geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: CalmB4tehPwn on Thu, 22 August 2013, 04:56:33
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I've got minimal experience with soldering, and have a new solder station on the way. I recently found a nice little DIN 6 keyboard that I actually like quite a bit, but I would also like to... use it?
So, is it possible to just hack off a DIN 6 connector and put a USB in it's place?
Also, would the keyboard work? Or is there more to it than that?
Also, would this be advisable? There's a good chance I'll be looking to sell this at some point, so assuming this is all possible, would it take away the value of this nice little vintage board?
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I don't see why you couldn't just Soarer/Teensy mod the board. I know that my Siig Minitouch has a Din6 Connector and I run a Din6 to Ps/2 adapter then PS/2 to USB adapter. Seems like your idea would work. Go look up the thread on it the Soarer mod.
Yes it will work since I type on my Minitouch. And it depends on the keyboard more than anything. Just because you mod it doesn't mean it adds to or takes away from the value. But I think in this case it would add to a little value because it's nice to have straight up USB connection that works. Sometimes I don't like hunting vintage stuff since they have weird connectors or protocols that don't work with modern computers and renders the keyboard a paperweight.
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Soarer mod. Okay.
I have to learn this then. Should be fun. I'm assuming it's just adding a controlled to the board that all the connections would be wired into, and the controller is USB compatible?
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I'll do this myself now and report back.
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Involves a Teensy. I don't know a lot off the top of my head. I just know it works. Like I said, there's a massive thread that should be able to help you out. It's even sticky-ed.
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Cool. thanks.
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http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=17458.0
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Is "DIN 6" what we often call the "AT" plug or the "XT" - that is - a 180 degree layout?
My F-122s use the 240 degree span, and they all (except "mini-DIN6" aka PS/2) have 5 pins but only use 4.
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It's AT fohats.digs. For some reason, I fell into calling it DIN6.
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I'm investigating this mod option myself, as I have a couple of Focus keyboards I want to fit with detachable USB cables. Need to order some Teensy boards, I just got six Teensy break-out PCBs from OSH Park. Also need some sort of USB connector for the cases...
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If you build an outboard box, you only need 1 Teensy.
I have used this with a variety of adapters - PS/2-to-AT, 240-degree-to-AT, RJ45-to-AT and all seemed to work fine for both conventional and terminal keyboards.
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If you build an outboard box, you only need 1 Teensy.
I have used this with a variety of adapters - PS/2-to-AT, 240-degree-to-AT, RJ45-to-AT and all seemed to work fine for both conventional and terminal keyboards.
That is true... I even have a small(ish) box from Radio Shack I could use for this. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Well I wired up my din focus board via usb, it seems to make a connection but says 'usb device not recognised.
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Well I wired up my din focus board via usb, it seems to make a connection but says 'usb device not recognised.
Can you type on it? It sounds like we'd need the internals from one of those PS2-to-USB adapters.
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Well I wired up my din focus board via usb, it seems to make a connection but says 'usb device not recognised.
Can you type on it? It sounds like we'd need the internals from one of those PS2-to-USB adapters.
The LEDs come on, but don't react to me pressing the lock keys. Then this message comes up : http://i.imgur.com/XCLXQ9J.png
I can't type on it :/
If you wanna try it yourself, connect these wires together :
Din>usb
thick black cable that's screwed onto the plate>black
thin black cable > red
grey>green
red>white