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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: mikemarino on Sat, 14 January 2012, 21:31:11

Title: Model M Curly Cord Replacement
Post by: mikemarino on Sat, 14 January 2012, 21:31:11

I have been using my model m keyboard for quite some time now and I feel my biggest issue with the keyboard is the curly cord that it comes with. I have the ps2 version with a removable cable. Has anyone had any success changing the cable out for a straight one? I wouldn't be into doing a USB mod, or anything like that as it would seem overkill but  I would be interested in making a straight cable myself if I could find some connectors that would work on the keyboard side. I always assumed it was proprietary connection. Does anyone else know?

Title: Model M Curly Cord Replacement
Post by: KillerBee on Sat, 14 January 2012, 23:27:15

contact unicomp for a straight cable, I picked one up and its great

Title: Model M Curly Cord Replacement
Post by: Thinkpad Fan on Sun, 15 January 2012, 09:58:34

And the regular IBM Model M curly cable is available in a short length, as well as a really long length, too.  Check with ClickyKeyboards.com
Thinkpad Fan

Title: Model M Curly Cord Replacement
Post by: mikemarino on Sun, 15 January 2012, 19:33:31

Thanks guys,

I just shot unicomp an email, hopefully they still have a few straight cables. It's not that the length is too short, but more so that curly cord gets caught up on everything.

Title: Model M Curly Cord Replacement
Post by: mikemarino on Wed, 25 January 2012, 19:52:45

I did get a response from unicomp regarding the straight cable:
   
"Jan 16 (9 days ago)   
The detachable cables we sell are all coiled. You can order at our web site: www.pckeyboard.com."


 It doesn't seem like they have it available. Did anyone else have any other ideas?

Title: Model M Curly Cord Replacement
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 25 January 2012, 20:20:39

I agree, coiled cords are goofy. I have never done this, but maybe I will.

chop job time.

if you are a serious keyboard user, you must have junk keyboards collecting dust, or go to a yard sale or thrift store and buy a board just for the PS/2 cord to be cut off (way cheaper than buying something new at a computer store).

it is too bad that the curls are closer to the SDL end, your splice patch will be harder to hide.