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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: exe_arco on Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:39:27

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: exe_arco on Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:39:27

So a day ago I found quite an interesting find.

It's this AT&T keyboard that has a Male Serial connector.

(http://oi50.tinypic.com/ev2psm.jpg)

Here's a picture of the connector.
(http://oi46.tinypic.com/17x1yg.jpg)

Now, how would I go about using this in a modern computer.

I have a male serial to PS/2 connector and I tried using that but to no avail.

I had it hooked up as (keyboards male serial)(female to female)(male serial to ps2)(ps/2 port) and nothing would work.

Does any one have any other info about this odd keyboard, as it has exactly the same buckling spring as an IBM MODEL M and removable keycaps.

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: MMB on Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:46:03

This guy makes custom connectors. He is really helpful, too. He might be able to make a USB adapter for you.

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/orihalcon?ssPageName=ADME:X:CEM:MOTORS:1181

This is the same guy that makes the IBM Model M to USB adapters, that don't suffer from key rollover, and other issues.
I would suggest sending him a message, sending pics and asking.

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: exe_arco on Wed, 13 June 2012, 15:12:30

Quote

This guy makes custom connectors. He is really helpful, too. He might be able to make a USB adapter for you.

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/o...EM:MOTORS:1181

This is the same guy that makes the IBM Model M to USB adapters, that don't suffer from key rollover, and other issues.
I would suggest sending him a message, sending pics and asking.

I would prefer to find a way to do this my self but if nothing arrives I'll contact him.

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: exe_arco on Wed, 13 June 2012, 15:24:19

Quote

This guy makes custom connectors. He is really helpful, too. He might be able to make a USB adapter for you.

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/o...EM:MOTORS:1181

This is the same guy that makes the IBM Model M to USB adapters, that don't suffer from key rollover, and other issues.
I would suggest sending him a message, sending pics and asking.

I would prefer to find a way to do this my self but if nothing arrives I'll contact him.

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 13 June 2012, 16:14:10

Orihalcoin does good work.

I have, or had, a serial-to-PS2 connector, but it may need to be "active"

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 13 June 2012, 16:55:18

Don't go about chaining adapters willy-nilly, you don't want to put +5V on something you're not supposed to. I would open up the board and see if there are signs that it uses PS/2 on the PCB.

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: exe_arco on Wed, 13 June 2012, 18:16:32

Quote from: REVENGE;612918

Don't go about chaining adapters willy-nilly, you don't want to put +5V on something you're not supposed to. I would open up the board and see if there are signs that it uses PS/2 on the PCB.

What would be the signs that it uses PS/2?

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 13 June 2012, 22:58:47

Quote from: exe_arco;612974

What would be the signs that it uses PS/2?

Well, if there are pads or through-holes labeled as 5v, ground, clock, and signal, it could be a sign that it uses AT.

Title: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
Post by: mich on Thu, 14 June 2012, 02:20:05

This is a typical pattern for old XT,AT and PS/2  keyboards.

First, look for capacitors as they will give away the ground and power supply lines. Once you identify these lines, check if remaining two lines are pulled to VCC by 2k-4k resistors. If your circuit matches this schema then it's almost certainly XT/AT or PS/2.

Code: [Select]


                            _____
vcc -----+-----+-----+------|    |
         |     |    _|_+    |    |
        | |   | |   ___     |    |
         |     |     |      |    |
data ----+-----|-----|------|    |
               |     |      |    |
               |     |      | uC |
               |     |      |    |
clock ---------+-----|------|    |
                     |      |    |
                     |      |    |
                     |      |    |
ground --------------+------|____|          



ground --------------------- metal parts in the keyboard


If in doubt, post a pic.