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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: HotKillerZzz on Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:06:46

Title: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: HotKillerZzz on Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:06:46: i Have a model M keyboard. It has a weird connector that looks like a RJ45. Can i connect this to my pc?
If its possible, how exactly do i Do it?
thanks in advance
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 14 September 2013, 12:13:06: The connector is called an SDL (shielded data link) connector I believe. You can make your own or buy one. Lots of members like orihalcon's usb converters for this. Alternatively, you can buy an sdl ps/2 cable from ebay or unicomp (pckeyboard.com) and use a PS/2 port. If you don't have a PS/2 port, you can connect it with an adapter. I recommend the ID innovations ones, and use one myself for my model M at work.
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 14 September 2013, 14:49:49: Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:06:46
It has a weird connector that looks like a RJ45.

If you mean the computer end of the cable, you will need a converter. I made one easily enough, but I don't know whether you can buy it. Look in Soarer's thread about a month or 2 ago.
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 14 September 2013, 15:27:45: Out of curiosity, what is the part number of the keyboard? You probably need a converter as fohat says.
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: HotKillerZzz on Sun, 15 September 2013, 11:13:39: Is there a guide to making the converter?
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: CPTBadAss on Sun, 15 September 2013, 11:14:40: Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Sun, 15 September 2013, 11:13:39
Is there a guide to making the converter?

Yes, check this out (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=17458.0)
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: HotKillerZzz on Mon, 16 September 2013, 07:34:12: What's this soareer converter zip file for?
And what's a teensy?
And so I just cut a ps2 cable from a old equipment and then attach the wires from rj45 to them according to their labels on the pics?

Thanks guys.
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 16 September 2013, 07:48:48: A Teensy is a little project board

http://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html (http://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html)

You have to connect 4 wires to it, from your keyboard's controller, then it has a mini-USB socket for a standard USB connection to your computer.

It has to be programmed, and Soarer's Converter is very quick and simple. It can be installed inside the case, or you can build an outside box.

My posts #561 and #901 show my box, and post #560 shows the wcass method for programming keys.
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 16 September 2013, 10:42:10: Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Mon, 16 September 2013, 07:34:12
What's this soareer converter zip file for?
And what's a teensy?
And so I just cut a ps2 cable from a old equipment and then attach the wires from rj45 to them according to their labels on the pics?

Thanks guys.

The terminal keyboards use a slightly different signalling protocol to the PS/2 Model Ms, so in order to get consistent behavior, an active adapter is required. The Teensy is a small microcontroller development board which is popular around these parts for making DIY adapters, and Soarer's code is the most popular code for the teensy to make it act as a converter between the terminal keyboard interface and USB.
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: HotKillerZzz on Tue, 17 September 2013, 07:53:15: How do you get a Teensy?
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: 0100010 on Tue, 17 September 2013, 07:55:24: Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Tue, 17 September 2013, 07:53:15
How do you get a Teensy?

Order one online : http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/ (http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/)
Title: Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
Post by: HotKillerZzz on Wed, 18 September 2013, 03:05:52: Any one in Singapore can help me get one?
Still a student no acces to cards or bank accounts.
Thanks!!!