My ubuntu linux computer just died, and I just purchased a gigabyte 990FXA-UD7 motherboard, AMD 8150FX CPU, 3TB seagate HDD, 2133MHz DDR3 memory and other minor goodies to rebuild the system.

I have this computer and another computer connected to one PS/2 keyboard and one PS/2 mouse through a 4-port KDM (with PS/2 for both keyboard and mouse). With this setup I can switch the keyboard and mouse from one computer to the other with a couple keystrokes (or 3 presses on a button on the KDM).

But my new 990FXA-UD7 motherboard has only one "combo" PS/2 connector that is half green and half violet (indicating it handles both keyboard and mouse).

My question is... can I connect both keyboard and mouse PS/2 cables to this one PS/2 connector on the motherboard via some kind of PS/2 splitter cable or something? If not, what's up with having only one PS/2 connector? Up to a year or two ago I say motherboards with either zero or two PS/2 connectors, but never just one "combo".

Unfortunately, nothing in the motherboard manuals says anything about this issue. What's up, and what's the easiest way to deal with this issue so I can still switch with the KDM?

Not uncommon at all. I've had several computers with one connector.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-pla-_-NA-_-NA

Thanks much for the link. Are you saying you have these, and they let you connect one PS/2 keyboard and one PS/2 mouse to a single PS/2 connector on your motherboard? I ask because all 3 reviews of this cable say it doesn't work. Apparently their computers only recognize one of the two.

Please tell me what are the motherboards you have this configuration working on.

Also, have you tried moving the mouse at the same time you're typing on the keyboard to make sure they don't interfere with each other in this unusual case. While I don't often manipulate both at the same time very often, it does happen.

Thanks.

So how many usb ports?

I guess I don't understand your question. My motherboard has boatloads of USB2 and USB3 ports.

But:

My keyboard is PS/2.
My mouse is PS/2.
My KDM is PS/2.

only posted as an example but no I didn't read the reviews.
A lunch box portable and a rack mount. It has been so many years ago I do not remember any details. The computer connector has the necessary pins for both keyboard and mouse.

I didn't have any problems using both at the same time.

get a ps2 to usb adapter

This looks like the correct cable.
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...=920&sku=08017

Okay, so I went to frys and got one. It clearly states it is for connecting a PS/2 keyboard or mouse to a USB port. However, when I connect the PS/2 cable into this adapter, then plug the USB end into the computer... the mouse doesn't work.

However, if I plug the mouse directly into the exact same USB port on the computer, the mouse does work. But then, of course, it isn't going through the KDM anymore, so I can't switch the mouse back and forth.

I wonder whether there's something funky about going from USB to PS/2 and back to USB again. That's what happens, because the mouse is native USB, but it came with a USB to PS/2 adapter which I need so I can plug it into my KDM.

Thus the "whole trip" from mouse to computer is:

USB mouse connects to...
USB to PS/2 adapter, which connects to...
KDM PS/2 input, which routes signals to...
KDM PS/2 output, which connects to...
PS/2 cable, which connects to...
PS/2 to USB adapter, which connects to...
USB port on computer.

That doesn't work, but directly connecting the mouse into the USB port on the computer does work. Of course the other long path to the other computer does work. That path is the same except it lacks the PS/2 to USB converter (since that computer has two PS/2 ports).

Sigh.

Maybe I need to buy a second mouse for the ubuntu side. What a pain.

Did you try the adapter on the keyboard side?

Is there info on the KVM about adapters?