This one may be a little confusing, so... just the facts, in order:

-Current setup uses ancient ratty Dell PS/2 keyboard through Iogear KVM switch to control both computers.

-Purchased slightly better Microsoft USB keyboard (it was on sale) and plugged it into the USB port on each computer in turn, to test.
-New keyboard worked fine; all functions OK.

-Plugged new keyboard into KVM switch via aUSB-to-PS/2 adapter.
-New keyboard no workie.

-Suspecting adapter, tried it with super-cheap little Zippy USB keyboard (which will go in simpit).
-Zippy keyboard works just fine with adapter.

-Suspecting new keyboard had just died, tried it again directly in USB ports of each computer.
-No problem; worked great.

What the heck is going on here, I wonder?

BTW, no drivers came with this thing...

Maybe if I scratch the Microsoft logo off it it'll work?

Brett_Henderson wrote on Jan 18^th, 2008 at 7:56pm:



Well, the Zippy needs power too- it has an illuminated pad, etc...
and it works fine in the PS/2 port of both machines via the adapter (just tried that; thanks), as well as thru the KVM.

The Microsoft keyboard, naturally, does not. Only powers up thru the USB ports.

Terrific.