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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Noise Maker on Fri, 25 October 2013, 05:25:42

Title: Found an Ortek MCK-201
Post by: Noise Maker on Fri, 25 October 2013, 05:25:42

Sup, geekhack.
I found an old Ortek MCK-201 with (I think) ALPS switches. I bought it from a guy with a few other keyboards for 4 bucks each.
Here are a few pics I made. I know it's dirty (it was literally covered in dust when I bought it, though). I'll clean it later. http://imgur.com/a/NYZNp#0 (http://imgur.com/a/NYZNp#0)

The keyboard is fully functioning.

I have a few questions, though:

1. I couldn't find the keyboard anywhere for sale, except here:
http://www.bolha.com/racunalnistvo/tipkovnice-miske/racunalniske-tipkovnice/zicne-tipkovnice/tipkovnica-z-mehanskimi-tipkami-ortek-mck-201-sx-fx-ft-1284837872.html?aclct=1380738741 (http://www.bolha.com/racunalnistvo/tipkovnice-miske/racunalniske-tipkovnice/zicne-tipkovnice/tipkovnica-z-mehanskimi-tipkami-ortek-mck-201-sx-fx-ft-1284837872.html?aclct=1380738741)
I doubt 90,00 € is the real price. I want to sell it, because I need the money. Any idea how much an Ortek MCK-201 goes for?
When I have more time I plan to check ALPS keyboards from that year and try to guess the price.

2. What's the difference between MCK-201 and MCK-201 SX/FX/FT

3. Some keycaps (ESC, several F-keys, etc.) are very easy to remove. Others aren't, though. Is it OK to forcefully remove them?

4. I've seen the Ripster guide for taking apart ALPS. It seems likely that I will break some if I were to open them. But I want to clean the keyboard as much as possible. Will opening the keyboard somehow jiggle the ALPS or something? I might open them up (something like Scroll Lock or Pause) and post a guide for those specific ALPS on the Wiki.

5. Are those complicated ALPS?

6. When was it made? I think the date would be stamped inside the keyboard on the parts, like it was inside an NBM RT101+ I once had.

Thanks for the answers, it's the first ALPS keyboard I've ever owned, but sadly I have to sell it for profit.
I might be able to get a whole lot more keyboards, mice and old IBM PCs. I will post everything once I buy them.

Title: Re: Found an Ortek MCK-201
Post by: Reomero on Fri, 25 October 2013, 07:43:45

Nice find Sir.

And those key caps look.... dirty. :p