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13 Posts
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53265
November 28th, 2012 12:00
Dimension E521 & PS2/USB "Y" cable?
I have a dual-boot (WinXP/Linux) Dimension E521 that I am trying to hook up via a KVM switch in parallel with a Dimension 2400. The 2400 and my keyboard, mouse and KVM switch are all PS2. The E521 has no PS2 but uses only USB for mouse and keyboard. I purchased a Gear Head CA2150 PS/2 to USB adapter and attached it per instructions. The "mouse" is a Logitech trackball and the keyboard is a Microsoft ergonomic "Natural".
The keyboard works perfectly in BIOS Setup. Mouse and keyboard both work perfectly booting into Linux. Neither works in WinXP. WinXP detected a PS2/USB adapter and has a "Unidentified USB device" in the device listing. The system can't resolve this unidentified device.
I've searched the forum for this topic and although it comes up frequently, everyone says it's just supposed to work. Unfortunately, it doesn't, at least not in my case.
Any suggestions. Replacing the keyboard, mouse and KVM switch is not a practical solution.
speedstep
11 Legend
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47K Posts
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November 28th, 2012 13:00
Don't know if this is the right one for the
Manufacturer: Dell
Part Number: YY838 0YY838 CN-0YY838 E521 Motherboard
Most Dells have an adapter like this.
You should ask Chris or Someone in Dell Engineering.
Dell Part# : 330-2493
Part Number G257D/ 0G257D compatible with the following Dell Models:
OptiPlex 320 Desktop, OptiPlex 320 Mini-Tower, OptiPlex 740 Desktop, OptiPlex 745, OptiPlex 745 Desktop, OptiPlex GX520, OptiPlex GX620
Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Service Manual - Documentation
I am NOT dell engineering so I do NOT know the exact part number.
DRNewcomb
13 Posts
0
November 28th, 2012 18:00
At about $18 it probably would have saved me some headaches to have ordered this in the first place rather than the Y cable I have. It also seems to provide the serial (RS232) port that's missing from the E521.
DRNewcomb
13 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 16:00
Just to close the loop on this thread, I ordered the card above, after confirming online with Dell Spare Parts that it fit the E521. It didn't fit. The connector is different than what is on my motherboard. To their credit, Dell credited me the cost of the adapter. There did not seem to be a PS/2 RS232 adapter for the E521, so I ordered the TrendNet PS/2-USB "Y" cable that Dell sells. On the 2nd reboot Windows recognized the PS/2 mouse and keyboard. Now, both Linux and WIndows (and the BIOS setup) work with the PS/2 mouse and keyboard.