IBM 6019284 "Kishsaver" Keyboard Controller Swap Build Log - Video and Pics

[CPTBadAss]

I finished swapping in the xwhatsit capsense Model F controller in my IBM 6019284. I’m currently typing on this board and I thought I’d share a little build log. Been typing on it for about a week now.


P8090373 by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

P8090374 by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

Flip the board over, and unscrew

P8110376 by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

P8110380 by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

P8120381 by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

De-solder the original controller from the ribbon cable carefully. Then patch the ribbon cable with electrical tape. Align the pins so that you can fit the new controller on. Note that the screenprinted words aren’t visible.


P8120384 by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

P8120389 by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

Solder in new controller then plug in cable and route it.


P8120391 by CaptainBadass, on Flickr


Test the board with xwhatsit’s app. Program the layers to your liking using the app. It's really easy to use, great for people who aren't code savvy like myself .


P8120396A by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

P8120399A by CaptainBadass, on Flickr

Close the board back up and enjoy . Here’s a typing test of me enjoying.

My working layout. Top picture is the “base” layer with the letters in the normal areas. Only the buttons that aren’t the same as the ANSI 1.5x layout are shown. The bottom picture is my layer 1. I have a second layer but it’s not working. xwhatsit suggested I might have to use AHK to get it to work but I haven’t tried it yet. Pictures taken from this thread.



More information and directions can be found in these links:
xwhatsit’s Grand Unified IBM Capsense Controller
Capsense Controller GB Thread
xwhatsit’s site for the programming and directions

I should mention that xwhatsit's directions are great and make this process very painless.


Edit: I can't believe I had the title of this thread mislabeled. The part number is 6019284.

[sleepy916]

Very nice! I hope to be doing this soon.

[CPTBadAss]

The one is kinda wonky, I need to clean the plate, and I'd like to powder coat the board. But the most important part is done, it works! I'm really excited and I'm looking forward to seeing others post pictures or videos. Make sure you do that sleepy916 .

[sleepy916]

The one is kinda wonky, I need to clean the plate, and I'd like to powder coat the board. But the most important part is done, it works! I'm really excited and I'm looking forward to seeing others post pictures or videos. Make sure you do that sleepy916 .

How is your mat? Mine was bad, I had to make a new one. The plate was pretty bad with rust marks too.

I will take more pictures once I start putting it together. I needed to get new flippies because all the ones that came with my kish had rust on them. 

[CPTBadAss]

My mat is in decent condition. My plate is dirty but no rust and I didn't have any rust on my flippers either.

[sleepy916]

My mat is in decent condition. My plate is dirty but no rust and I didn't have any rust on my flippers either.

Lucky! I finished the case and plate. I posted them in the kishsaver thread. I'm going to scavenge my xt for the flippies tomorrow. Then I just need you to send that enviro. 

[CPTBadAss]

Lucky! I finished the case and plate. I posted them in the kishsaver thread. I'm going to scavenge my xt for the flippies tomorrow.

I saw your brushed metal case look, it looks great! And I thought there was an issue with the flippies. I might not be remembering correctly but I thought there was a difference between the Model F flippers and these....or maybe that was just the M and F flippers. Anywho, you may want to look into that .

Then I just need you to send that enviro. 

I'll get right on that 

[sleepy916]

Lucky! I finished the case and plate. I posted them in the kishsaver thread. I'm going to scavenge my xt for the flippies tomorrow.

I saw your brushed metal case look, it looks great! And I thought there was an issue with the flippies. I might not be remembering correctly but I thought there was a difference between the Model F flippers and these....or maybe that was just the M and F flippers. Anywho, you may want to look into that .

Then I just need you to send that enviro. 

I'll get right on that 

The flippies you can use but not the barrels. The barrels in the kish have that notch, while the xt doesn't have any. Yeah the model m flippies/hammers can't be used.

Have you thought about doing the floss mod? I love the way it sounds after it.

[CPTBadAss]

The flippies you can use but not the barrels. The barrels in the kish have that notch, while the xt doesn't have any. Yeah the model m flippies/hammers can't be used.

Gotcha gotcha. Thanks for the info.

Have you thought about doing the floss mod? I love the way it sounds after it.

I'd never floss mod any of my BS boards. I quite like how loud they are. It's part of the charm. The machine gun funk.

[fohat.digs]

Looks great!

In theory I would love to do this, but I don't think that I could live without arrow keys.

[CPTBadAss]

Looks great!

In theory I would love to do this, but I don't think that I could live without arrow keys.

Thanks for your pictures.

And if you look at how I have my layers setup, it's actually really convient to access the arrow keys. You could also change up the layout and I believe that you could work in arrow keys. I know others have been going with an HHKB-esque layout and I'm sure there are other layouts that you could work with.

[terrpn]

The flippies you can use but not the barrels. The barrels in the kish have that notch, while the xt doesn't have any. Yeah the model m flippies/hammers can't be used.

Gotcha gotcha. Thanks for the info.

Have you thought about doing the floss mod? I love the way it sounds after it.

I'd never floss mod any of my BS boards. I quite like how loud they are. It's part of the charm. The machine gun funk.

impressive my brother and thanks for sharing with the rest of us...........

"machine gun funk"

great saying and you are right on it..............it is what i enjoy as well

george clinton (parliament) would give you thumbs up as well

[sleepy916]

The flippies you can use but not the barrels. The barrels in the kish have that notch, while the xt doesn't have any. Yeah the model m flippies/hammers can't be used.

Gotcha gotcha. Thanks for the info.

Have you thought about doing the floss mod? I love the way it sounds after it.

I'd never floss mod any of my BS boards. I quite like how loud they are. It's part of the charm. The machine gun funk.

I didn't think I would like it either so I didn't try the mod for over a year. But once I did I like how crisp it sounds. 

[fohat.digs]

The machine gun funk.

I didn't think I would like it either so I didn't try the mod for over a year. But once I did I like how crisp it sounds.

The floss mod is great and makes the Model F perfect.

The machine gun funk is still there, the floss attenuates the ricochets.

[CPTBadAss]

I tried a floss modded M last year. Really unimpressed by it to be honest.

[jacobolus]

I tried a floss modded M last year. Really unimpressed by it to be honest.

Totally different from a floss-modded model F, IMO.

Also, awesome work on that kishsaver!

[fohat.digs]

I tried a floss modded M last year. Really unimpressed by it to be honest.

Totally different from a floss-modded model F, IMO.

Agreed. The floss mod on a Model M is "meh" at best. It will reduce the noise somewhat, and you may lose a bit of "feel" but after having been spoiled by the Model F, a Model M will always be second-shelf, whether raw or modded.

[vivalarevolución]

I would make sure that you have the latest version of the firmware and the Layer Conditions set correctly in order to access the second layer.  That was my issue and it caused a bit of heartache.

Also, don't drink and program.  It's not a productive combo.

[CPTBadAss]

I have the right firmware and I have one of the two layers working. My second layer has media functions which apparently don't play nicely with Windows. I may need to use AHK or similar programs to get them working according to xwhatsit.

[vivalarevolución]

I have the right firmware and I have one of the two layers working. My second layer has media functions which apparently don't play nicely with Windows. I may need to use AHK or similar programs to get them working according to xwhatsit.

Well, that is the limit of my measly knowledge.  Good luck.

[CPTBadAss]

For anyone who is reading this later, here is a pro tip brought to you by Muirium on Deskthority. When you work on this keyboard, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE BOARD GROUNDED. The little screw that holds in the corner of the controller board is essential for making this work. If it's not grounded, it sends out a *ton* of false positives and you think your computer is crashing and burning.

I was trying to test out my board without grounding it. So in other words, the two case halves were detached and I removed the grounding bolt that connects the PCB into the top half of hte case. It wasn't working and essentially locked up my computer 3 times. Only when I grounded the board did it fix the problem. Muirium mentions this in one of the capsense threads on DT.

Also, xwhatsit has released version 0.7.1 of his programmer for the capsense boards.

[Techno Trousers]

Great tip, thanks! I haven't put mine back together with the new controller yet, but I would definitely have done that too. Typically, you WANT to test things before reassembling them.