences with the interface par excellence today, the USB port.

Index of contents

What is the PS / 2 port that we can find on PC motherboards

PS / 2 is a standard type of connection, although now practically in disuse, that is used to connect keyboards, mice and other input devices to a computer. In general, the term refers to both types of cables, ports, ports, and other connectors used with these types of keyboards and mice.

The PS / 2 ports are round and have a 6-pin configuration inside. In most cases, the purple PS / 2 ports are intended for use by keyboards, while the green PS / 2 ports are intended for use by mice. The PS / 2 standard has been completely superseded by the much faster and more flexible USB standard on consumer machines. PS / 2 was officially declared as a legacy port in 2000, paving the way for full USB acquisition.

Is there any use for PS / 2 more?

For the most part, no, PS / 2 is really gone. There are practically no PS / 2 devices on the market, perhaps you can find a second hand mouse or keyboard, but little more than that. Current computers and their peripherals migrated to USB at approximately the same time that PS / 2 was declared a legacy port.

However, there was a time during the transition where you could have bought a new PC that only had USB ports, but wanted to use your reliable PS / 2-based keyboard and mouse. In those situations, a PS / 2 to USB converter can come in handy, and it may be one reason why you will still find the PS / 2 port on current motherboards. PS / 2 tends to work better than USB in a switching environment, where a keyboard, mouse, and monitor operate a number of different computers. This type of configuration is common in older data centers.

Remote access software is now more commonly used in business and enterprise environments, allowing anyone with access to connect to an unlimited number of other computers remotely, eliminating the need for PS / 2 switching devices.

Do PS / 2 to USB converters work?

PS / 2 to USB converters, like the one shown in this article, provide a way to connect older PS / 2-based devices to a PC that only supports USB. Unfortunately, these converter cables are notoriously flawed and often only support certain types of PS / 2 keyboard and mouse. This is a minor problem as time goes by and these minor products are removed from the market, but it is something to be aware of when buying. Like all PC hardware, if you're looking for a PS / 2 to USB converter, do some research and read product reviews. Without a doubt, a highly qualified converter will do the job.

What to do when a PC is locked with a PS / 2 keyboard or mouse?

There are many reasons why a PC can crash, sometimes called freezing, but when you know it's just the keyboard or mouse, and they're PS / 2 based devices, the solution is usually pretty simple. This usually happens when a PS / 2-based mouse or keyboard is released enough to lose connection to the PC. Unfortunately, simply pushing the PS / 2 port into the connector again is not enough. Unlike the new USB standard, PS / 2 is not hot-swappable, which means you can't unplug and re-plug a PS / 2 device and expect it to work. The PC must be restarted once a firm connection is re-established.

We recommend reading the following articles:

Best PC Keyboards (Mechanical, Membrane & Wireless) Best PC Mice: Gaming, Wireless & Cheapest Cherry MX Switch Guide

This concludes our special article on what the motherboard PS / 2 port is, surely many of our readers have never had to resort to using this already obsolete port. Remember that you can share this article with your friends on social networks, that way you will help it reach more users who need it. What memories does the PS / 2 port bring you?

Computerhopelifewire font

Intel uses its 22 nm to increase its manufacturing capacity

It is no secret that Intel has not been doing very well lately, delaying its manufacturing process at 10nm has put the capacity of the Intel in check. Reports are appearing that Intel will move some of its chipsets to the 22nm node to free up capacity. production at 14 nm.