problem with model m keyboard at work

[mtien]

i'm using a model m keyboard at work that's connected to the computer via an adapter. while it works almost perfectly at home with a self-built desktop, save some infrequent freezes, at work it's been a complete nightmare.
it's connected to a dell desktop and oftentimes, the computer would not recognize the keyboard, so that i'd have to replug the adapter multiple times. at times, i had to resort to rebooting the computer. one interesting thing that i noticed is that sometimes when i replug the adapter, the keyboard would work, but the mouse would freeze, forcing me to replug the mouse.
is it just the dell at work that's not providing enough juice to the the usb port? what gives?
below is a pic of a similar adapter that i'm currently using:

[mtien]

hmm. the image is not showing.
here is the link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-USB-to-2-PS ... 4ab92bd4c7

[fossala]

Are you plugging it straight into the motherboard? Sometimes the USB sockets on the front/side of pc's don't provide enough power.

[fossala]

People have no problems when using this ps/2 converter http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cf ... /id/124184

[Soarer]

A lot of PS/2 to USB converters are, well, a bit flaky! The 'blue cube' that fossala linked to is known to work well with a Model M, and there's a couple of sellers on Amazon UK with them. (I just tagged one with 'bluecube' - who tagged the other? ).

[Grond]

I had bad experiences with converters, and even my bluecube broke after little use! If your model M has a detachable cable and you're not using ps/2, I suggest you the sdl to usb cable with built in converter. This is pricier than a new cable + converter, but works fine for me.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-to-SDL-6-Pi ... 2146wt_956

[mintberryminuscrunch]

A lot of PS/2 to USB converters are, well, a bit flaky! The 'blue cube' that fossala linked to is known to work well with a Model M, and there's a couple of sellers on Amazon UK with them. (I just tagged one with 'bluecube' - who tagged the other? ).

+1
Sounds like a converter issue

[mtien]

thanks for all the replies. fosolla, i've tried the front and rear usb ports to no avail.
also thanks to grond's suggestion and link to the ps2 to usb cable. but i think i'm going to explore another adapter (made by adesso, i believe) that i purchased at amazon but never used, before giving it up altogether.
it's just odd that while it works almost perfectly at home it would wreak such havoc at the computer at work. i'm narrowing it down to a) usb port not providing enough juice b) flaky adapter c) operating system (work=xp, home=windows 7).
i've heard that model m draws hella lot power vs regular keyboard, almost 10 times as much?
perhaps i should plug it to a usb hub draws power from ac adapter?

[mtien]

just tried the keyboard at home again. i noticed that when i plugged it in, windows 7 was actively looking the the latest drivers for ps2 to usb hub. actually, it was checking for 3 separate drivers and they were all installed.
again, with my home computer, it's plug and play. no muss, no fuss. currently, it's plugged to the usb hub that draws power from ac adapter, but i've plugged it to the rear usb port before and no issues.
i'm starting to think perhaps it's the driver issue at work where no software installation is allowed and internet access is disabled save few stations where supervisors sit.

[Soarer]

Even though it looks for drivers, it's only looking for ones that are in the standard Windows installs (both XP and Win7).

It could be a power thing, but I don't think it's very likely. The M draws (very roughly) 100mA, which is the maximum a USB port is supposed to use initially. A USB device can ask for more, up to 500mA, but it should start up at less than 100mA to be fully 'in spec'. But... I say it's unlikely because it seems that no OS actually enforces that limit!

One thing I would say is that the disconnects ('infrequent freezes') you sometimes get on XP are sadly quite common with converters, but they do not happen with a good one!

[mtien]

i bought the blue cube and the keyboard still act very erratic with it. actually, it's not so much the keyboard as it won't work nicely with the mouse. the mouse would freeze and i'd have to reboot several times before both finally decided to work together.