PS-2 keyboard with PS-2 to USB Adapter

I have a new R4000 Compaq laptop. No PS-2 plugin for external keyboard. I had a couple of keyboards with PS-2 plugs. I bought an adapter plug into a USB port but keyboard won't work. Message say a USB device is malfunctioning. Is the keyboard bad or will I have to buy a USB keyboard. Manual is no help.

 

Do other things work in your USB ports? If not, it's the USB ports. Otherwise, try the adapter in a different PC. The adapter might be faulty, which is very possible.

 

Most simple PS2-USB connectors as might come with some keyboards/mice depend on special circuitry within the keyboard to recognize what is being connected to and make the shift (the input devices themselves have the sensing/conversion circuitry inside) - IOW those simple adapters are NOT generic, they may work only on the brand they originally came with. Some places sell them as "infinite profit items". Those places ought to be nuked!!!
. But there are generic ones that can be bought from places like http://www,geeks.com for well under $10. (I got mine for $5. on one of their "Green Light" specials. These have the electronics that do the conversion for the keyboard (and a PS/2 mouse too, if needed) and should work OK for you. Yup, it's $6.95 there now.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=A-USB2PS2&cat=CBL

And you can find them all over at diff prices.

I hope you didn't damage your kbd or USB port with that adapter.

.bh.