Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[greath]

I have acquired a Phantom style TKL plate (after a LOT of searching) and have Gaterons and springs in on the way. Should I put the plate in my Filco or is there a "better" option around/on the horizon that I should save the TKL plate for?

[CPTBadAss]

I have acquired a Phantom style TKL plate (after a LOT of searching) and have Gaterons and springs in on the way. Should I put the plate in my Filco or is there a "better" option around/on the horizon that I should save the TKL plate for?

I mean TKL is a really popular layout so there's a very good chance something cool will come out.

[greath]

I have acquired a Phantom style TKL plate (after a LOT of searching) and have Gaterons and springs in on the way. Should I put the plate in my Filco or is there a "better" option around/on the horizon that I should save the TKL plate for?

I mean TKL is a really popular layout so there's a very good chance something cool will come out.

I'm not super familiar with custom boards. I'd love something like a KMAC. Do customs generally come with plates that allow switch top removal? If not do you think there is a good possibility that the phantom plate would fit into such a custom?

[CPTBadAss]

I'm not super familiar with custom boards. I'd love something like a KMAC.

1) Do customs generally come with plates that allow switch top removal?
2) If not do you think there is a good possibility that the phantom plate would fit into such a custom?

1) Many Korean customs don't allow for switch top removal because they feel that it feels more solid to keep the switch holes square.
2) Um...I don't know. I know that the Phantom PCB was specifically designed to fit in a Filco case. I believe my TKL plate will fit in a Leopold but I don't know about customs.

[njbair]

I have acquired a Phantom style TKL plate (after a LOT of searching) and have Gaterons and springs in on the way. Should I put the plate in my Filco or is there a "better" option around/on the horizon that I should save the TKL plate for?

I mean TKL is a really popular layout so there's a very good chance something cool will come out.

I'm not super familiar with custom boards. I'd love something like a KMAC. Do customs generally come with plates that allow switch top removal? If not do you think there is a good possibility that the phantom plate would fit into such a custom?

So there are two TKL customs coming up for GB soon, the Orion V2 and the Hubble Mira. Both come with a plate. I think that's pretty normal.

[quochung1989]

More

Why leeku pcb not working on 64 bit?

Mine works fine for me

 Can you show me?

Um, I mean I can take a picture of aquakeytest for you but I just plugged mine in and it had the basic firmware loaded. And my leeku is at work so you'd have to wait. I'm not sure how else I can help since I've never had any problems with it.

I am very stupid, my bad. I forgot restart my computer after I connected PS2. Lol 

[CPTBadAss]

More

Why leeku pcb not working on 64 bit?

Mine works fine for me

 Can you show me?

Um, I mean I can take a picture of aquakeytest for you but I just plugged mine in and it had the basic firmware loaded. And my leeku is at work so you'd have to wait. I'm not sure how else I can help since I've never had any problems with it.

I am very stupid, my bad. I forgot restart my computer after I connected PS2. Lol 

But I love easy fixes! No need to feel stupid! Glad it's working

[quochung1989]

More

Why leeku pcb not working on 64 bit?

Mine works fine for me

 Can you show me?

Um, I mean I can take a picture of aquakeytest for you but I just plugged mine in and it had the basic firmware loaded. And my leeku is at work so you'd have to wait. I'm not sure how else I can help since I've never had any problems with it.

I am very stupid, my bad. I forgot restart my computer after I connected PS2. Lol 

But I love easy fixes! No need to feel stupid! Glad it's working

Yes. I am very happy because it is working. Anyway, thanks.

[Melvang]

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

[Evo_Spec]

Hey guys, so yesterday I asked if I could test the smd led's on my nerd TKL with a power bank but when I tried none of the lights turned on so I think they're set off.

So my question is, does anyone know what the key stroke is to turn them on? I'm pretty sure it can be done hardware wise and not only a computer right?

Try Pause and Escape. That's how my Leeku's PCB changes the LED lighting mods. Or maybe insert. Seems like a lot of customs utilize the mostly "useless" keys. But I'm not 100% sure.

Thanks for the answer, I tried escape and pause and I'm pretty sure I tried escape and insert (after re-reading your message I'm not sure XD) but they didn't work so I'm just gonna go to work early tomorrow and use the computer laptop lol.

My NerD TKL is not assembled yet but you should take a look at that video (~3:23) :

Try FN1 key (*) + S

(*) by default it's your right Windows key

Thanks man, I'll try this out and report back later.

Reporting back, success!!!

I also found after watching another video that fn1 + F is for the top LED's probably for, "Front LED's" since S is for side led's

I actually also brought it to work and put the led's to breathing mode while screwing up the other modes but it's fine since I'm pretty sure I could watch this thing all night.....

Thanks LPWL, I'm done mine now so you can start your XD

[CPTBadAss]

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

I know mkawa worked with them to make the Red Alert and Olivetti colorways available as well as the Geekhack side legend caps. And I thought someone did media keys with them like play and pause.

[njbair]

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

I know mkawa worked with them to make the Red Alert and Olivetti colorways available as well as the Geekhack side legend caps. And I thought someone did media keys with them like play and pause.

They're single piece caps, not two pieces right?

[CPTBadAss]

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

I know mkawa worked with them to make the Red Alert and Olivetti colorways available as well as the Geekhack side legend caps. And I thought someone did media keys with them like play and pause.

They're single piece caps, not two pieces right?

The Geekhack caps I have are two piece caps.

[Melvang]

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

I know mkawa worked with them to make the Red Alert and Olivetti colorways available as well as the Geekhack side legend caps. And I thought someone did media keys with them like play and pause.

Thanks CBA, I was debating on seeing if they would be willing to do something like this on a set of caps.  Plus it looks like they are getting the ability to do single piece keys.

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

I know mkawa worked with them to make the Red Alert and Olivetti colorways available as well as the Geekhack side legend caps. And I thought someone did media keys with them like play and pause.

They're single piece caps, not two pieces right?

As far as I know all Unicomp keys are two piece aside from stabilized keys.

[njbair]

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

I know mkawa worked with them to make the Red Alert and Olivetti colorways available as well as the Geekhack side legend caps. And I thought someone did media keys with them like play and pause.

Thanks CBA, I was debating on seeing if they would be willing to do something like this on a set of caps.  Plus it looks like they are getting the ability to do single piece keys.

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

I know mkawa worked with them to make the Red Alert and Olivetti colorways available as well as the Geekhack side legend caps. And I thought someone did media keys with them like play and pause.

They're single piece caps, not two pieces right?

As far as I know all Unicomp keys are two piece aside from stabilized keys.

Has anyone done a group buy with Unicomp for a set of custom legends caps?

I know mkawa worked with them to make the Red Alert and Olivetti colorways available as well as the Geekhack side legend caps. And I thought someone did media keys with them like play and pause.

They're single piece caps, not two pieces right?

The Geekhack caps I have are two piece caps.

Wow I didn't realize this. That's pretty cool to hear. So then I am most likely going to order a custom replacement set for my SSK.

[Lain1911]

When dealing with PS/2 hookups, is it normal for a keyboard not to work in a combined mouse/keyboard hookup compared to a separate mouse and keyboard hookups?

[SpAmRaY]

When dealing with PS/2 hookups, is it normal for a keyboard not to work in a combined mouse/keyboard hookup compared to a separate mouse and keyboard hookups?

Not sure exactly what your asking but do remember typically you always have to restart for PS/2 to be recognized as it isn't plug and play like USB.

[Melvang]

When dealing with PS/2 hookups, is it normal for a keyboard not to work in a combined mouse/keyboard hookup compared to a separate mouse and keyboard hookups?

Are you referring to having both a PS/2 mouse and keyboard plugged into the same port on the PC, or their respective ports individually.  Also, do not hot plug PS/2 devices, there is a risk of frying the device, lesser risk these days then years ago, but still possible. 

And like spamray mentioned, PS/2 is not plug and play.

[njbair]

When dealing with PS/2 hookups, is it normal for a keyboard not to work in a combined mouse/keyboard hookup compared to a separate mouse and keyboard hookups?

Not sure exactly what your asking but do remember typically you always have to restart for PS/2 to be recognized as it isn't plug and play like USB.

I've never had to reboot while using a USB adapter. I hotplug all the time. I'm not arguing but just curious if you can actually confirm this remains an issue with some PS/2 over USB adapters.

When dealing with PS/2 hookups, is it normal for a keyboard not to work in a combined mouse/keyboard hookup compared to a separate mouse and keyboard hookups?

Are you referring to having both a PS/2 mouse and keyboard plugged into the same port on the PC, or their respective ports individually.  Also, do not hot plug PS/2 devices, there is a risk of frying the device, lesser risk these days then years ago, but still possible. 

And like spamray mentioned, PS/2 is not plug and play.

I have never heard of any kind of risk like that when using a USB adapter, I would assume since USB ports tend to be pretty well-regulated power sources. FWIW, as I mentioned above, I regularly hotplug my Model M's and other PS/2 boards into my USB adapter without any trouble. Should I stop this habit ASAP?

[Melvang]

If you are using a USB adapter then you are ok.

[CPTBadAss]

When dealing with PS/2 hookups, is it normal for a keyboard not to work in a combined mouse/keyboard hookup compared to a separate mouse and keyboard hookups?

I never had any issues with either one.

[ctm]

How is the shift combined characters (e.g. !@#$%, from shift with number keys) sent? Does the keyboard determined what character it is and send the character? Or does the keyboard only sends shift and the original key, and the OS determines what character that is?

[user 18]

How is the shift combined characters (e.g. !@#$%, from shift with number keys) sent? Does the keyboard determined what character it is and send the character? Or does the keyboard only sends shift and the original key, and the OS determines what character that is?

The keyboard sends shift and the scancode for the key pressed. Note that shift is sent as a modifier, rather than having a "shift scancode" sent to the computer.

[Melvang]

How is the shift combined characters (e.g. !@#$%, from shift with number keys) sent? Does the keyboard determined what character it is and send the character? Or does the keyboard only sends shift and the original key, and the OS determines what character that is?

The keyboard sends shift and the scan code for the key pressed. Note that shift is sent as a modifier, rather than having a "shift scancode" sent to the computer.

I just want to add to this, I have an orbweaver, and a naga epic with the 12 buttons on the side of the mouse.  These show up as a keyboard to the computer, and there is a switch to allow either number row or number pad scan codes.  Modifiers will cross devices, IE if I have the naga buttons set as number row, hold shift on the orbweaver, and press 2, I get @ on the computer.  Same works from the regular keyboard to the orbweaver or naga.  Works with all modifiers and caps lock.

[Eszett]

Hi! question: when I have a mini keyboard without function key row, where F1 is accessed via Fn+"1", F2 via Fn+"2" ... etc., does that mean the combination of Alt + Fn + 4 succeeds in resolving to Alt-F4? Or is this a naive fallacy?

[Zustiur]

It should work. My ergodox handles alt f4 that way.

[Eszett]

Hi there Zustiur. Thanks, I hope so!

[katushkin]

My V60 mini works the same way with Ctrl + Alt + Fn + Backspace

[JWK]

There are people in this community working behind the scenes to bring Korean-quality offerings to GH, but it takes a little while to get those things started. Hopefully, once those projects start to become reality, we will see even more of them coming along.

This has also been enabled by the availability of CAD tools that tightly integrate with the manufacturer.  I've been impressed with with speed, quality, and price of the prototype PCBs, plates, and cases posted on this board. 

[Ludovician]

So, for once I see someone selling a bunch of keyboards and I was wondering if these were mechanical. I'm obviously certain that the Microsoft and Lenovo ones aren't, but how about the Wyse and Sun ones? http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE5OVgxNjAw/z/tfEAAOSweW5VJQgl/$_20.JPG

Unfortunately this is the best picture the seller has of those two.

[CPTBadAss]

So, for once I see someone selling a bunch of keyboards and I was wondering if these were mechanical. I'm obviously certain that the Microsoft and Lenovo ones aren't, but how about the Wyse and Sun ones? http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE5OVgxNjAw/z/tfEAAOSweW5VJQgl/$_20.JPG

Unfortunately this is the best picture the seller has of those two.

I don't know about Sun. The WYSE one doesn't like the normal ones that have the MX Blacks in them. I'd go with no.

[jdcarpe]

So, for once I see someone selling a bunch of keyboards and I was wondering if these were mechanical. I'm obviously certain that the Microsoft and Lenovo ones aren't, but how about the Wyse and Sun ones? http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE5OVgxNjAw/z/tfEAAOSweW5VJQgl/$_20.JPG

Unfortunately this is the best picture the seller has of those two.

Pretty sure those are all rubber dome.

[Ludovician]

Well, it was worth checking out.

Thanks, guys. On another note, I saw someone selling a 1988 Model M missing keycaps for $35 AUD. Unfortunately he's in another state so I'll have to see if he's willing to post it. Wish me luck.

[Rose]

First Question
I realize that my matrix wiring may be cleaner if I rotate a couple switches so there pins are along a different edge.  These switches will go under 1 x 1.25 DSA PBT keycaps.  Will rotating the switch necessarily rotate the key?  i.e. Can a keycap be popped off, rotated 90 degrees, and put back on?  The switches are Cherry MX.

Second Question
Does everyone always wire their matrix so that the columns receive the signal and the rows transmit it back if a key is pressed?  Does it make a difference which is connected to receive and which is sending back to the controller?

[CPTBadAss]

First Question
I realize that my matrix wiring may be cleaner if I rotate a couple switches so there pins are along a different edge.  These switches will go under 1 x 1.25 DSA PBT keycaps.  Will rotating the switch necessarily rotate the key?  i.e. Can a keycap be popped off, rotated 90 degrees, and put back on?  The switches are Cherry MX.

Second Question
Does everyone always wire their matrix so that the columns receive the signal and the rows transmit it back if a key is pressed?  Does it make a difference which is connected to receive and which is sending back to the controller?

1) Yes, you can rotate the switch and it will not affect how the keycap sits on the switch.
2) I'm not sure but I would guess that it does matter.

[user 18]

First Question
I realize that my matrix wiring may be cleaner if I rotate a couple switches so there pins are along a different edge.  These switches will go under 1 x 1.25 DSA PBT keycaps.  Will rotating the switch necessarily rotate the key?  i.e. Can a keycap be popped off, rotated 90 degrees, and put back on?  The switches are Cherry MX.

Second Question
Does everyone always wire their matrix so that the columns receive the signal and the rows transmit it back if a key is pressed?  Does it make a difference which is connected to receive and which is sending back to the controller?

1) Yes, you can rotate the switch and it will not affect how the keycap sits on the switch.
2) I'm not sure but I would guess that it does matter.

It shouldn't matter, so long as you have your firmware set up to match your matrix. You're just closing a circuit, when the switch is down the circuit is closed regardless. You do need to have your diodes in the proper orientation, to match the direction of current flow.

[hasu]

First Question
I realize that my matrix wiring may be cleaner if I rotate a couple switches so there pins are along a different edge.  These switches will go under 1 x 1.25 DSA PBT keycaps.  Will rotating the switch necessarily rotate the key?  i.e. Can a keycap be popped off, rotated 90 degrees, and put back on?  The switches are Cherry MX.

Second Question
Does everyone always wire their matrix so that the columns receive the signal and the rows transmit it back if a key is pressed?  Does it make a difference which is connected to receive and which is sending back to the controller?

1) Yes, you can rotate the switch and it will not affect how the keycap sits on the switch.

Right, but you should note some keycaps are very tight on 90 deg rotated switches. Komar's GH60 rev.A PCB had 90 deg switches but he removed those from later versions due to this problem.

My cheap PokerX keycaps had no problem but precious genuine Dolch keycaps were very tight on rotated switches and I didn't want to use them on the PCB

[Eszett]

I'm trying to open a PCB-mount MX Switch and plastic is bending and breaking, does the LED prevent the switch from opening?

[CPTBadAss]

I'm trying to open a PCB-mount MX Switch and plastic is bending and breaking, does the LED prevent the switch from opening?

Absolutely. You need to desolder the LEDs first. There should be nothing in the disassembly process of a keyboard that is so hard to take apart, things are breaking.

[Eszett]

Oh my god. For what reason did you do that, Cherry? And I bought this PCB-mount-keyboard in the hope to get an easy solution. :-(

[CPTBadAss]

Oh my god. For what reason did you do that, Cherry? And I bought this PCB-mount-keyboard in the hope to get an easy solution. :-(

I'm sure Cherry didn't think of the enthusiasts when they made these. Probably didn't anticipate people modifying boards like we do.

[Eszett]

You are probably right, it's sad. Anyway, thank you, Captain Badass!

[ctm]

How is fn combination sent? From what I know the keyboard controller sees that fn and the other key are both pressed and then send the corresponding character to OS. But why some remap software able to make use of fn key?

[jonathanyu]

What program and tools do I need to draw a plate for pcb?

[Joey Quinn]

What program and tools do I need to draw a plate for pcb?

I use autocad but Swill's plate builder will work.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65189.0

[CPTBadAss]

What program and tools do I need to draw a plate for pcb?

I use autocad but Swill's plate builder will work.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65189.0

Autodesk Inventor, FreeCAD, ProEngineer, and SolidWorks are all options too. Inventor and FreeCAD are free. But swill's tool is probably easiest.

[nickheller]

I am thinking about getting a Ducky YOTH Mini, is there another 60% available now with a nice case like that for under 170$? I was considering the normal mini but can not find the gray case version with browns in stock.

[Firebolt1914]

Should all(or most) old terminal wyse keyboards have vintage blacks? I'm thinking about grabbing one for that purpose.

[njbair]

Should all(or most) old terminal wyse keyboards have vintage blacks? I'm thinking about grabbing one for that purpose.

I'm wondering the same thing about AEKII's and orange Alps.

[fohat.digs]

I'm wondering the same thing about AEKII's and orange Alps.

My experience has been that approximately the first half of the production run of AEKs (not AEK2s) 0 > 1/2M are orange and the 2nd half 1/2M > 1M are salmon (aka pink) Alps.

Apparently, some or all of the earliest AEK2s (1989 copyright) are salmon, the bulk (1990 copyright) are dampened cream, and the last (1995 copyright) are dampened white.

These are all fuzzy approximations, don't get mad at me if they are wrong.

The M0116s that I have had were also orange, but you don't get a full set.