ok i have an ancient computer and i had to get an AT to PS2 adapter just to plug in a keyboard, now it is saying i can plug in a serial mouse which i need to do because i do not have a PS2 port on the computer for a mouse. I have a serial to PS2 adapter and two ports that it fits into on the computer. however, none of these ports work with the mouse. i think it is because the serial cards are not fully inserted into the mobo but im not sure which is the right one. one plugs into a PCI slot and has a male serial and a longer female port (like serial with 2 rows of pins but longer) and the other one is plugged into a longer black slot on the motherboard not agp or pci. it has a male serial and a male longer port like the one below it just male not female. which is correct? both?

I think you're talking about a serial and a parallel port. Those adaptors will not work with all mice. I had the same problem with an old 486 (which still works and is out in the garage) and I ended up having to buy a serial mouse. Some mice were sold back in the day but unless you have one of those the adaptor probably won't work.