Print Page - Picked up another Model M from 1985

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: KillerBee on Wed, 13 October 2010, 00:27:07

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 13 October 2010, 00:27:07

There was another 102 Key terminal IBM Model M 1386304 from Sept 1985 listed on EBAY with a BIN of 85.00 or better offer.

I saw in the history that there had been a declined offer, so I thought to myself... Either someone made a cheap offer or this guy knows what he has.

I took a deep breath and said 35.00 and it was accepted.

looking to do the same as with the June 1985 model perform a controller swap and bingo

I have 4 very early Ms NOW

June 1985
Sept 1985
Feb 1986
May 1986

The MAY 1986 model m will go on sale! (I am not looking to get much for it, PM me and she is yours)

I am really liking the feel of these early M's

I am currently typing with the FEB 86 and she feels fantastic even better than all my other Model M's!

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 13 October 2010, 15:51:18

JPC is sending me a controller so I can convert it.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Tue, 19 October 2010, 23:04:33

I received today the SEPT 1985 model M

Key differences from JULY 1985 to SEPT 1985

The back plate is in a lighter grey tone
The plate where the keys sit is White not Black
The keys on the Sept are two piece whereas the July are one piece
The backplate label has a handwritten M instead of F crossed out for M

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 01:12:02

did the controller swap and it did not work properly as with the June 85 model.

I connect the controller into the Sept 85 M and she shoots a string of enters and left arrow keys.

She does not allow me to write without pushing the cursor back constantly and she only registers certain keys.

I tested with 4 different controllers and still the same problem.

Im thinking maybe wrong scancode?

or...

some key caps where wet underneith and this has lead me to believe the seller has washed this model m.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 09:50:22

upon more testig she allows me to do

asdfghjkl but not querty, also for the numpad I can only do 1,4,7 as per the rest are not responsive.

backspace does not work either.

I spent all night last night switching between controllers and nothing.

Im thinking of buying another 102 key and swapping plates and springs.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: keyb_gr on Wed, 20 October 2010, 11:09:16

Quote from: KillerBee;236255

I connect the controller into the Sept 85 M and she shoots a string of enters and left arrow keys.

[...]

some key caps where wet underneith and this has lead me to believe the seller has washed this model m.

I think the cause is clear at this point. Seems like a good time for a nuts/bolts mod.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 17:05:07

Malcolm Lowry my new bud from FL has agreed to sell me the membrane of his 102 key terminal keyboard.

I am very hopeful to get this now FRANKEN Board to work

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 17:45:59

The seller of the keyboard was nice enough to refund me 20.00 so that I could buy the membrane from Malcolm

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: jpc on Wed, 20 October 2010, 17:54:39

I love the handwritten "M" on the sticker.

Sadly you'll need to damage that sticker to bolt mod it. It looks like only two rivets are under the sticker. If you X-acto around them, maybe you can save most of the sticker. Good luck with it.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: keyb_gr on Wed, 20 October 2010, 18:53:47

I'd think taking the membranes apart and letting things dry may already work (there's no real way for any liquid to escape otherwise), but a new set certainly can't hurt in case it doesn't.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: jpc on Wed, 20 October 2010, 19:21:35

Quote from: keyb_gr;236558

I'd think taking the membranes apart and letting things dry may already work (there's no real way for any liquid to escape otherwise), but a new set certainly can't hurt in case it doesn't.

I was thinking the same thing, the existing membranes may be okay when dry.

If the membranes look dirty, it's safe to wash them under gentle running water and lay them on a towel to dry. I've done it. One of my Ms had discolored sticky membranes. Water got them clean in a few seconds. I sure hope that was just old soda pop.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 19:53:01

Quote from: jpc;236534

I love the handwritten "M" on the sticker.

Sadly you'll need to damage that sticker to bolt mod it. It looks like only two rivets are under the sticker. If you X-acto around them, maybe you can save most of the sticker. Good luck with it.

Luckily I still own THIS GUY!!

Model F crossed out the F to write M (very kick @ss)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4932987779_7178a962a8_b.jpg)

The proof is in the pudding
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4932984489_e403166e0c_b.jpg)

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 22:07:41

Do you guys believe in miracles?

Guess with who I am typing the post with?

YUP you guessed it the 1985 Sept board. Funny thing was I ran an Aqua Test and she showed enter 0 and left shift as pressed keys as soon as I hit ESC it cleared up and the only key that shows as not working or GREY is the numerical enter key.

I guess I can live with that. Eventhough I like to use that enter alot.

As for the membrane Malcolm sent me I am planning to convert my last M (Feb 1986) into a 102-Key terminal like her other model m siblings.

I still have to sort some bugs out as she still sending me 0's once in a while throught this post which I have erased.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 22:28:45

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666660000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000066666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

I left her alone for a sec and this is what she did

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: jpc on Wed, 20 October 2010, 23:14:02

You might have a short under the numpad.

I have no idea about how to get that water out. Other than a bolt mod. BTW the bolt mod is way more fun than it has any right to be.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: TexasFlood on Wed, 20 October 2010, 23:16:13

Quote from: ripster;236631

666... sign of the DEVIL!

Time for the EXORCIST!!!

Oh MAAAAAXXXXX!
Show Image
(http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/WanadooFilms/Thriller/ExorcistChris_FatherMerrin.jpg)

Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.
Father Damien Karras: You would like that?
Demon: Intensely.
Father Damien Karras: But wouldn't that drive you out of Regan?
Demon: It would bring us together.
Father Damien Karras: You and Regan?
Demon: You and us.
Father Merrin: Especially important is the warning to avoid conversations with the demon.
We may ask what is relevant but anything beyond that is dangerous.
He is a liar. The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us.
But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us.
The attack is psychological, Damien, and powerful.
So don't listen to him. Remember that - do not listen.
Demon: Your mother's in here. Would you like to leave a message? I'll see that she gets it.
(http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/20/article-1282292500638-003095E300000258-972636_466x310.jpg)

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 23:29:06

MMM... Bolt Mod?

I dont know If I am fit for the job JPC... sounds very tempting

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Wed, 20 October 2010, 23:31:14

but as the STARTREK folk say she is dead let her go

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: TexasFlood on Thu, 21 October 2010, 00:06:45

Quote from: ripster;236640

Well, I have a Baaaaad feeling about this one.

It's worse than dead. It's BRAIN is gone!

I'm willing to be the fascination is over before this video.

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Thu, 21 October 2010, 11:39:17

Clicky Clicky CRACK CRACK

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: KillerBee on Thu, 21 October 2010, 13:18:22

Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy I liked that show.

I used to watch the reruns Nick at Night did in the mid 90's

Title: Picked up another Model M from 1985
Post by: jpc on Thu, 21 October 2010, 14:25:39

Quote from: kishy;236736

I'm not sure a bolt mod on one that old is a good idea...that plastic panel will break into itty bitty pieces...

I have bolt modded 3 boards from 1987 and one from 1986 without cracking the plate.

I broke one barrel plate -- also from 1987 -- and this one had been flexing in place for some time due to many missing rivets. I think it was unusually brittle to begin with.