USB keyboard Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Can I replace an old PS/2 keyboard with a USB keyboard?

Posted on January 15, 2022

Question from Angie: I have an older Dell desktop computer that came with Windows but was long ago converted into an Unbuntu Linux machine.

I love this computer dearly and I don’t want to replace it with a new one until I absolutely have to.

The problem is I think that time might have come because the keyboard has a couple of essential keys (Backspace and Space Bar) that have stopped working.

I’ve checked at Walmart, Best Buy and Office Depot, but the only keyboards they sell connect to a USB port instead of the old-style PS/2 connector used by my existing keyboard. Will a USB keyboard work with this computer or am I simply out of luck? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I use an Acer keyboard with my Android tablet?

Posted on August 21, 2014

Question from R. Saravanan: I’m using an Acer keyboard that’s connected to my PC which is running Windows 7.

Can this keyboard be used as an external keyboard with a tablet running version 4.0.4 of the Android O.S.?

Rick’s answer: My short answer to your question is “probably”. Now, I’ll take a moment to expand on that… [Read more…]

Q&A: Why won’t my new USB keyboard work until after Windows loads?

Posted on May 1, 2014

Question from Aaron T.: I have an older Dell desktop computer and the PS/2 keyboard that I dearly love finally bit the dust.

I went out to buy a replacement keyboard, but I couldn’t find one that plugs into the PS/2 keyboard connector. I ended up buying a USB keyboard instead because that’s all I could find.

The new keyboard works great, but ONLY after Windows finished loading. But sometimes I need to use the keyboard while the machine is booting up. Is there any way to fix this?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]