Help with some old technology

[CrazyFikus]

This is my first topic so please be patient with me.
As the title says I need help with some old technology, I've got this old (read: ancient) keyboard that I want to see working. And while the keyboard part works just fine, the trackball on the right (see pic) doesn't. I was wondering if anyone knew any way to get it working, I'm pretty sure it's a software problem so I ask you do you know any drivers (the word driver is used loosely here) to get the thing working.

[http://img11.imageshack.us/my.php?image=keyboardv.jpg]
The connectors are here...

[http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=connector.jpg]
The trackball connector is the blue 9-pin on the right.

 

[Skeleon]

Hmm, I never owned a trackball, but it's kinda like an upturned mouse, right?
Maybe you just need an adapter for the trackball connector?
Check your local hardware store.

 

[Labyrinth]

It could well be that the necessary adaptor isn't stocked any more.. perhaps a re-wire? Might be cheaper to get a new mouse.

 

[Magical Hans]

Awww i got a converter plug for that thing!
Dude where did you find that brick?

 

[CrazyFikus]

Hmm, I never owned a trackball, but it's kinda like an upturned mouse, right?
Maybe you just need an adapter for the trackball connector?
Check your local hardware store.

I already have an adapter and i used it to plug in the trackball, the thing is that the computer didn't register the movements of the ball at all, like it wasn't even plugged in.

 

[Zersy]

Well maybe it just did what everything does ?

DIE.

 

[CrazyFikus]

Well maybe it just did what everything does ?

DIE.

It's possible, but experience has taught me that just because things DON'T work doesn't mean they CAN'T.

 

[cathou]

Hmm, I never owned a trackball, but it's kinda like an upturned mouse, right?
Maybe you just need an adapter for the trackball connector?
Check your local hardware store.

I already have an adapter and i used it to plug in the trackball, the thing is that the computer didn't register the movements of the ball at all, like it wasn't even plugged in.

i guess you using an AT to PS/2 adapter for the keyboard and a DB9 to PS/2 adapter for the trackball?

in some case the adapter dont work well with certain mouse. the ideal would be to plug it on a computer that still have a serial port in it, to see if it's the adater that cause the trouble.

You can also try to use every drivers that come with windows one by one to see if one work.

you can also try this http://www.soft32.com/download_178393.html

it's a serial trackball, so it might work, but i'm not sure.

 

[Zersy]

Well maybe it just did what everything does ?

DIE.

It's possible, but experience has taught me that just because things DON'T work doesn't mean they CAN'T.

The Terminator comes to mind

 

[Trivun]

I'd imagine it's an adaptor problem, but I reckon it's more likely a hardware problem rather than software as you seem to think. It's probably simply a case of a connector inside the device becoming detached or something, which explains why it's only the tracker ball that doesn't work.

 

[schubi]

How about your motherboard drivers?

I had a similar problem a few years ago and installing the correct motherboard drivers from the makers website solved it.

 

[CrazyFikus]

i guess you using an AT to PS/2 adapter for the keyboard and a DB9 to PS/2 adapter for the trackball?

in some case the adapter dont work well with certain mouse. the ideal would be to plug it on a computer that still have a serial port in it, to see if it's the adater that cause the trouble.

You can also try to use every drivers that come with windows one by one to see if one work.

you can also try this http://www.soft32.com/download_178393.html

it's a serial trackball, so it might work, but i'm not sure.

Thanks for the advice and the link, I think I can get a hold of a PCI card that has a serial port instead of using a (very) old computer, as for the download, I'll give it a try.