[angib]

Hi
I have a laptop with XP and a dancemat which I use with it by using a USB-PS2 adapter - effectively the dancemat is a keyboard. This works fine with an old adapter of a friend which has the words "AWG space shuttle-c CSA LL80671 AWM IIA/B 80 degrees c 30" written on the wire.

I bought a new adapter (so I could return my friend's) but the new one doesn't work at all. I tried with another new one and that didn't work either. Neither worked on my mother's PC either although the old one does.

The new ones have written on them "LL112842 I/II A FT2 80 degreesC 30V HAURTIAN USB 2.0" on the mouse link, E188722 D (UL) TYPE CM - - " on the keyboard link and "188722 D (UL) TYPE" on the USB link.

I know there is version 1 and 2 of USB connections but don't understand the difference nor why the old cable works and not the new one.

Can anyone advise what is the difference between these 2 different cables and how I might find another of the old type please?

Many thanks
Angi

[LTheobald]

The difference between USB v1.1 & v2.0 is basically the transfer speed. USB 2.0 is much faster. That said, USB 1.1 leads will work fine with USB 2.0 ports and USB 2.0 leads should also work with 1.1 ports. So I can't see what's wrong.

I know it sounds stupid, but have you tried plugging something into both the mouse and the keyboard ends of the lead at the same time? I know that sounds dumb but I'm pretty sure I once encountered something like this where it needed something plugged into both PS2 ends before it worked.

Also, did the lead come with any kind of instructions on the packaging? If so, try reading those.

[cpinetworkingstudent]

Have you tried to use the new cables you have bought on your friends computer? Just trying to trouble shoot and make sure the cable aren't faulty? And also you may want to bring his cable with you when you go back to the store to purchase another one and try it out at the store first? That right there will help with all the guessing

[fredg]

Hi,
Just some thoughts:
Some newer scanners come with a USB V.2 cable, but will NOT work with a computer using the USB V.1 port. I have seen this a few times.
But, the scanner does work, using the older USB V.1 cable. Why? Don't know.
Also, some of the local computer stores/repair shops near me have boxes and boxes of old ps2 adapters that don't work.
Your best bet might be to take your computer to a local computer shop, and try different adapters until you find one that will work.
Best of luck,
fredg

[ScottGem]

The thing I am not clear on here is what interface is on the dancemat? Is it a PS/2 plug or a USB plug. I suspect it's a PS/2 since you wouldn't need an adpater if it was USB.

What you might consider doing is plugging the dance mat directly into the external keyboard or mouse jack on the laptop. There should be a PS/2 jack for at least one of those. Then you wouldn't need an adapter.

[LTheobald]

The thing I am not clear on here is what interface is on the dancemat? Is it a PS/2 plug or a USB plug. I suspect its a PS/2 since you wouldn't need an adpater if it was USB.

From how I'm, reading the question, I believe the dancemat has a USB connection and Angib wants to plug it in their PS/2 slot. Dancemats are a reaasonably new thing, so I doubt they would have PS/2 slots.

Anyway, couple of other things:

First, how many USB & PS/2 slots do you have? If the laptop is running XP it can't be that old and would have at least 2 USB slots I imagine. So I don't see what you wouldn't be able to simply unplug another device just while playing the game.

Secondly, instead of getting a "lead", you can get USB-PS/2 adapters that are a tiny box, USB goes into one end, on the other is the USB port. PC's often are sent out with these. They tend to be coloured purple or green to match the ports on the PC.