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ps2pico with IBM 5162 motherboard


Introduction

Via an OTG adapter, you can plug a USB keyboard into the ps2pico, then attach the ps2pico to the keyboard DIN connector on your IBM 5162 motherboard.

The ps2pico is powered from the +5V pin in the keyboard DIN connector of the IBM 5162 motherboard.

You need to build the ps2pico yourself because, at DEC24, I could not find anyone advertising as selling built units.  Basically, you contruct the circuit, then put the 'ps2pico' firmware into it.

The github web page for the ps2pico is at here.


Wiring to DIN plug

Diagram at here.


Putting the firmware in

Using Windows on modern computer:

1.  Obtain the ps2pico.uf2 file from the ps2pico web page.  (ps2pico-XT.uf2 file is for PC and XT, ps2pico.uf2 file is for AT.)
2.  Hold down the BOOTSEL button on the ps2pico, not releasing it at this time.
3.  With the BOOTSEL button still held down, attach the ps2pico's USB port to a USB port on the modern computer.  A new drive will appear in Windows Exporer on the modern computer.
4.  Release the BOOTSEL button.
5.  Copy the ps2pico.uf2 file onto that new drive. Very shortly after that, the new drive will disappear.


Possible problem

See the 'Problem' section of here.  That problem may also apply to the IBM 5162.


Observations

With fully functional hardware (motherboard and ps2pico):

• As soon as the IBM 5162 is powered on, the ps2pico's LED turns on for a very short time.  The firmware in the ps2pico is what does that.

• The ps2pico emulates a keyboard, even if there is no USB keyboard plugged into the ps2pico.  So, with no USB keyboard plugged into my ps2pico, the POST in my IBM 5162 does not display a 301 error (keyboard related error), because the POST is 'seeing' an AT-class keyboard attached.

• Whenever I press a key on the USB keyboard, the ps2pico's LED turns on for a very short time.


Limitation

You cannot simply move the ps2pico between an IBM 5150/5160 and an IBM 5162, and vice versa.  To move between those two types of systems, you need to put different firmware into the ps2pico:
• For IBM 5150 and IBM 5160, use firmware 'ps2pico-XT'.
• For IBM 5162 and IBM 5170, use firmware 'ps2pico'.