using the keyboard and mouse optical combo from one computer to another

[Benash4112]

i no longer have the actual computer the mouse and keyboard combo came with. i just have the mouse and keyboard that came with that computer. I have a new hp desktop so is there a way to use that keyboard and mouse on my new desktop because I don't think they used a Bluetooth dongle or it was built i

[itsmyname]

@Benash4112 -- there are three types of keyboards:

1. wired -- connect to a USB port on your computer;
2. wireless -- usually have a "receiver" connected to a USB port. Some All-In-One computers have a few USB ports _inside_ the computer, and the receiver (wirelessly) connects to the keyboard;
3. BlueTooth -- either having a "receiver" that connects to a USB port on an older computer, or having a WiFi-plus-BlueTooth adapter inside your computer, to connect via the wireless BlueTooth protocol to your keyboard.

What hardware do you have?

What is the model-number of your new computer?

Does it have built-in BlueTooth?

Does the keyboard from the previous HP computer support BlueTooth?

[Benash4112]

the keyboard and mouse combo came with the all in one 24-df0042ds and It didn't come with any Bluetooth adapter so it had to ha e been on the inside and I don't have access to it anymore. My new computer supports Bluetooth and it is the hp all in one 24-df1250

[itsmyname]

@Benash4112 -- My new computer supports Bluetooth 

Good. If your "old" keyboard & mouse supported Bluetooth, your new computer's Bluetooth capability will connect to that keyboard & mouse.

[Benash4112]

That's what I assumed but I cant get either one pop up, I've looked everywhere online trying to find out if I can reset them so they will come up as available but  can't find anything. If they used a built in dongle or whatever it's called then that might be why because I can't get it now the old computer is gone..

[itsmyname]

@Benash4112 -- what is the model-number printed on the label on the bottom of the keyboard?

With that information, you (or I) can do a search to determine if the keyboard really is Bluetooth or WiFi.

If it does have Bluetooth, it should connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as an iPhone or a modern computer.

BlueTooth -- either having a "receiver" that connects to a USB port on an older computer, or having a WiFi-plus-BlueTooth adapter inside your computer, to connect via the wireless BlueTooth protocol to your keyboard.

[Benash4112]

model number is TPC-C002K

[itsmyname]

@Benash4112 -- please see another thread on this discussion forum: Replacement receiver for TPC-C002K Keyboard - HP Support Community - 6674842

The author lost the adapter that connects to the computer, to make a wireless connection to the keyboard.

So, the answer is that you can remove your adapter from a USB socket on your computer, and connect it to a different computer, and connect (wirelessly) your keyboard to your adapter, to use the keyboard on the other computer.