geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Pixel_Outlaw on Sat, 08 January 2011, 02:35:10
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I picked up this keyboard for a dollar today at a thrift shop. It is mechanical, and clicky. I think these switches might be white ALPS. The keys appear to be double shot with an odd RED lettered escape key.
Some odd facts.
1. Does not seem to work with Adesso PS/2 to USB adapter which is odd as my model Ms do. However it DOES work if plugged directly into the PS/2 port.
2. Notice the odd switch on the bottom. I have no idea what this thing does as I have not moved it. What on earth is that little switch?
It is Labeled like this
A
] <-Toggle slide switch
X
2
3
Only the first slot has a switch inside.
It is clicky for sure and nice to use.
(http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9018/dsc00542s.jpg)
(http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/3605/dsc00541m.jpg)
(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/9236/dsc00540p.jpg)
(http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/561/dsc00539ze.jpg)
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Looks like ALPs (I'll let others tell you what kind).
The switch probably has to do with setting XT/AT/Autodetect.
Edit: Looking at the label, it looks like a Focus board (not that familar with them though).
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The escape is labeled "IBI 6" on the switch if that helps.
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Hmm, that means it's one of the knock-offs (some of them are actually really good).
I'm too tired (it's 1 AM) to, but you might be able find something on the ALPs wiki page (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=ALPS+switches#Switches+that+LOOK+like+ALPS).
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Looks similar to a Focus FK-2001.
Link (http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/focus2001.html)
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I'm betting the switch is AT/XT/"PS/2 scancode set 2"/"PS/2 scancode set 3" or whatever they are properly called.
I seem to recall few (if any) keyboards actually use set 3.
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I think you've pretty much nailed this down. How are Focus boards regarded?
The switches in this sure sound a lot like my round white SMK switches. I actually kind of am addicted to finding unknown clicky keyboards. It seems that there are endless makes and models beyond the norm which is good news for people who enjoy them. I have the feeling that mechanical keyboards had a bigger share of the market in the 90's than previously thought because I keep finding oddball generic ones.