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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: The_Beast on Sat, 15 June 2013, 17:47:13

Title: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: The_Beast on Sat, 15 June 2013, 17:47:13
First off, how do I open it? What's the easiest way to convert the 4p4c connector to something that I can use (PS2 works, USB is better) that's also cheap?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: rainb1ood on Sat, 15 June 2013, 18:14:47
There are screws underneath the round rubber pads.
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: khaangaaroo on Sat, 15 June 2013, 18:15:20
I think the Dolch logo on the bottom has a screw hidden underneath it. Logo on the top does not, but I could be wrong. it's been a while since I took one apart.
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: khaangaaroo on Sat, 15 June 2013, 18:16:54
There are screws underneath the round rubber pads.

 or probably that. try the feet before the logo...haha
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 15 June 2013, 18:17:23
It's bolted together, but there is one hidden under the logo badge so you will have to remove it with a hobbyknife or something. If you're not going to use it with a PAC ever again, I would just solder on PS/2 cable.
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 15 June 2013, 19:29:23
When you put it back together again, note that the screws are of different sizes. The short screws go in the front and the long screws go in the back.

The cable is connected to a 4p4c connector on the inside. I put a 4p4c plug on a old PS/2 cable. I used my "craft scissors" (the ones I abuse :) ) to strip the end of the PS/2 cable and crimped the connector with a screwdriver, but with a proper crimping tool you should be able to do both faster and cleaner.
From the Deskthority Wiki (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_G80-1813#Dolch):
Quote
The pins are GND, +5V, kb data, kb clock (in order on the keyboard's side). Dolch PAC-65 keyboards with trackpoints have a larger modular connector and cable.
There is also a image floating around in one of these Dolch threads that shows the pinout.
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: The_Beast on Sat, 15 June 2013, 19:58:28
I just received the keyboard and I'm sure I will never find or use a PCB.

So all I need is a PS2 cable and solder them to the right places on the PCB according to the pinout guide that Findecanor posted?
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 15 June 2013, 20:57:43
Right. It's what I did on mine. Here are some more details and pictures and stuff in this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42781.0).
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: The_Beast on Sat, 15 June 2013, 21:21:26
Right. It's what I did on mine. Here are some more details and pictures and stuff in this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42781.0).

I finally got it apart. Who thought it was a good idea to glue over the screw heads!?@!

Anyways, now all I need to do is find a PS2 cable and add a plate!
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 15 June 2013, 21:22:13
Right. It's what I did on mine. Here are some more details and pictures and stuff in this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42781.0).

I finally got it apart. Who thought it was a good idea to glue over the screw heads!?@!

Anyways, now all I need to do is find a PS2 cable and add a plate!

I dismembered an old PS/2 mouse for my Dolch PAC. 
Title: Re: Dolch keyboard questions
Post by: The_Beast on Sat, 15 June 2013, 21:24:29
Right. It's what I did on mine. Here are some more details and pictures and stuff in this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42781.0).

I finally got it apart. Who thought it was a good idea to glue over the screw heads!?@!

Anyways, now all I need to do is find a PS2 cable and add a plate!

I dismembered an old PS/2 mouse for my Dolch PAC. 

I was thinking of sweet talking TJ for a nice sleeved PS2 cable :P