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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nappi11 on Thu, 30 May 2013, 15:08:19

Title: [SOLVED] Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: nappi11 on Thu, 30 May 2013, 15:08:19
Hi, how's it going gentlemen? Enjoying summer like I do or what, lol  :p

Well, let's get to the point then. I got this keyboard few months ago, and I've been using it this far. I've tried to identify its model and manufacturer, but It has not been easy. Here's few pictures:

(http://i.imgur.com/zTCkYbTh.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/sOuFNZeh.jpg)

As you can see, the layout is not normal ISO, and it has complicated blue alps switches. I've opened one and checked it. You can also notice that there is no sign from the manufacturer or model on the case, not even at the bottom of it. The PCB said "Focus FK-747A ", but google didn't help. Could this be some OEM-keyboard or something like that? Rare one, perhaps? :D

And yes this keyboard has a problem with my schitty computer. I must use din5-ps2-usb adapters to make this work with this piece of IT, and of course it won't work correctly. The keyboard loses connection randomly, and returns back if you don't type for a second. Caps- , num-, and scroll lock lights flashes when doing this, like the same when plugging the keyboard to computer. This is very irritating when playing games, because you must wait few seconds before you can do anything. Strange is that the keyboard works fine with other computers, but not with mine. Even I have usb 3.0 card installed at my computer, and the keyboard plugged to it. Any ideas what to do?

Well, this kind of stuff this time. If you wan't to whine about my crappy spelling and grammar, please send pm, so others don't have to read the offtopic whining. 


Regards nappi11
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 30 May 2013, 15:13:58
I can't help you, but it'd be useful to include a photo of the underside with any labels on it visible.
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: Magna224 on Thu, 30 May 2013, 16:56:28
I haven't seen that one before. The older focus keyboards are pretty good though.
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: Soarer on Thu, 30 May 2013, 18:25:52
The problems sound like a crappy ps2-usb converter... could try to find a 'blue cube'... or build a converter using a Teensy if you can solder.
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: Hak Foo on Thu, 30 May 2013, 19:37:39
I saw someone posted in another forum an old Northgate ad where a very similar board was offered.  They pushed the ALPS switches hard.

This is an AT-style layout, it is sort of neither ISO nor ANSI.
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: nappi11 on Fri, 31 May 2013, 03:55:28
Okay, thank you guys, let's se...

Quote from: Photoelectric on Thu, 30 May 2013, 15:13:58
I can't help you, but it'd be useful to include a photo of the underside with any labels on it visible.

Here's few pics from underside:
(http://i.imgur.com/pT9GD4Ih.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/D3busKch.jpg)

Those labels didn't tell me anything at all. There also is an at/xt switch, but the picture isn't large enough.

Quote from: Soarer on Thu, 30 May 2013, 18:25:52
The problems sound like a crappy ps2-usb converter... could try to find a 'blue cube'... or build a converter using a Teensy if you can solder.

I have tried some old key tronics and random fujitsus with this adapter, and they work great. And this keyboard works fine if I plug it to some another computer, the connection problem occurs only with my computer and with this keyboard.

Quote from: Hak Foo on Thu, 30 May 2013, 19:37:39
I saw someone posted in another forum an old Northgate ad where a very similar board was offered.  They pushed the ALPS switches hard.

This is an AT-style layout, it is sort of neither ISO nor ANSI.

I found this thread: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=10664.0
The keyboard is same, and they think it is a northgate, but the pcb happens to say it is made by focus. I don't know if focus made pcb:s to northgate, but still there is no a sign on the case about manufacturer.

PS more pictures available here: http://imgur.com/a/7uxgy
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: Soarer on Fri, 31 May 2013, 08:47:29
Quote from: nappi11 on Fri, 31 May 2013, 03:55:28
Quote from: Soarer on Thu, 30 May 2013, 18:25:52
The problems sound like a crappy ps2-usb converter... could try to find a 'blue cube'... or build a converter using a Teensy if you can solder.

I have tried some old key tronics and random fujitsus with this adapter, and they work great. And this keyboard works fine if I plug it to some another computer, the connection problem occurs only with my computer and with this keyboard.

How very odd! Is that still using the ps2-usb converter on the other computer?
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: nappi11 on Fri, 31 May 2013, 09:02:56
Quote from: Soarer on Fri, 31 May 2013, 08:47:29
How very odd! Is that still using the ps2-usb converter on the other computer?

Yes, I've tried both with it and without it and works perfectly. Someone told me to adjust usb polling rate, but I just can't believe it could work.
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: nappi11 on Sat, 01 June 2013, 15:10:14
Any ideas?
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: Bratman on Sat, 01 June 2013, 16:26:07
That's a Focus FK-747, it's 30 years old.
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: Soarer on Sat, 01 June 2013, 16:52:58
Quote from: nappi11 on Fri, 31 May 2013, 09:02:56
Quote from: Soarer on Fri, 31 May 2013, 08:47:29
How very odd! Is that still using the ps2-usb converter on the other computer?

Yes, I've tried both with it and without it and works perfectly. Someone told me to adjust usb polling rate, but I just can't believe it could work.

I can't see how that would work either.

Possibly a power problem... could try different USB ports or a powered hub to try and rule it out.
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: nappi11 on Sun, 02 June 2013, 02:52:35
Quote from: Bratman on Sat, 01 June 2013, 16:26:07
That's a Focus FK-747, it's 30 years old.

Okay thanks.

Quote from: Soarer on Sat, 01 June 2013, 16:52:58
I can't see how that would work either.

Possibly a power problem... could try different USB ports or a powered hub to try and rule it out.

I've been thinking about that too. It feels like the motherboard stops giving power to the keyboard, because the lights flash like when plugging the keyboard in. It is like the motherboard forgets the keyboard and stops giving power, and then suddenly notices that "hey the kb is plugged in idiot me" and starts giving power again.

At the moment the keyboard is plugged to pci-e usb 3.0 card, but the problem still occurs. I have a normal usb hub, I'll try with it. Let's see what happens, probably the ping between keyboard and computer is over 5000 ms.
Title: Re: Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: mich on Sun, 02 June 2013, 05:29:07
LED blinking can indeed be caused by USB hub disconnecting the port due to overcurrent, but also by PS2 adapter firmware crashing, resetting and sending a reset command to the keyboard.

I also have an adapter which occasionally drops from the bus and resets and I never really found out why.
Title: Re: [SOLVED] Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: nappi11 on Thu, 15 August 2013, 09:22:37
Finally found a solution, it really was the adapter as some people said before. I bought this and works fine, didn't even break the wallet:
(http://www.45.fi/shop/bmz_cache/6/64b597188f24e890b3cfbe05930430c6.image.733x550.JPG)

The price was 3.55€ inc. shippings. Not bad imo.

Thanks to everyone for all your advices!
Title: Re: [SOLVED] Identifying a strange keyboard and solving its even stranger problem
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 15 August 2013, 16:50:56
Quote from: nappi11 on Thu, 15 August 2013, 09:22:37
Finally found a solution, it really was the adapter as some people said before. I bought this and works fine, didn't even break the wallet:
Show Image
(http://www.45.fi/shop/bmz_cache/6/64b597188f24e890b3cfbe05930430c6.image.733x550.JPG)


The price was 3.55€ inc. shippings. Not bad imo.

Thanks to everyone for all your advices!

And it's transparent blue too!

(My first ever USB peripheral was a transparent blue game controller.)