geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kheath812 on Mon, 16 January 2012, 04:58:35

Title: Not sure what kind of switches are in my rather old keyboard.
Post by: kheath812 on Mon, 16 January 2012, 04:58:35

I know it's a stretch but i'm wondering if I cant get some help figuring out what kind of switches my keyboard has. I'm looking to buy a new keyboard and i'd like the feel of the keypress and the sound to remain as similar as possible, but I cannot find any specs on my keyboard because i'm pretty sure it's discontinued.

Compaq PS/2 Keyboard
Model 5107
P/N 5187-2154

i.imgur.com / I73B6.jpg   <- picture of the keyboard for reference.

I've looked at the differences between switch types but it's a little hard to figure out which is similar to mine when this is pretty much the only keyboard i've ever used so i dont have a feel for comparison. Is there an easy way to figure out what kind of switches it has? like taking a key off and it being a certain color underneath? Forgive my retardation, I'm lost and confused. :(

-I took a keycap off and there doesnt seem to be any kind of switch or spring or anything. Deep inside the square hole that the keycap sticks on there seems to be a little white rubbery circle. Any idea what that is?

Title: Not sure what kind of switches are in my rather old keyboard.
Post by: cactux on Mon, 16 January 2012, 05:03:36

If you have the keyboard, remove one of the keycaps and take a picture ( remove any keycap from a-z)

Title: Not sure what kind of switches are in my rather old keyboard.
Post by: Tony on Mon, 16 January 2012, 06:57:15

No + sign? So it's a rubber dome I guess.

For easy inspection, get several keycaps off and take a closeup picture.

Title: Not sure what kind of switches are in my rather old keyboard.
Post by: flyball on Mon, 16 January 2012, 08:24:04

Quote from: kheath812;491541

-I took a keycap off and there doesnt seem to be any kind of switch or spring or anything. Deep inside the square hole that the keycap sticks on there seems to be a little white rubbery circle. Any idea what that is?

sounds like a dome.

Quote from: Tony;491575

No + sign? So it's a rubber dome I guess.

incorrect

Title: Not sure what kind of switches are in my rather old keyboard.
Post by: cactux on Mon, 16 January 2012, 14:17:18

Dome

Title: Not sure what kind of switches are in my rather old keyboard.
Post by: kheath812 on Mon, 16 January 2012, 14:41:35

sorry for the slow response, i guess you guys figured it out. but here are the pictures anyway:

i.imgur.com /SMjIu.jpg
i.imgur.com /uyRo3.jpg

are keyboards with "dome switches" even made anymore? modern keyboards anyway? and if not is there any type of cherry switch which feels the same/similar?

Title: Not sure what kind of switches are in my rather old keyboard.
Post by: cactux on Mon, 16 January 2012, 14:50:58

^ most of the keyboards out there uses ruber domes.

Title: Not sure what kind of switches are in my rather old keyboard.
Post by: kheath812 on Mon, 16 January 2012, 14:54:14

thanks for the response :)