Losing keyboard, mouse. Where to start troubleshooting?

[Ed from AZ]

I use a Dell 600 laptop with an external keyboard and trackball. The
keyboard and trackball are both PS2; the laptop does not have any PS2
ports, so I have a "joiner" cable (similar to http://sewelldirect.com/usbtops2.asp)
that puts both into a single USB port.

In this configuration, I run a VB6 (Classic) application that only
looks up files on the hard drive and opens them - the program does not
(as far as I know) communicate in any way with the keyboard or
trackball processes (Logitech).

Occasionally, though, I "lose" the keyboard and trackball - that is,
the computer will no longer accept their input. The USB and PS2
connections are physically secure. If I restart the connection is
restored.

Where can I start to look for what is causing the drop-out? How do I
troubleshoot this problem?

Ed

 

[Andrew E.]

If youre going to "shade-tree mechanic" the two,try connecting both
independently
thru a USB hub,at least the OS would be able to connect them as seperate
devices.

 

[Twayne]

I use a Dell 600 laptop with an external keyboard and trackball. The

keyboard and trackball are both PS2; the laptop does not have any PS2
ports, so I have a "joiner" cable (similar to
http://sewelldirect.com/usbtops2.asp) that puts both into a single
USB port.

In this configuration, I run a VB6 (Classic) application that only
looks up files on the hard drive and opens them - the program does not
(as far as I know) communicate in any way with the keyboard or
trackball processes (Logitech).

Occasionally, though, I "lose" the keyboard and trackball - that is,
the computer will no longer accept their input. The USB and PS2
connections are physically secure. If I restart the connection is
restored.

Where can I start to look for what is causing the drop-out? How do I
troubleshoot this problem?

Ed

Your problem is the way you've connected two PS/2 devices into the same
connector; it doesn't work that way and they will interfere with each
other as your'e seeing.

Get another PS2 adapter; they ahve to be separately managed.

 

[Ed from AZ]

Thanks to all who replied. Some comments to each:

Andrew and Twayne:

Connecting each separately makes sense. I can probably afford two PS2-
USB adapters.

The problem is I only have two USB ports on the laptop. If I plug in
the mouse and keyboard separately, I can't use anything else. Andrew,
you mentioned a USB hub. Since a hub turns one port into several, are
they kept separate at the one port, or will I potentially hit conflict
problems again?

pip22:

I'm not sure I want SP3 - the reviews I've read suggest that if SP2
isn't broke, I shouldn't fix it, especially on an older machine. New
USB devices would be nice - unfortunately, I run up against cost
issues. I also use up the only two USB ports on the laptop.

Ed

 

[Twayne]

Thanks to all who replied. Some comments to each:

Andrew and Twayne:

Connecting each separately makes sense. I can probably afford two
PS2- USB adapters.

The problem is I only have two USB ports on the laptop. If I plug in
the mouse and keyboard separately, I can't use anything else. Andrew,
you mentioned a USB hub. Since a hub turns one port into several, are
they kept separate at the one port, or will I potentially hit conflict
problems again?

pip22:

I'm not sure I want SP3 - the reviews I've read suggest that if SP2
isn't broke, I shouldn't fix it, especially on an older machine. New
USB devices would be nice - unfortunately, I run up against cost
issues. I also use up the only two USB ports on the laptop.

Ed

Hi Ed,

re USB: A USB expansion card should separate the functions nicely. I
currently have 7 USB peripherals connected on this desktop, in fact.
USB interfaces are each addressed separately so whatever you connect to
one should work well with other connected equipment. USB is not a
piggy-backing arrangement; each port has its own address.

re SP3: I understand your resistance as I went thru the same thing but
it's probably worrying about nothing - many millions of installs are
working just fine.
If you go to the MS web site and follow their preparation
instructions, all should go fine.
As for all the complaints online, remember, people for whom it worked
well don't post because they have little reason to.
I do admit that I did a Full image of the boot drive before applying
SP3, but that's just good common sense before installing/messing with
anything that goes into the operating system that way. And if you
aren't doing backups, you should be. Sooner or later you will be very
glad you did. Creating disk images is the easiest and fastest method to
backup/Restore but even ntbackup.exe, provided with Home AND Pro
versions, is better than nothing. At least get your data backed up to
DVD, external drive, whatever. With imaging, a half hour or so and you
have your whole boot disk back up and running after a total crash, vs a
couple of days for a manual rebuild and the possible loss of data that
goes with it.
My advice would be to backup, install SP3, then back that up and put a
copy on DVDs.

HTH

Twayne

 

[Ed from AZ]

Thanks, Twayne, for all your help. One more question, if I may: would
an external USB hub do the same as a "USB expansion card", which I
assume is internal? Or perhaps I could find one for the PCMCIA slot.

The backup is an excellent idea. I have had my share of crashes.
Unfortunately, some of us appear slow to learn . . . 8>\

Ed

 

[Frank-FL]

I use a Dell 600 laptop with an external keyboard and
trackball. The
keyboard and trackball are both PS2; the laptop does not
have any PS2
ports, so I have a "joiner" cable (similar to
http://sewelldirect.com/usbtops2.asp)
that puts both into a single USB port.

In this configuration, I run a VB6 (Classic) application
that only
looks up files on the hard drive and opens them - the
program does not
(as far as I know) communicate in any way with the
keyboard or
trackball processes (Logitech).

Occasionally, though, I "lose" the keyboard and
trackball - that is,
the computer will no longer accept their input. The USB
and PS2
connections are physically secure. If I restart the
connection is
restored.

Where can I start to look for what is causing the
drop-out? How do I
troubleshoot this problem?

Your post reads like you have a power misconfiguration.
BIOS and or OS.

 

[Ed from AZ]

Your post reads like you have a power misconfiguration.
BIOS and or OS.- Hide quoted text -

I'm sorry to be so ignorant of this stuff, Frank, but that went right
over my head! Where do I look for that? And what am I looking for?

Ed

 

[Twayne]

Thanks, Twayne, for all your help. One more question, if I may: would

an external USB hub do the same as a "USB expansion card", which I
assume is internal? Or perhaps I could find one for the PCMCIA slot.

I don't have personal experience with same, but I was picturing a card
for the PCMCIA slot when I said that. No, I was not referring to an
internal card; you really can't add anything internal to any laptop I've
ever seen. You want one for the PCMCIA slot. Assuming you can spare it,
too<g>.

I do NOT recommend for or against the following link: I used it simply
to demonstrate that such products are available for laptops:

http://www.usb-ware.com/usb-2-pcmcia-card-4-port-ub504.htm
I used pcmcia +usb expansion for a search on Google and it
brought up a lot of hits.

I did notice one card while I was looking around that seemed to replace
1.1 ports, rather than add 2.0 to, the USB ports, so I guess you need
to be sure to check that detail. Sorry, I have no USB experience with
USB PCMCIA cards. As always, read the small print.

Yes, the backups are very important. The ideal method is with imaging
sofware such as Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image. There are others,
too, but those seem to be the best all around apps.

HTH

Twayne

 

[Ed from AZ]

Looks good!! I do not use the PCMCIA at the moment, so that's a very
good option!

Again, many thanks.

Ed

 

[Twayne]

Best of luck; let us know how it works out, OK?

Twayne

 

[Frank-FL]

Your post reads like you have a power misconfiguration.
BIOS and or OS.- Hide quoted text -

I'm sorry to be so ignorant of this stuff, Frank, but that
went right
over my head! Where do I look for that? And what am I
looking for?

Ed

Control panel > power options (I set all to never).
Control panel > system > hardware > device manager > USB
controllers > USB root hub > power management >
allow the computer to turn off this device (uncheck).