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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Coolit on November 27, 2005, 11:31:15 AM

Title: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: Coolit on November 27, 2005, 11:31:15 AM
Hi All,

I’m looking to upgrade my mouse and keyboard soon, the keyboard is an easy choice, I'm going for one of the silver keyboards from AmigaKit but I cant decide which type of mouse to get, USB (as I have a spider)or a cocolino & a PS2 mouse.

Does having a USB mouse use a lot of system resources compared to its counterpart? and I take it you can only use a USB mouse in WB? so is there any way to get round using it outside WB for early start-up etc or do you have to plug a standard mouse in?

Thanks in advance :-)
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: amiga4001 on November 27, 2005, 11:53:46 AM
USB stack(poseidon) conflicts with MIAMI: so you can't use it while your online.
At least with my system(SPIDER).
Cocolino works great but you need the adapter(most mouses have them included) to usb connection.
This makes the connection a little unstable.
But if you plug it in and don't move it around it'll be fine.
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: amigakit on November 27, 2005, 12:52:49 PM
USB is by far the most configurable choice through the Trident prefs of the excellent Poseidon USB stack.

However when CPU load gets high, the USB ports are affected far more dramatically than the Amiga's mouse port.  So you will get jerky operation with high CPU usage.  Another disadvantage is that you can't use the USB mouse for the Early startup menus (not a major issue).

Having said that, I have been using the Logitech MX1000 USB Laser mouse (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=159) with Poseidon USB+Spider (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=159) for over a year and it is very smooth and high quality.

Here is what it looks like when you configure the mouse in Poseidon.  Note how you can assign every mouse buttons to actions if you wish.

http://www.amigakit.co.uk/images/poseidon-mouse.jpg

AFAIK Posedion does have ability to allow the Posedion stack to stay resident after a warm reboot, but I haven't attempted this.  This may allow the Early-Startup Menu to be used with the USB mouse.  On the very rare occasion I go into the Early Startup, I generally use the AMIGA+Cursor keys to navigate anyway.
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: Coolit on November 27, 2005, 04:04:26 PM
I was thinking about the MX1000, I have its baby brother the MX750 on another system and thats been a good buy.

My only concern really was the system resources.

Thanks for your replies :-)
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: amigakit on November 27, 2005, 05:05:00 PM
At £49 the Logitech MX1000 (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=159) isn't the cheapest mouse on the market but Logitech is the best IMHO. You certainly get excellent quality and the receiver/charger combo is a nice idea.  I spend a lot of time on the Amiga, so a comfortable, hard wearing mouse is essential.

BTW: We have lots of interesting new mouse mats (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=mat0) available now in the store.
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: mfilos on November 27, 2005, 05:14:45 PM
I owe the Cocolino and I'm very happy!
Not only the mouse is smoother than the original but the early startup menu runs like a charm!
I definitelly suggest for the Cocolino if you can afford an extra 30 Euro (without the shipping cost).
In any other case use the USB port since you currently own the adapter.
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: MarkAshley on November 27, 2005, 06:10:51 PM
Does a USB mouse connected to the Spider work with WHDLoad games which need a mouse? And does the Miami incompatibility also affect Genesis?
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: amigakit on November 27, 2005, 06:55:59 PM
I can confirm it is fine with Genesis

Only games that support lowlevel.library can be patched
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: jutrem on November 27, 2005, 07:03:34 PM
 I have experienced no problems with the poseidon USB stack and Miami TCP/IP. I have used an Algor + MS wireless combo with Hydra RJ45 NIC for almost 2 years.
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: platon42 on November 27, 2005, 07:17:43 PM
> USB stack(poseidon) conflicts with MIAMI: so you can't use it while your online.

You're the first reporting this -- I've been online while developing every day with Miami(Dx) and had no problems with Poseidon at the same time.

Concerning the Boot menu: If you have a flashrom system or otherwise make Poseidon reset resident, you will be able to use the USB mouse in the boot menu aswell (but this only applies to host controller cards from E3B (Algor, Highway, Subway), because Elbox drivers cannot made reset resident for boot time).

If you want to play games (WHDLoad), you're better off with something (e.g. Cocolino) that plugs into the standard mouse port.
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: amiga4001 on November 27, 2005, 08:03:24 PM
Only can tell what happens here.
When I bring poseidon stack online and try to start miamidx it comes online very slowly.
After a few minutes online it freezes the computer.If I don't bring poseidon online there is no problem.
Could be that with other setups this doesn't appear.
As for the mouse the usb way is very smooth/fast with the spider.
Oh the scrollwheel function on the mouse in combination with the cocolino does not like whd-load games.
If you don't use the scroll wheel option you have no problems.
 
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: ChaosLord on November 27, 2005, 09:13:01 PM
You really need either a Cocolino or Mr. Mysza PS/2 mouse adapter.  I have Mr. Mysza.  He works great. :-)
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: orange on November 27, 2005, 09:56:04 PM
I think the best solution is to build one (http://qrange.t35.com/PCB/Amiga_PCB.htm)
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: MarkAshley on November 27, 2005, 10:05:15 PM
Quote

orange wrote:
I think the best solution is to build one (http://qrange.t35.com/PCB/Amiga_PCB.htm)

You need a PIC programmer  :-(  Would be cheaper just to get a Cocolino!
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: orange on November 28, 2005, 08:51:54 AM
Oh, come on, pic programmer can be found everywhere, and its soo easy to build one, too. or just look for someone that have it..
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: MarkAshley on November 28, 2005, 09:22:09 AM
I tried to build one once but it didn't work  :-(
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: adonay on November 28, 2005, 11:14:47 AM
I have the cornholio and it is brilliant works on all things no need to be worried about some USB stack going bananas, and i think you want to use maximum USB speed on something else.

adonay :-D
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: Tripitaka on November 28, 2005, 12:03:57 PM
I use a KVM Switch with my PC so it has to be ps2. If you use a PC too (or any other ps2/vga compatable output), then a switch is well worth a thought. :-)
Title: Re: USB or Cocolino/ps2?
Post by: MarkAshley on November 28, 2005, 12:39:27 PM
Good tip. I don't have any PCs. I'm Microsoft free  :-D