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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: dada on Mon, 17 September 2012, 09:02:27
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Hi there. I just bought an IBM Model M keyboard which I intend to use with a retro gaming rig that I built. Its motherboard has a Din5 connector, so I won't need an adapter to be able to use the Model M. However, I was wondering, is Din5 NKRO? Or like 6KRO, or something else? I couldn't very easily find this via Google, only PS/2 and USB.
Thanks :)
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I'm pretty sure that all Model Ms are only 2KRO.
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I'm pretty sure that all Model Ms are only 2KRO.
Just did some searching for that and wow, you're right, I didn't know about that. Hm! I might have decided against my purchase had I known that in advance. But I'm going through the games I play in my mind and I don't think there are that many where I actually have to press lots of keys. Who knows, I guess I'll have to see. I've seen a bunch of posts by people saying it's not a big deal.
Just out of interest, though, does Din5 support NKRO like PS/2 does, for keyboards that do support it?
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I think so. I know that the AT Model F's have NKRO, so I would have to assume that 5-pin DIN supports NKRO.
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I'm pretty sure the 5-pin DIN is electrically similar to a normal PS2 port, which explains it.
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I'm pretty sure the 5-pin DIN is electrically similar to a normal PS2 port, which explains it.
If it is AT, yes, but not for XT, because XT has two start bits and no parity bit. Both use 5 Pin male connector and so did most connectors at the time.
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AT can be NKRO if the hardware/firmware supports it. I have a couple older Cherry AT that are NKRO. Just as PS/2 and usb can be NKRO if they made the firmware support it. I also have some boards that are only 2KRO to 6KRO. So the interface dosen't really have anything to do with it (though USB is limited to 6KRO if they follow the protocol standard strictly, but tricks are used on USB to go beyond it), and it's mostly down to the firmware and if it has the neccessary diodes etc that will allow it.