geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Jack on Wed, 16 November 2011, 19:08:22
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http://uiu.me/EnQl.jpg
http://uiu.me/zBEl.jpg
http://uiu.me/0hVL.jpg
http://uiu.me/vR6r.jpg
http://uiu.me/HA6L.jpg
Work was going to scrap this (hence the X) so I asked if I could take it home and try to repair it. The Russian told me I could keep it, and it turns out to work just fine, except that the trackpad doesn't work (computer doesn't detect another pointing device). I'm not sure how it's supposed to, since there's only one PS/2 connector on the thing.
White clicky ALPS. Green ALPS on all the * Lock keys. I've mostly only typed on Topre and buckling springs so this is a new one to me.
Anyone have any idea what it is? Searches for 'alps keyboard +inet' and 'white alps keyboard trackpad|touchpad' turned up nothing like this. I've seen the logo on some of the other hardware we get around here but I don't recognize it.
Thanks.
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I think it might have been on what I like to call "a portable desktop" I can't remember what it was called though, cand can't find a picture of the damn thing.
EDIT: Something like this thing http://www.artisan-scientific.com/itemimages/INET_7691_1_View1.JPG
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That would explain the bits sticking out of the rear of the keyboard. Maybe the holes along the side are for closing the rig up. But for the life of me I can't see where you would connect the mouse. May take it apart later when I can dig up a screwdriver.
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The trackpad might have been something custom that only work with the PC.
Do you know if they still might have the computer at your job?
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I didn't see anything similar near it but I'll take a look around tomorrow. I suppose it is most likely that it's as you say. Thanks.
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The casing is probably unique to your particular portable, but the keyboard / trackpad module might be OEM'd by SMK, you'll still find these being made for portables, rack mounts, etc.
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There's a good chance that the trackpad is using one of the extra pins for sending its data (with a shared Clock, VCC, and Ground). PS/2 normally only uses 4 of the 6 available pins.
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EDIT: Something like this thing http://www.artisan-scientific.com/itemimages/INET_7691_1_View1.JPG
This one's keyboard looks closer, if not identical:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]32269[/ATTACH]
Inet (acquired by Tektronix in 2004) Spectra2 portable network analyzer.
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That indeed seems to be it.
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Not sure what you're looking for - I have the "ALPS" stamp and in one corner "5" and in the other any given single capital letter. I only pulled up a few caps but there doesn't seem to be any discernible correlation between the letter and what the key does.
You suppose if I get a PS/2 to USB adapter that only has one PS/2 port the trackpad might work?
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Not if it uses the extra pins in PS/2.
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I have a very similar board which is built into a 19" Rack drawer, nearly identical. Cannot be bothered to take pics right now though cuz I just got home from work. My guess is that it waas a mobile terminal or part of a 19" rackmount control station.
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Might be worth to try the keyboard on a pc with a mouse/keyboard comboplug.