geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: EverythingIBM on Mon, 21 June 2010, 23:30:42

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Mon, 21 June 2010, 23:30:42

I thought of a funny idea.

Alright, for a model F XT keyboard if you stick on an AT to PS/2, then, stick on a PS/2 to USB -- if the USB converter could do something with the XT signal?

I don't have a PS/2 to USB converter (although I should look into a blue cube some time in the future), so, I can't test this out. Anyone else willing to give it a try?

Because there are so many different PS/2 to USB converters, I'm wondering if an XT signal could be "converted" by any of them -- if there's a chance of it being possible.

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: maxlugar on Tue, 22 June 2010, 01:54:00

Quote from: EverythingIBM;195376

I thought of a funny idea.

Alright, for a model F XT keyboard if you stick on an AT to PS/2, then, stick on a PS/2 to USB -- if the USB converter could do something with the XT signal?

I don't have a PS/2 to USB converter (although I should look into a blue cube some time in the future), so, I can't test this out. Anyone else willing to give it a try?

Because there are so many different PS/2 to USB converters, I'm wondering if an XT signal could be "converted" by any of them -- if there's a chance of it being possible.

Maybe you'll get lucky and find a blue cube USB converter in the rubbish bin tomorrow.  Then you could put your brilliant hypothesis to the test!

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: trievalot on Tue, 22 June 2010, 05:22:20

hang on.....ill try
BRB

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 22 June 2010, 05:25:30

Ah come on, don't spoil the fun!

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: trievalot on Tue, 22 June 2010, 05:28:57

nope.....nothing


AT F works
XF F - not even a keystroke

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 22 June 2010, 05:31:53

Who ever could have foreseen that a PS/2 to USB adapter could not work with a PS/2 incompatible keyboard?

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: trievalot on Tue, 22 June 2010, 05:32:22

HANG ON
It just started working, and it has a windows key, and caps/scroll lights, and an awesome trackball!!!!

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 22 June 2010, 05:36:06

(http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/pckeyboards_2097_1404500)

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: trievalot on Tue, 22 June 2010, 05:39:31

bit more like this actually.......as IF it would change colour.....thats just silly

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 22 June 2010, 05:48:21

The logo changed from aluminium to plastic!

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: Half-Saint on Tue, 22 June 2010, 06:33:44

I'm sorry but this has to be the worst idea of all times!

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: kriminal on Tue, 22 June 2010, 09:27:33

haha

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 22 June 2010, 14:50:17

Quote from: ripster;195458

The OP has had many worse.

At least this time he didn't give it as advice to noobies.

Maybe it works with the IBM PC300?

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: kishy on Tue, 22 June 2010, 15:47:37

I literally just facepalmed.

Cheers Geekhack.

Title: Model F (XT) to USB?
Post by: ricercar on Wed, 23 June 2010, 13:23:03

Quote from: ripster;195390

Let me guess.  You're an English Major.

Hey, I was an English major and even I don't understand the OP. I know what he's trying to do, but the post isn't telling me how.

Title: Not as improbable as rip might have us think...
Post by: dfj on Thu, 24 June 2010, 01:09:08

Quote from: EverythingIBM;195376

I thought of a funny idea.

Alright, for a model F XT keyboard if you stick on an AT to PS/2, then, stick on a PS/2 to USB -- if the USB converter could do something with the XT signal?

I don't have a PS/2 to USB converter (although I should look into a blue cube some time in the future), so, I can't test this out. Anyone else willing to give it a try?

Because there are so many different PS/2 to USB converters, I'm wondering if an XT signal could be "converted" by any of them -- if there's a chance of it being possible.

  Feeding ze troll:

 I think the easiest way to connect to a PC is via something similar to sethstorm's  driver replacement trick for 122s.
  As far as USB goes, yer going to have to wait a bit for our open source drivers to mature then build yerself an adapter. The protocol on the F is different than the one on the PS2, so none of the (cheap or otherwise) PS2->USB adapters will work.
  If I remember:  the XT uses 'scancode page 1' as the protocol, while PS2 keyboards use page 2, and the IBM 122 key keyboards (both F and M) use page 3. Electrically, they are all very similar, though - and the same low-level code can be used to handle the bunch of them - provided it is wise enough to not freak out about a few timing differences.

  Quite frankly, page 1 and three are both sane, while it is 2 that is bizarre, but the world went with 2, sadly. I am not aware of any commercially  available ps2 to USB adapters that support page 1 or 3, currently.

  We are working on one here (myself, seth, mnemonix, and (what happened to thedward?) and grrr someone else - I'll edit shortly once I find the posts ).

  Anyway, now that I have some 122 F's to play with I'll be making _some_ progress very shortly, at least.

dfj