My Mom has an old PowerMac G3 for playing some old games she still loves. Her mouse died yesterday (still tracks horizontally, but doesn't move vertically). We cleaned out the mouse & futzed around with it, but with no luck. The mouse has the old-style plug with the pins rather than a USB connection & it plugs directly into the keyboard.

1. Is there such thing as an adapter from USB to ADB (I have something similar that converts old PC connector to USB)? If so, where would I find one?

2. Since I didn't think to look when I was at home (and if I ask Mom, she'll have no idea what I'm talking about), does the connection from the keyboard to the CPU use the same ADB connector as the one from the mouse into the keyboard?

I'm checking with some Mac users here at work to see if anyone has an extra old-style mouse. Barring that, I'm wondering if I can find a connector that would allow me to connect a new keyboard & mouse to the CPU.

Any advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Shayna

I would try somewhere like CompUSA (if they haven't closed down all their stores - they did around here) or BestBuy or Circuit City - big box-y store with computer stuff - and bring in the old mouse - and ask if they have a connector you can buy to plug in where that mouse plugged in - that you could plug a new USB mouse into. And make sure it and the mouse are returnable if they don't work.

I looked around briefly at Best Buy this morning, but didn't see anything that wasn't of the uber-new Apple variety. There's a small store near my office that specializes in Mac stuff. I'm going to have Mom take her mouse in there & see what they recommend. If nothing else, I found a seller on eBay who has some of the old-style mice.

Thanks for the suggestions, Cathy!

if your ebay guy flakes, I have a box of older apple bits somewhere in my storage unit... I'm sure there's an old mouse in there somewhere.

It might be easier to buy a usb card for that machine and a USB mouse. Depending on what system OS is on the G3, it should support a generic USB card.

I used to have one of those doohickeys that converts the pins to USB. Unfortunately I think it's sitting in my office in the US and I'm in France. I would send it to you if I were there. Sorry!

shna, let me know if you still are looking for a mouse Monday. I will go thru my "Drawer of Junk" and I can ALMOST guarantee I will have something that works. Or I know someone who does. (Sad, really...)

shna, let me know if you still are looking for a mouse Monday. I will go thru my "Drawer of Junk" and I can ALMOST guarantee I will have something that works. Or I know someone who does. (Sad, really...)

LOL!

I ordered a couple from the eBay guy -- just waiting for them to show up now. I *think* there may be a USB port on the back of her computer, but I don't know if it will work for keyboards/mice. I may have to look into it, but I don't feel like fighting with the stuff in her room if I don't have to. :p

I appreciate the suggestions, everyone!

Oh -- and it's whatever operating system came with the computer... so it's QUITE old. Like back in the days of the OJ trial old, I think.