i didn't bother replying since my question for help was pretty much met with "don't bother you can't do it" (which to me seems like its very much the opposite of what this forum is for, but hey what do i know about help and community?), but since i got a notification for an update, useless or not, i thought i'd say something now that i've relaxed a bit since then, in order of nitro's replies -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817332005
i don't have to have an hdd with usb otg support, i can buy one. and i don't have to worry about all the crap you just pointed out because it's a standard for a reason. it'll act as a host because it's programmed to. i understand and acknowledge you know more than me, but c'mon, google a little bit. it will behave as it should, it's just making it do what i want that's the issue. but i already said it once - software is an issue i'll tackle after i figure out the hardware.
i should have been more specific about using a serial adapter - i only wanted to use it for ease of connecting the pinouts to the next part of the interface (saves me the trouble of having to read the datasheets on a usb interface to pin out cuz i'm gonna be as lazy as possible about it. there, i said it.). it also makes it easier to swap out a part should i burn something out. i'm well aware it's way too slow when compared to a disc drive. and why wouldn't i limit the voltage down to a ps2's voltage? that's just silly to ignore.
edit: hell, why am i even explaining this part? if it's going from the rewired ribbons into a serial adapter that's not even used for serial, and is going straight into usb, serial speed is a non-issue. it's merely being used to make interfacing easier. i only thought of that to save me the trouble of learning how to change that ribbon into a usb plug and save me some bucks in prototyping.
i may not know the signal voltage in the ribbon cable, but like you said ps2 voltage isn't that high, and the most it could possibly ever be throughout the system is 12v, which it very much isn't. like you said it's probably 3.3v or 5v. there's always using a volt meter to figure it out. or guess and risk burning out a motherboard finding out (which in my own and my engineering professor's opinion, if it don't smoke, spark or generally do something, good or bad, you're not really working on it). either way, you totally skirted answering me, again. maybe you really don't know anything to help me and you're just being a sarcastic bastard. i could be wrong though. and i still believe it's just a software problem after figuring out hardware interfacing. when i said jury rig, i meant it. it doesn't have to be pretty, compact, or anything. so long as it does the job. streamlining it can come later. y'know, after you get it to work. i fully expect anything i work out to be disgustingly sloppy. but hey, so long as it works.
i'm not giving up this idea simply because someone said i should. that's...retarded. and you know it. now telling me i don't know anything? that's immature. you could have said what you think could be done to make it work, but instead you chose to sit back and try and belittle me? that's big of you. elitism on a forum based on kitbashing is incredibly stupid. i'm well aware i'm in way over my head, but i don't see anyone with the knowledge required doing anything along these lines. so it's gotta start somewhere. to think i could do this without having to do the things you said is unfathomable, and why you'd think i was thinking i could do this without having to read technical datasheets, reverse engineer and bang my head on the desk (mostly the latter) i have no idea. and to be completely frank since you felt you could be, it won't be a sunny day when i figure it out. it'll probably be dark and many hours, days or years from the point i started. and i'll be more tired and miserable than happy i did it. but at least i'm taking the first steps. which is so far more than what i'm finding, here and elsewhere.
since all i've gotten are negative answers so far and very little constructive, i'll put it out there now - if it's not something useful or conducive to trying to make this work,
STUFF IT. constructive criticism and advice only. kthxbi.