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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: vivithemaeg on Wed, 03 August 2011, 04:21:21

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: vivithemaeg on Wed, 03 August 2011, 04:21:21

Hi all,

I recently purchased an IBM model M (1391401 (white label)) from clickykeyboards.com and the reccomended active ps2 to usb converter. However, the problem is that if I plug the keyboard in with the converter attatched, the Num lock lights up and it works perfectly fine, but after a while it just stops working and the caps lock and scroll lock led's light up. Any subsequent attempts at removing and inserting the usb results in the keyboard still not functioning and then if I leave it for a day and plug it in, it does the exact same, works for a while then stops.

I initally thought it could be something to do with the os but the same thing occurs in bios and I've enabled legacy usb support. I wouldn't have thought that clicky keyboards sent be a faulty keyboard as they appear to test them beforehand with the same converter I have. Also I've tried this keyboard on a few machines and the same outcome always occurs. I'd really appriciate any help, otherwise I'll have to send it back :(. Any help is greatly appriciated. Thanks.

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: kaiserreich on Wed, 03 August 2011, 05:04:49

does it work properly when you plug it into a PS2 port ?

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: mr626 on Wed, 03 August 2011, 05:07:46

Have you tried using it without the convertor (ie straight ps2)?

Ha, beaten by 3 seconds.

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 03 August 2011, 07:06:56

Sounds more like a converter problem than a keyboard problem - dead Model M controllers are very rare indeed.

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: jpc on Wed, 03 August 2011, 08:56:03

ch_123 is right. I've never seen a dead Model M controller (or a working M2 controller for that matter.)

Still-- if it misbehaves with no PS2/USB converter, on multiple computers, the controller is bad.

With luck, clickykeyboards has a pile of good controllers that came out of too-trashed-to-sell Model Ms and they could send you one. The controllers are not all identical; take a pic of yours to identify the right replacement.

You need a 5.5mm nut driver. (http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-26555-Precision-Driver-Metric/dp/B000O5EG42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1286904125&sr=1-1) :)

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: vivithemaeg on Wed, 03 August 2011, 08:56:29

Thanks for your replies. Yeah, I tried it on ps2 alone and that gives no response whatsoever. Also I tried the converter on a newer ps2 keyboard and that works fine.

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: jpc on Wed, 03 August 2011, 08:58:00

Could also be a bad SDL cable maybe? I've never seen one of those either.

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 03 August 2011, 09:37:55

Give it a try on another computer's native PS/2 port if you can. Some motherboards are not compatible with some older PS/2 keyboards.

Title: Need advice for IBM model M problem
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 03 August 2011, 09:40:20

Quote from: ripster;392232

Welcome to Geekhack.

See the PS/2 Compatibility Wiki - Sig>Wiki>PS/2 Compatibility Wiki.

They should just stick your sig up as a banner ad.