Which of the following device types is NOT typically compatible with PS/2 ports?

The reason USB drives are not typically compatible with PS/2 ports stems from the fundamental differences in their design and functionality. PS/2 ports are primarily used for connecting traditional input devices such as keyboards and mice, which utilize a specific connector and signaling protocol established in the early days of personal computing.

USB drives, on the other hand, are designed to connect via USB ports, which support a different data transfer standard that allows for a wide variety of peripherals, including storage devices, to interface with the computer. The PS/2 standard does not provide the necessary architecture to recognize or communicate with USB drives, making them incompatible with PS/2 ports.

In contrast, devices like keyboards and mice (the other options) are fundamentally designed to work with PS/2 interfaces, with the appropriate connectors. Joysticks, depending on their design, may also work with PS/2 connections, particularly older models that were built to operate under similar specifications as keyboards and mice.