I want to use this trackball [QTronix Libra 90M] with my Macintosh Plus; but I can't figure out what it's communication protocol is.

[vorg]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Macintosh Plus that someone in my area was getting rid of and I'd like to get it working.

I have a trackball called the QTronix Libra 90M and it has a female DB9 connector; just like the Macintosh. I can't find much information on it, but despite that connector it might be PS2 or USB.
It has five pins and a chip, but the "serial" connector has me confused what it is exactly.

https://imgur.com/nJJ4Ca0

<< The trackball and connector

https://imgur.com/3dqbpPZ

<< The board.

Can anyone tell what this is? I'd love to use a microcontroller to make it work, but if it isn't USB or PS2 then it is beyond my copy/paste from Github abilities.

 

[olePigeon]

That would most likely be a PC serial mouse. Older Apple mice have a male DE-9 connector. Commercial PC serial to Mac adapters did exist, but they're pretty rare I think.

I found this article on Stack Exchange about converting a PC serial mouse to work on a Mac: https://retrocomputing.stackexchang...will-any-serial-mouse-connect-to-classic-macs

You might be better off just buying a mouse made for a Mac.

 

[NeXT]

You will need to be looking for a Kensington Turbo Mouse or a clone of it. There was an ADB version of it but it was initially sold for the pre-ADB compact macs.

https://trackballs.eu/media/Kensington/Turbo%20Mouse%20Brochure.pdf

I'm assuming you are just trying to use the trackball because that is the closest thing you can find that looks like it would work? You might save a bit of money looking for a standard (non-ADB) 1 button Macintosh mouse but even those are no longer dime a dozen.