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geekhack Marketplace => Classifieds => Topic started by: N8N on Fri, 17 August 2012, 17:28:22

Title: Silicon Graphics Onyx board
Post by: N8N on Fri, 17 August 2012, 17:28:22
I didn't do my homework and bought a board that was advertised as PS/2 but wasn't.  I went back and looked at the ad and it gave the part numbers, so I'm an idiot.  Make me an offer; space bar and top of case are slightly yellow.  This is the dampened Alps, is why I bought it.  Unfortunately I didn't realize that it wouldn't work until today when I found a PS/2 cable @ Goodwill...
Title: Re: Silicon Graphics Onyx board
Post by: tgujay on Sun, 19 August 2012, 15:06:40
What do you mean it was advertised as PS/2 but wasn't?  If this was on ebay you could very easily dispute the transaction.  What interface does it use if not PS/2?
Title: Re: Silicon Graphics Onyx board
Post by: N8N on Sun, 19 August 2012, 15:50:30
It uses a PS/2 connector, but actually communicates through an SGI proprietary protocol.  Unfortunately it looks identical to the real deal PS/2 Granite dampened Alps board and I didn't check the numbers.  Was not advertised as tested or working, so it's not like the seller actually tried it and misrepresented it...  The ad did say PS/2 but that is the only inaccuracy, and it is in fact a PS/2 connector.  I also got it like a month ago and have been too busy to get a cable (I didn't have a single detachable PS/2 cable in my junk box) until I picked one up at the Goodwill the other day.

If someone wanted to take an old AT101 and do a vulcan keyboard meld to get the "good" switches, this might work.  In fact I wonder if the matrix is the same; the case looks very similar.  Unfortunately the only other Alps board I have laying around is an AT101W that's well loved.
Title: Re: Silicon Graphics Onyx board
Post by: Findecanor on Sun, 19 August 2012, 18:22:32
I had one of these a year ago. Then I found a guy who collected SGI equipment. He had an even rarer vintage Cherry board, and we swapped.

BTW, what is the model number on your board? I had forgot to write mine down.