On the desktop computer both the keyboard and mouse were USB. I bought two USB - to - PS2 converters. The USB keyboard works very nicely but the mouse is not working when connected to PS2. Only works well when connected to USB.

I did search for shopping sites for a minute and it did appear to me that most mice were USB nowadays.

I feel hardware manufacturers wanted to produce mice compatible with both desktops and laptops.

They want to produce devices that anybody can use. USB is available on all computers whether it is server, desktop, or laptop. OTOH, ps2 is not available on most newer machines and definitely not on laptops. Even on desktops that have ps2 it is only one port.

I have not seen a ps2 keyboard or mouse in a store for years.

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Motherboards with no PS/2 ports seem to be trying to come back. Intel well over a decade ago wanted PS/2 ports gone, shipped a lot of boards without any, while other motherboard makers resisted omission to varying degrees. PS/2 to USB converters were iffy back then. Some would work only with some motherboards, some only with keyboards or mice but not both. I wouldn't expect them to be any better now. Boards with only one PS/2 port seem to have become the norm in the interim, IMO because people using good old keyboards want to keep them when their PC is replaced. I won't buy a PC or motherboard with no PS/2 ports, but I only use them for keyboards, not pointing devices. My two best keyboards were made more than 25 years ago with 5-pin DIN connectors, before USB and PS/2 were ubiquitous. I use them with 5-pin DIN to PS/2 converters. I haven't seen anything that could conceivably replace my keyboards for well over a decade, except used on rare occasions on eBay at insane prices.

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I’ve not had much luck with USB to PS2 converters, to the point that when I upgraded my KVM switch I chose a model that had two types of cables. One uses PS2, the other USB. It even has cabling on the console side to support either connection.

The docking station for my laptop wants PS2. As stated, newer ‘puters don’t support PS2 at all. The locally-owned computer shop here still stocks a limited selection of PS2 peripherals, but I agree that most chain stores probably don’t.

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Same here.

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USB = Universal Serial Bus

That's why most peripherals use it nowadays.

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Actual motherboards, also for workstations by bigger vendors still have a PS/2. I am right now using a PS/2-keyboard on a board with a AMD x570 chipset. For mice I don't think that there are lot of devices sold nowadays.

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High-end gaming keyboards still use PS/2 — something to do with roll-over, I believe.

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I've been using wireless keyboards and mice for many years. Wires are so 20th Century. The receiver is a USB device. I have some PS/2 devices stuck in drawers, but I can't find anything to use them on. I have no computers with PS/2 ports, and haven't had any for more than a decade. I don't miss them at all.

Wired keyboards and mice, USB or not, are more environment friendly because they use less power and do not require batteries

And wired keyboards and mice never have to worry about batteries dying ( because they don't need batteries )

I am not saying you should go back to Wired mice / keyboards

It's just that I will go with the environment friendly options which also assure I won't ever have to worry about batteries

TANSTAAFL, of course. Wireless does require batteries. But I get a year or more from a mouse or keyboard battery, so I'm not all that concerned about power use. And a wired USB keyboard or mouse does use power from the USB, as much as a wireless set, and perhaps more, depending on use, because the wireless units go into sleep mode using almost no battery power when not in use. But all types are available, and you pays your money and you takes your choice.

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Some of the newer USB-PS2 adapters are hit or miss. I have one hanging off an AMD-based motherboard and it works flawlessly. I got another brand for use with a RPi and it didn't work. I wound up using an ancient adapter from StarTech (at least 10 years old) that works like a charm. They don't make stuff like they used to which could be why I see so many items back on the shelves at the local 'puter store that have been previously sold/opened. I'm always on the lookout for decent USB-PS2 adapters... to keep my Model M keyboards in service. :^)

Brand? Model?

Cheers...

I was joking about this the other say as the reason I wish Radio Shack was still around. They were the last place I know of where you could still get rechargable NiCad batteries. While those still used power, at least they didn't wind up in the landfills (as frequently).

NiCd is no longer a viable technology, but NiMH rechargeable batteries are readily available, as are lithium. I have a large selection on hand, some 10 years or more old. You can get them easily online, ebay or many other places.

My newest logitech trackball is rechargeable using a usb cable. It has the best of both worlds -- rechargeable and wireless. For as long as it works there will be no landfill issues with it.