PS/2

1. Often referred to as the mouse and/or keyboard port, the PS/2 port was developed by IBM and is used to connect a computer mouse or keyboard to an IBM compatible computer. The PS/2 port is a mini DIN plug that contains six pins and is still found on all IBM compatible computers today, however, is starting to be replaced by USB.

To the right are two pictures of what the PS/2 ports look like on the back of your computer. As can be seen by both of these pictures many computers have adopted the color codes purple and teal as identifications for each of the port. The mouse is teal and the keyboard is purple.

Below is a picture of an actual PS/2 plug as well as a graphic illustration of the connection.

• Additional information about installing a PC mouse can be found on document CH000448.
• Information about installing a PC keyboard can be found on document CH000449.

2. PS/2 was also a IBM computer that was first introduced in 1987 that had improved graphics, a 3.5-inch diskette drive, and proprietary bus to help prevent clone makers competition, and a bidirectional 8-bit port.

3. PS2 is also short for PlayStation 2, a gaming console system developed by Sony.

• The official PlayStation page can be found at http://www.playstation.com/.

Also see: AT Keyboard, Connection, Keyboard definitions, Motherboard definitions, Mouse definitions, Port, PS/2 Bus, PS3, Wii, Xbox