Author Topic: Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod  (Read 136833 times)

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Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #100 on: Fri, 07 May 2010, 10:55:43 »
Another note.  My 11 yr. old son shares my main computer with me and he's had an opportunity to try out all of my various keyboards.   Hates the HHKB2 and doesn't understand why I would want an "Otaku" style board.  

His faves thus far:  

1.  IBM PC AT Model F
2.  Filco Blue with the DS keys
3.  IBM Space Saving Mini
4.  Logitech G15  (likes the screen for gaming)

Too funny!!!!

Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #101 on: Fri, 07 May 2010, 11:24:19 »
Quote from: ripster;179824
Ack!  G15!  Child Protection Services!


I agree.  I wouldn't be here if I was happy with the G15.  But it is cool have the latest Obama or Tiger Woods news broadcasted on the screen while playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2  :)

Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #102 on: Sat, 08 May 2010, 07:09:20 »
Quote from: ripster;179810
SK - can you take some pics during reassembly.  This alignment thing sounded confusing.


Here you go rip.   Here is a unit that I recently took apart.    It's actually VERY easy if you know what you're doing.  

First of all, if you look at the assembly, you'll see that the only thing that really holds everything intact is this metal clip on the upper right.  I recommend using a prying tool  (didn't have my Atwood Prybaby with me at the time, so I used a dental tool) to bend this tab, but just enough to separate it slightly from the frame.  Like so:



A simple tip is to mark where the tabs seat prior to taking it apart.  I used a Sharpie which will wipe clean with a little alchohol:



Now ideally you're supporting this assembly on the left and the right so that the hammers/spring and cylinders stay intact.   So just ignore the fact that I took everything apart here.  

Once the metal tab on the top right is bent back, you can see the assembly slides and comes apart.   If you're lucky, simply using your hands will allow the the two parts to slide and come apart.  If not, seat the assembly left side down (as you read the label) and rap the black metal frame with a rubber mallet to move the notches to the left.  It will simply drop down about 4mm and come apart.  

Then just lift the metal back plate away from the rest of the assembly.

You'll be left with this:



At this point, fix the backspace.  It's really easy.  Move the spring/hammer diagonally for the |\ key and that's it.  

On the space bar  (can't find the spring, so ignore that), simply loop a piece of floss around the spring/hammer and through the cylinder like so:





After doing this, replace the space bar and the spring as directed by Jbert.  I used Glide branded PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) aka Teflon for this purpose because it is thin and very slippery.   Do NOT use Superfloss for this purpose as you will never get it past the barrel/Space Bar key.   IMPORTANT step here with reassembly.   I didn't do this at first and trying to squish the plates together without moving the spring/hammer is VERY difficult.   Doing it this way is idiot proof.  

Now just do everything in reverse.  Line the plate and frame together carefully.   Make certain that all of the springs/hammers are centered properly.  

Seat the sliding groove/latch bottom section first:



Now gently lower the other side down and slide till the latches lock:



You know you're there when the markings line up.  And you'll see how the upper right can be bent back to lock everything in place.   I used rubber tipped dental forceps.  But a small amount of electrical tap will protect the tab from getting scratched if you use pliers.   Bend the upper right tab till it locks into the notch and that's it.   DONE.   Eezy peezy.  

Hope this helps.  Let me know if there any other questions and I'll do my best to help.  

skc

Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #103 on: Sat, 08 May 2010, 10:08:59 »
Quote from: ripster;180154
Thanks!   That does help.  Your foam stuff looks pretty new too - I  was worried it would start crumbling in my hands.


The foam is actually a fairly nice high density foam.   And I forgot to mention, make a note of where the foam fits over the latches.   But that's only if you disassemble the entire board, which I definitely don't recommend on a new board.

And follow JBert's instructions on removing the spring on the space bar.  That helped.   You'll need some needle nose pliers to replace the bar.  

I don't know how anyone removes the space bar on these without taking the entire assembly apart.  You'll see what I mean as soon as you start working on it.  

Oh.....and don't forget to remove the keys before getting started.   Otherwise, all of the hammer/springs will fly off.  

Have fun!!

skc

Offline JBert

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #104 on: Sun, 09 May 2010, 08:43:36 »
Quote from: skcheng;180168
And follow JBert's instructions on removing the spring on the space bar.  That helped.   You'll need some needle nose pliers to replace the bar.
Thanks for posting pics about the looped-wire trick I described earlier. I'll post my original pics in the other mod thread, still hadn't got to it.

Quote from: skcheng;180168
I don't know how anyone removes the space bar on these without taking the entire assembly apart.  You'll see what I mean as soon as you start working on it.  

Oh.....and don't forget to remove the keys before getting started.   Otherwise, all of the hammer/springs will fly off.
Some people read "all keys except the spacebar" as "all keys". They then accidentally discover that you can pry off the spacebar by pulling until the stabilizer spring bends.

This doesn't mean you should do it as you may damage the board. You'll need to disassemble the keyboard anyway seeing how you can't get the stabilizer spring connected to the spacebar. Actually, incidents like a removed spacebar is how most people learn that it can take a whole afternoon to assemble it your first time.
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IBM Model F AT || Cherry G80-3000/Blues || Compaq MX11800 (Cherry brown, bizarre layout) || IBM KB-8923 (model M-style RD) || G81-3010 Hxx || BTC 5100C || G81-3000 Sxx || Atari keyboard (?)


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Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #105 on: Sun, 09 May 2010, 09:26:38 »
Quote from: JBert;180344
Thanks for posting pics about the looped-wire trick I described earlier. I'll post my original pics in the other mod thread, still hadn't got to it.

Some people read "all keys except the spacebar" as "all keys". They then accidentally discover that you can pry off the spacebar by pulling until the stabilizer spring bends.

This doesn't mean you should do it as you may damage the board. You'll need to disassemble the keyboard anyway seeing how you can't get the stabilizer spring connected to the spacebar. Actually, incidents like a removed spacebar is how most people learn that it can take a whole afternoon to assemble it your first time.



In many ways, I can really appreciate how much work went into the Model F PC AT.   Separate cylinders, metal top and bottom plates.   Metal covers.   And still one of the nicest typing experiences out there.  

I've found that well used PC AT boards have less "stiff" space bars.  The "like new" (don't have a NIB one until Rip or Max decide to sell me one of theirs) boards are the ones with the thumb busting bars.  And I've already lost one spring......  Oh well.....it was a broken XT board anyway.  

I just repaired a "broken" PC AT board and I'm almost done modifying another board.  Takes me minutes now to get one of these apart and back together.  That first attempt took me all evening.

Offline JBert

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #106 on: Sun, 09 May 2010, 16:04:18 »
Posted my original looped-wire pictures here. I've linked to your post containing the picture with the PTFE floss.
IBM Model F XT + Soarer's USB Converter || Cherry G80-3000/Clears

The storage list:
IBM Model F AT || Cherry G80-3000/Blues || Compaq MX11800 (Cherry brown, bizarre layout) || IBM KB-8923 (model M-style RD) || G81-3010 Hxx || BTC 5100C || G81-3000 Sxx || Atari keyboard (?)


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Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #107 on: Sun, 09 May 2010, 17:59:32 »
Quote from: JBert;180479
Posted my original looped-wire pictures here. I've linked to your post containing the picture with the PTFE floss.


Great tutorial on looping down that spring/hammer.  Much better than my quickie pics.  Thanks for taking the time!!

Offline maxlugar

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #108 on: Mon, 10 May 2010, 11:26:54 »
Quote from: skcheng;179814
Another note.  My 11 yr. old son shares my main computer with me and he's had an opportunity to try out all of my various keyboards.   Hates the HHKB2 and doesn't understand why I would want an "Otaku" style board.  

His faves thus far:  

1.  IBM PC AT Model F
2.  Filco Blue with the DS keys
3.  IBM Space Saving Mini
4.  Logitech G15  (likes the screen for gaming)

Too funny!!!!


If the 84-key PC AT Model F  is your 11 year old son's favourite keyboard, I may have to reconsider the KING of Keyboards  :)
Emperor of the IBM 84-key AT Model F Darkside

Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #109 on: Mon, 10 May 2010, 11:40:34 »
Quote from: maxlugar;180716
If the 84-key PC AT Model F  is your 11 year old son's favourite keyboard, I may have to reconsider the KING of Keyboards  :)


Yeah, what do you think of his 4th choice??  He also likes Legos.....

Offline maxlugar

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #110 on: Mon, 10 May 2010, 11:55:08 »
Quote from: skcheng;180720
Yeah, what do you think of his 4th choice??  He also likes Legos.....


Actually, with the exception of the Logitech, I think your son has exceptionally good taste in keyboards.  No dout acquired from, or at least highly influenced by his father.

I was deprived of Legos as a child.  In the UK, I had a Meccano set (similar to an Erector set) but no fun coloured blocks to snap together.  

I'll bet your son and ripster could talk legos for hours  :)
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Offline maxlugar

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #111 on: Mon, 10 May 2010, 12:04:14 »
Quote from: ripster;180724
You guys are missing the wave.  Big bucks in Lego Porn.  

Stop  buggin me.  I gotta finish up my iPad app.
Show Image


How old did you say your son was SK?

You will probably want to wait until he turns 21 before he has that Lego discussion with Ripster!
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Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #112 on: Wed, 12 May 2010, 21:36:14 »
All done Max!!!   Took just a few minutes.  Here are some before shots:





Messed up small backspace and poorly located |\ key.

Case popped open.  This case squealed like a pig until it popped open.  
Bent tabs on the upper left and the upper right.  Some of these have one bent tab whereas others have two.  





Here's another tip on re-assembly of the case.  Use the screw heads to center things inside the case.  There should be a slight 1/2 moon shape to the left and right of the hex bolts like such:





This will insure that the space bar and the left and right of the keyboard are centered.  Flip board around to check centering.  

All done.  Look at my poor mangled key puller.  Maybe it's time for a new one.



Nibs that should have been there all along on the "F" and "J" keys



The first thing I check when I put everything back together:



All set and ready for battle!!!  



A new look and feel for the "Queen" of Keyboards   :))

Hope you like!!

skc

Offline maxlugar

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #113 on: Wed, 12 May 2010, 22:21:10 »
Awesome!

I can't wait to type on it.  That red Escape key is kinda cool. Wonder where that came from?  :)

I'm typing on a Blue Cherry Filco (FKBN104MC/EB) at the moment and really missing that particular 84-key AT keyboard which is my primary office keyboard.   I'll have to bring another 84-key AT keyboard to the office from my stash at home until I receive my new mod.
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Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #114 on: Wed, 12 May 2010, 22:36:38 »
Quote from: ripster;181749
Haha.  Got me.  I don't have the blue guy.

You don't have Jango Fett???   It's a tough one to find.

Offline iMav

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #115 on: Sun, 16 May 2010, 00:44:47 »
Nice mod.  I don't get special pricing, so I paid $450 for my NIB 'board. :)

This mod gave me a great idea.  I won't be doing this mod exactly, something similar though.

Offline ch_123

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #116 on: Sun, 16 May 2010, 06:18:04 »
Double-space backspace is for the weak.

Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #117 on: Sun, 16 May 2010, 06:42:59 »
I'd like to do a small space bar mod and add two keys to the left and right of the space bar.  Just need to figure out how I'm going to stabilize the space bar??

The AT-F has quickly become my fave mod fodder.

Offline iMav

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« Reply #118 on: Sun, 16 May 2010, 08:05:27 »
Quote from: webwit;182890
Does it involve the Right Shift?

Nope.

Offline skcheng

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #119 on: Sun, 16 May 2010, 08:22:30 »
Quote from: ripster;182908
Cut off that useless numpad!  It doesn't even have an ENTER.


I like the numpad on the AT-F.   I use it quite a bit when I type with the AT-F.   You're SOL if you need numpad and arrow keys though.

Offline iMav

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #120 on: Sat, 29 May 2010, 17:22:32 »
Ok.  I was hoping for a fully emulated HHKB layout (minus the function key layer).

This is what I was aiming for (imagine the backslash key is delete/backspace):



Unfortunately, under OS X, the key above the enter and the original backslash register the exact same scancode.  Soooo, when I remap backslash to delete, it's for both keys.  So this is what I have right now (again, the big backslash is delete (also, the bottom right caps lock has been remapped to Command):



Unicomp is sending me a blackslash key with "Delete" printed on it and a "Return" key to replace the "enter" key.

Offline iMav

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #121 on: Tue, 01 June 2010, 20:42:19 »
Thanks to Unicomp:


Offline maxlugar

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #122 on: Wed, 02 June 2010, 01:05:33 »
Quote from: iMav;188787
Thanks to Unicomp:



Nice!

How do you like the feel of your formerly NIB, newly modded 84-key AT Model F ???
« Last Edit: Wed, 02 June 2010, 01:24:58 by maxlugar »
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Offline iMav

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #123 on: Wed, 02 June 2010, 08:49:01 »
After a few days of using it exclusively, I really like it.  I would have to say from a construction standpoint, it is definitely my favorite buckling spring 'board.  The M2 comes in second.  This is, primarily, due to the ease of serviceability.  Cracking the case of a standard Model M is a pain in the butt.  I like that with both the Model F and M2, you can easily access the BS assemblies without much heartache.

The Model F is definitely addicting to type on...just like any high-quality keyboard.

Offline phoenix

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #124 on: Wed, 02 June 2010, 13:39:45 »
For backspace/delete, I like them without text:

Front: White delete from Wheelwriter 3 (Bad focus. The symbol is sharp.)
Back left: Gray delete from Wheelwriter 1000
Back right: Gray delete from Unicomp

They are all 1.5-sized and fit the [|\] key position.


Offline JBert

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #125 on: Wed, 02 June 2010, 16:41:39 »
Meh, I'm not switching.
IBM Model F XT + Soarer's USB Converter || Cherry G80-3000/Clears

The storage list:
IBM Model F AT || Cherry G80-3000/Blues || Compaq MX11800 (Cherry brown, bizarre layout) || IBM KB-8923 (model M-style RD) || G81-3010 Hxx || BTC 5100C || G81-3000 Sxx || Atari keyboard (?)


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Disclaimer: we don\'t help you save money on [strike]keyboards[/strike] hardware, rather we make you feel less bad about your expense.
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Offline iMav

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #126 on: Mon, 07 June 2010, 16:47:50 »
Getting better:





But man, Unicomp must hate me.  These keys look like complete crap:





Offline ch_123

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #127 on: Mon, 07 June 2010, 16:54:22 »
The lettering on the coloured keycaps I got from Skcheng are all over the place, albeit subtly, but that command key looks pretty dire...

Offline chimera15

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #128 on: Mon, 07 June 2010, 17:10:25 »
I tried using my model f yesterday, and not having a big backspace was a major annoyance, awesome mod.
Alps boards:
white real complicated: 1x modified siiig minitouch kb1903,  hhkb light2 english steampunk hack, wireless siig minitouch hack
white with rubber damper(cream)+clicky springs: 2x modified siig minitouch kb1903 1x modified siig minitouch kb1948
white fake simplified:   1x white smk-85, 1x Steampunk compact board hack
white real simplified: 1x unitek k-258
low profile: 1x mint m1242 in box
black: ultra mini wrist keyboard hack
blue: Japanese hhk2 lite hack, 1x siig minitouch pcb/doubleshot dc-2014 caps. kb1903, 1x modified kb1948 Siig minitouch
rainbow test boards:  mck-84sx


Offline phoenix

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #129 on: Mon, 07 June 2010, 17:45:02 »
Quote from: iMav;190654
But man, Unicomp must hate me.  These keys look like complete crap

My option and command keys look exactly like that.

- Print not level.
- Option and Command are not in the same font size. Command is printed at least 1 size smaller, even though there's plenty of room on the key for Command.
- Arial. Arial !?
- The print is kinda faded, not very black.

Chuck has been so nice I couldn't bring myself to complain about them...

Offline phoenix

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #130 on: Mon, 07 June 2010, 18:06:03 »
Quote from: ripster;190694
Actually I think Chuck is not so subtly telling us that he's not really interested in being in the custom key printing business.

My other keys are fine. Since these are all manually done (especially when you print stuff onto a key of different size), a bit of mis-alignment is inevitable. My green on green Alt keys look perfect. Ctrl keys are also very good. Special items, not so much.

Offline phoenix

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #131 on: Mon, 07 June 2010, 18:27:42 »
Quote from: webwit;190700
I think they mount them all in the same machine, colored ones too, but sometimes they don't mount them well or the machinery is aging. Also the ink is smudgy sometimes. Looks a bit lazy to me. I guess if they make 10, a few are not so good. They should throw these away. The best way to achieve this is by trolling Chuck, by telling him how fantastic Lexmark quality control is.


That's true for normal keys. According to Chuck, if you print Caps Lock on a Tab key, for example, you cannot mount it on the machine. I'm just happy that they are even willing to do it.

Offline kishy

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #132 on: Mon, 07 June 2010, 18:31:18 »
Hmmm...ripster, it seems SKCheng sent you a set of Mini keys (embedded numpad).
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Offline RSA27

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Trouble with the spacebar mod
« Reply #133 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 15:03:23 »
I am having trouble with this mod, specifically the pipe key.  I am in windows, the new backspace works fine, the enter key is fine, but the pipe key does...nothing.
Is there anything you need to do in windows to get it to work?  I got the new keys from clickykeyboards, the stems are identical to the ones original on the model F - I moved the hammer to the right spot, creating two blanks - one beside the backspace and one beside the enter key.

Do i need to remap pipe in windows?
Any help would be appreciated.

Offline HaaTa

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #134 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 15:27:14 »
Autohotkey should do it.

Though first you should probably check if the hammer is properly aligned (e.g. getting a keycode). Dunno how that works in Windows.
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Offline RSA27

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #135 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 15:38:29 »
Aquakeytest shows nothing when i press the key, don't know if that means anything or not.  Not sure how aquakeytest gets the input.
However, I am plugged into a usb port - at->ps2->usb
Maybe this has something to do with it.

Offline RSA27

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #136 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 15:43:19 »
Nothing...deadness...despair...blackness..my clicky spacebar modded, backspace modded AT model F is borked.....
in other words, aquakey doesn't register anything.

so how do I fix it?
« Last Edit: Mon, 13 September 2010, 15:46:35 by RSA27 »

Offline RSA27

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #137 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 15:52:58 »
I'm at work so I don't have a native ps2 port here.  I will bring it home and test on one of my machines with a true legacy port.
No idea if this will have any effect at all.  I will also bust it apart and see if the hammer is misalligned.  Key feels normal when pressed though.  I would think that you could probably tell if the hammer was not aligned by the keypress.  There is not really all that much room to screw up.

If anyone has any ideas, or have seen this problem before, please let me know.

Worst case scenario, I make it normal again...

Offline JohnElliott

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #138 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 16:07:59 »
Quote from: RSA27;222867
However, I am plugged into a usb port - at->ps2->usb
Maybe this has something to do with it.


This is almost certainly it.

PS/2 to USB converters tend to throw away scancodes they don't understand.

Offline RSA27

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #139 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 16:11:45 »
Awesome, thanks.  I'll try a real ps2 port when I get home.

On another note, anyone know where I can get a couple model M spacers?  Would really help my backspace and enter keys.

Offline Daniel Beaver

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #140 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 16:11:49 »
Make sure you put the foam backing in the right way - Metal plate, then foam, then stems, then paddles. When I did this mod, I originally put that back together in the wrong order, so the paddles wouldn't reach all the way to the surface of the PCB (the keys felt like they were triggering, but weren't). Simple mistake, drove me nuts for a couple of hours.

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Offline RSA27

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Model F - Gimme back my Big Backspace Mod
« Reply #141 on: Mon, 13 September 2010, 16:19:53 »
I never actually took the stems out.  I just took the back plate off, moved the hammers, lightened the spacebar spring, and put it back together.  The foam never came off.
Thanks for the reply though.  I'm hoping its because im using a crappy passive usb adapter.

Offline RSA27

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« Reply #142 on: Tue, 14 September 2010, 14:36:17 »
Still doesn't work on a native ps2 port.

I have a question:
Has anyone actually done this mod and used the keyboard with windows?  Has anyone *actually* had windows automagically pick up that scan code and have your pipe key work with no other modifications?

Aquakey doesn't even register an input, so i'm curious if there is just something wrong with the pad on my keyboard, or if this mod doesn't actually work with windows.

Thanks,

Offline HaaTa

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« Reply #143 on: Tue, 14 September 2010, 14:47:30 »
Have you tried opening the board back up, and making sure the hammer is properly placed (a pain, I know)?

If you really do think it's the board, make sure you can trace the circuit on the board back to the controller for the pad.
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Offline RSA27

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« Reply #144 on: Tue, 14 September 2010, 17:52:18 »
Actually I'm thinking it may just be windows.  I will check to see if its the hammer...although I don't think its the pad..everything else on the board works great, and it looked great when I inspected.

I would really like to hear from someone who has ACTUALLY done this mod and is using it with windows.  I Don't remember anyone confirming this works, just some speculation that it "should" work.

Offline sethstorm

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« Reply #145 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 18:17:37 »
Quote from: RSA27;223365
Actually I'm thinking it may just be windows.  I will check to see if its the hammer...although I don't think its the pad..everything else on the board works great, and it looked great when I inspected.

I would really like to hear from someone who has ACTUALLY done this mod and is using it with windows.  I Don't remember anyone confirming this works, just some speculation that it "should" work.


Can't vouch for an AT F, but I can vouch for its Terminal Board F cousin that returns the same 0x75 keycode.  Remapped it with KeyTweak, works nicely as the proper backslash key.
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IBM: Model F: 6110668 Terminal 122 key with Trackpoint and M13 blacks
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Offline Daniel Beaver

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« Reply #146 on: Sat, 25 September 2010, 02:24:57 »
Way back in February, ch_123 posted this:

Quote
It is theoretically possible to mod the keyboard to have a standard sized space bar and two Alt keys flanking it. However, you'd have to a) cut out two holes in the plate to make room for the barrels for the extra Alt keys, and b) find some way of holding the stabilizer bar for a Model M space bar.


I had also noticed this when first opening it up, so I decided to try modifying the board so as to add in the extra modifier keys on the bottom. The Model F AT has switch plates in the correct locations for this to work.



Here is a Model M spacebar, with flanking alt keys, all mounted on model F stems.



Oh damn, perfect fit. The case only needs a bit of dremeling to fit the stems, and I can superglue some plastic slots for the spacebar stabilizer bar. This should work. Except...

Those switches under the alt keys? They do not return any scan codes. At all. In fact, they are the only switches on the board that do not return scan codes.

****.

For now, this mod looks dead in the water. The board controller probably picks these up fine, but it seems that for some reason it does not get sent on to the computer.

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Offline HaaTa

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« Reply #147 on: Sat, 25 September 2010, 08:34:53 »
Interesting...

Thanks for trying it out though.
And since I never did get around showing the split keys I did before (did this back in late June):





I really need to get some better keycaps, but for now it's ok.

Sometime in the future, when I get my stuff organized, I'll post the scancodes, and interesting keyboard layouts for it (e.g. maps for loadkeys, XModMap, and xkb).
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Offline ch_123

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« Reply #148 on: Sat, 25 September 2010, 08:57:48 »
@Daniel Beaver - did you connect the keyboard to the computer you were testing the keyboard with directly to a PS/2 or AT port, or did you use a USB adapter? USB adapters can sometimes drop certain non-standard scancodes.

Offline kishy

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« Reply #149 on: Sat, 25 September 2010, 10:52:32 »
One thing that could be done, in the interest of general knowledge I suppose, would be to use a multimeter and see if those particular (non-code-sending) pads trace back to any of the wires that go to the controller.

If so, then the controller is designed simply not to associate them with a code. If not, it's a physical variation for whatever reason.
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