what the dilly is a usb keyboard?

[akr44]

i'm looking at motherboards, and now and then, they say it only takes usb keyboards/mouses...mice? lol. how do i tell if i have a usb keyboard? i probably don't...so is there some kind of adapter? thanks for any help. -Reuben

[morriswindgate]

USB = Universal Serial Bus
If you have a USB keyboard it will have a Flat Plug. If you have a PS2 then you will have a round plug with pins inside it. It will also more than likly be color coded green for the mouse and purple or orange for the keyboard

[Force Flow]

Here's what a USB plug looks like:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard/images/setup_USBCable.gif

[LawyerRon]

"how do i tell if i have a usb keyboard?"

More than likely you have a "PS2" keyboard. They use the small round plug.

[stump]

is there any advantage of a USB over PS2?

[glc]

Not in my opinion - all using a USB keyboard does is occupy a USB slot that can be used for other devices where nothing else can be plugged into the PS/2 keyboard port except a keyboard. If the motherboard doesn't have any PS/2 ports, then you will have to use a USB keyboard.

[morriswindgate]

Since you cannot disable the PS2 ports on the board, thus freeing up resources, there is no real advantage to USB for mice and keyboards.