Arch Linux

Arthurmeade12

Member

From: U.S.A

Registered: 2022-10-18

Posts: 47

Website

USB Dongle Removal

My computer has two USB A ports. I recently purchased a wireless keyboard, but I didn't realize that it had an irritating USB dongle. I used my 2 USB ports for my printer and my MIDI keyboard, but now I'm one port short. Can I remove the USB dongle and get the keyboard to connect directly to my computer? Has anyone heard of this being possible for USB dongle devices?

Thanks for any advice.

Scimmia

Fellow

Registered: 2012-09-01

Posts: 12,349

Re: USB Dongle Removal

That depends entirely on the keyboard. Which one is it?

Arthurmeade12

Member

From: U.S.A

Registered: 2022-10-18

Posts: 47

Website

Re: USB Dongle Removal

It's a logitech K400 Plus.
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireles … UQOGK?th=1

seth

Member

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 60,884

Re: USB Dongle Removal

Says it supports bluetooth, so if you've some internal BT chip (check "lsusb") you can use that instead of the unifying receiver.

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Arthurmeade12

Member

From: U.S.A

Registered: 2022-10-18

Posts: 47

Website

Re: USB Dongle Removal

I know that my computer has a bluetooth chip; I used that for my old wireless keyboard. The question is, can I get the new one to connect to a device other than the dongle. If I can get the new keyboard to connect directly to my computer instead of through the dongle, then I can free up that USB A port.

seth

Member

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 60,884

Re: USB Dongle Removal

Yes?
That's what it says on the tin… err… amazon webpage.

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d.ALT

Member

Registered: 2019-05-10

Posts: 951

Re: USB Dongle Removal

It's a logitech K400 Plus.

If I understood your needs correctly, you must utilize Logitech's own Unifying Receiver dongle.
- https://github.com/pwr-Solaar/Solaar
- https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/solaar/

You could keep MIDI connected directly to your PC and use the 2nd (and remaining) USB port to attach to it the USB hub.

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seth

Member

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 60,884

Re: USB Dongle Removal

I was gonna complain that amazon says you don't but on a second look got fooled - it tries to "sell" me an upgrade to the K830 which would provide BT and in that case you're stuck w/ the dongle (Logitech had that for a while, though, infuriatingly, the UR is basically just a proprietary BT slang.
Sorry - the tin actually says you can't connect this w/ BT

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Arthurmeade12

Member

From: U.S.A

Registered: 2022-10-18

Posts: 47

Website

Re: USB Dongle Removal

Yeah I was a bit confused when @seth said that the amazon webpage said I could just connect it directly to my computer without the dongle. Glad to know that I'm not blind. I'm going to try this solaar tool, but if that doesn't work, there's no hope of removing the dongle, is there?

seth

Member

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 60,884

Re: USB Dongle Removal

there's no hope of removing the dongle

Solaar or not, sorry for the confusion. The particular keyboard you linked (and unlike the one amazon was trying to sell me) only operates on logitech's proprietary BT slang (the unifying receiver)

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Arthurmeade12

Member

From: U.S.A

Registered: 2022-10-18

Posts: 47

Website

Re: USB Dongle Removal

alright thanks