Arghhh, new keyboard has missing key.

[Trent Steel]

I purchased at my local compusmart a Belkin 104 key keyboard, nothing fancy. I am now going to take it back, the missing key in question is located to the left of the backspace key or above the enter key, the key is whats in the quotation marks without shift and with shift " \ | ". Anyways thats the last straw in me deciding on returning it. One thing that I was dissapointed with was the length of the cable which is alot less then my1995 compaq keyboard which has a 7' cable. Another thing that I was displeased with was that it stated that it had soft-type technology, but seemed almost as loud as my current keyboard.
Anyways now on to the question for you guys, I am looking at getting the Grandtec "Virtually Indestructible Keyboard" and my questions are the following none of which could be answered by me looking the manufactures site, review sites, etc.
- what is the cable length of the ps/2 and usb keyboards respectively
- can I use a USB to ps/2 converter for the usb model (I want to get the usb version for future motherboard upgrade that may not include legacy inputs, I have no free usb inputs but I have a usb to ps/2 converter that I would rather use then to purchase a usb hub.
- has anyone used this keyboard and what do you thnk about it?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

[Floppyman]

Hi Trent,

Your keyboard might come with a PS/2 to USB converter. With my M$ Natural keyboard, I got one of those. The keyboard plugged into the PS/2 port right now, but if I wanted to plug it into the USB port I'd have to hook up the PS/2 to USB converter. Funny thing is my Logitech mouse is just the opposite. It came with a USB to PS/2 converter (as opposted to PS/2 to USB converter), so I'm using that converter right now, since my mouse is pluged into the other PS/2 port. I would imagine you could use a PS/2 to USB (or vice versa) converter with your keyboard when you want to switch and it would still work fine. Someone correct me though if this is not the case. HTH

[Trent Steel]

I may just try it with the usb to ps/s converter and if it doesn't work I will just get the ps/2 keyboard.

[Jenni]

Somehow I doubt that that key was really "missing". It was probably just in a strange location. On my KB, a Silitek USB, it's BELOW the enter key, on the same row as the other slash. So I have / Shift \ .

[scott_d]

thats the way it is on the keyboard im on right now....its like, 8 years old tho...lol(budget computer)

[Trent Steel]

I would think that would be the case, the key being in a spot where I didn't look. Anyways I searched for some time and coulden't see anything, the service tech that inspected the product before I could return it searched for it but none could be found, the box and all documentation stated that the key was to the immediate left of the backspace key, but since the backspace key was a double key width there was no room for the \ key. How shocked do you think I was, "It's missing a key, that can't be". Anyway, did the return, picked up The Virtually Indestructible Keyboard, and am happy with it so far. Took a bit, and is still taking a bit of getting used to, the keys and board two pieces of Silicone bonded together, you can crush it , impact it, spill on it, roll it up then continue to type away (completely silent). I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to connect the keyboard which is USB to the PS/2 port using the USB to PS/2 connector that came with my mouse.

[Jenni]

I've thought about getting one of those for my son's computer as he's rather hard on keyboards. I'm guessing any destruction of the keyboard would have to pretty obviously intentional. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time that happened around here. About a year ago my 3 year old took a straight screwdriver to his keyboard. I never did find what she did with some of the keys, lol.