External Keyboard not working...

Hello everybody. I currently own a inspiron 9300 and wish to attach my old Compaq keyboard to the laptop. Since the keyboard has a ps/2 connection, I had to use a ps/2 to usb converter to plug it in my laptop. It goes through the usual routine of detecting the device and saying in a little bubble on the corner, your device is ready to use. But then in another bubble, it says "One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."
The keyboard works on my other computer when i use the ps/2 connection. I'm pretty sure there aren't any drivers for this keyboard as it is old. Is there any way to fix this? Do ps/2 to usb converters work with keyboard when attached to laptops in general? Thanks for reading.

 

hmm...i tried with two different kinds of keyboard and it worked for me. i used a logitech usb keyboard and a regular ps2 with a usb adapter.

try reinstalling the keyboard again.

 

Thanks for trying azntiger. I have tried the connection on all my usb ports and nothing still works. I have also tried my converter on another computer by plugging in the keyboard through the converter and into the desktop's usb slot. Doesn't work. So i think that it is the converter that I got. It is a green one from frys for only $5.00. Maybe thats the problem

 

hmm....i doubt that it the problem cuz you actually recognizes the keyboard. do you have another ps/2 keyboard? try with that to see if its the adapter or just the keyboards.

 

hmm... i took your advice and tried the converter on my brother's emachines computer. Still says that the device "malfunctioned" when I connected the keyboard. I guess it might be the converter. Thanks for your help azntiger. Do you know of any good ps/2 to usb converter that is good quality but also not very pricey?

 

PS/2->USB converters have always been problematic. Just try 'em out until you find one that works. Or get a USB keyboard.

Nowadays I only buy keyboards/mice that come with USB/PS2 combo, i.e. they are USB and have a USB->PS/2 converter. Because the converter comes with the device and has been designed for it, it's guaranteed to work (and if it doesn't, you get your money back...)

 

hmm thats true. i think i would just rather get a keyboard that has a default usb plug right on it and instead of going through all the adapters.

 

After returning the adapter and getting a new one, it still doesn't work. It still gets the same error message. So finally I have decided to look for a very cheap usb keyboard. Thanks for all the feedback.

 

yea i think that is the best way. i barely hear things that have ps/2 convert to usb. its usually visa versa