geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: soobaerodude on Wed, 25 March 2009, 18:54:47

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: soobaerodude on Wed, 25 March 2009, 18:54:47

Hey All,

I have a Model M 1391401 with a big 5 pin DIN connector.  I've been trying to hook it up to my MacBook Pro without any success.  I'm using a DIN to ps/2 converter, and tried various ps/2 to usb converters, the latest being this one over at dealextreme (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8909) that supposedly works with Model M's according to one of the reviews and a post in this forum.

Does anyone here have a Model M working with a Macbook Pro?  Do I need to splurge and buy the $15 one over at clickykeyboards.com? Do I need a straight ps/2 SDL?  

Any help appreciated.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: lam47 on Wed, 25 March 2009, 19:02:08

I thought that one worked OK too.

My real reason to post is to congratulate you on being the 500th member of Geekhack.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: ozar on Wed, 25 March 2009, 19:20:41

Welcome to the forums!

Have you tried this one?

http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/SearchDetail.asp?productID=4850

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: neptunebadger on Wed, 25 March 2009, 19:21:02

I have my Model M 1391401 hooked up to my MacBook Pro, but my keyboard has a PS/2 connection with which I use a PS/2 -> USB converter that I got off of monoprice.com. Everything is working fine. Do you know for a fact that your 5-pin DIN -> PS/2 converter is working? If not, that could be the problem.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: FKSSR on Wed, 25 March 2009, 19:48:00

Woah! Member #500!  Welcome!

I don't have any input here, but I am curious to the answer, in case I want to use a Model M on my gf's Macbook.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: iMav on Wed, 25 March 2009, 21:09:56

I never had a problem using my 84-key spacesaver Model M with my MacBook pro, nor the various MacBooks I've owned...with the adapter from clickykeyboards.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: bhtooefr on Wed, 25 March 2009, 21:44:04

Have you tried it on any other machines?

I don't have an MBP, but I've used a Belkin F5U119vE1 with no problem on an iBook G4...

And, you do not need a PS/2 cable. AT is the same protocol, just a different connector, and the adapter is just adapting the connector.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: soobaerodude on Thu, 26 March 2009, 00:52:52

Quote from: neptunebadger;25462

I have my Model M 1391401 hooked up to my MacBook Pro, but my keyboard has a PS/2 connection with which I use a PS/2 -> USB converter that I got off of monoprice.com. Everything is working fine. Do you know for a fact that your 5-pin DIN -> PS/2 converter is working? If not, that could be the problem.

Monoprice carries a bunch of ps/2 -> usb converters.  Which one are you using?

And to others who have asked, yes the keyboard works with my PC/Linux/Windows box connected to the ps/2 port.
In addition, the dealextreme converter + Model M also works when connected to a PC via usb.  I should've read the reviews over at dealextreme a little more closely, as the second review says it doesn't work with macbooks.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: neptunebadger on Thu, 26 March 2009, 02:05:21

Here (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10404&cs_id=1040401&p_id=2274&seq=1&format=2) is the PS/2 -> USB converter I got off of monoprice. It's been working fine for all of my PS/2 boards. All of my experiences with monoprice have been positive.

EDIT: they appear to have changed the product ID, but if you search "6855" on monoprice.com you will find it.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 26 March 2009, 06:45:50

Quote from: neptunebadger;25498

Here (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10404&cs_id=1040401&p_id=2274&seq=1&format=2) is the PS/2 -> USB converter I got off of monoprice. It's been working fine for all of my PS/2 boards. All of my experiences with monoprice have been positive.

I use(d) a Monoprice adapter with my Ms with no problem as well.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: soobaerodude on Tue, 07 April 2009, 00:56:12

Well, I ordered the adapter neptunebadger recommended (after waiting for a week for it to come back into stock :mad: ), and yes!  It works!  I'm typing this response on it.  Thanks for all the help.

Title: I hate bumping old threads, sorry
Post by: jpfsherry on Thu, 22 July 2010, 14:28:34

I have been searching absolutely everywhere for an answer to this problem,
the link that neptunebadger gave unfortunately no longer leads to a specific product

Is there a model number that someone can point me to for that converter?

I'm on my fourth unsuccessful one

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: EverythingIBM on Thu, 22 July 2010, 14:34:52

Quote from: jpfsherry;205361

I have been searching absolutely everywhere for an answer to this problem,
the link that neptunebadger gave unfortunately no longer leads to a specific product

Is there a model number that someone can point me to for that converter?

I'm on my fourth unsuccessful one

It could be an issue with the voltage being used by the model M. Can't you just use a blue cube?

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: jpfsherry on Thu, 22 July 2010, 14:48:51

I can't find anything that confirms it to work with late 2009 15 in macbook unibody.

The keyboard is working
works on startup until I don't type for five minutes
Lights go on and then go off when I plug it into macbook
no plug and play
*plug and play works on all PCs I've tried regardless of adapter

I'm assuming it's a voltage issue, or a mac driver issue

SO frustrating

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: jpfsherry on Thu, 22 July 2010, 15:00:42

Beautiful.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: EverythingIBM on Thu, 22 July 2010, 15:03:41

Quote from: jpfsherry;205377

I can't find anything that confirms it to work with late 2009 15 in macbook unibody.

The keyboard is working
works on startup until I don't type for five minutes
Lights go on and then go off when I plug it into macbook
no plug and play
*plug and play works on all PCs I've tried regardless of adapter

I'm assuming it's a voltage issue, or a mac driver issue

SO frustrating

If you're getting frustrated, take a break, do some more research, and tackle the problem another time. I find if I rest a bit, the solution comes to me later on.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: aegrotatio on Thu, 22 July 2010, 15:40:57

What happens if you plug a powered USB hub (one with an AC adapter) into your Macbook and plug the keyboard into that?  I have a feeling...

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: jpfsherry on Fri, 23 July 2010, 02:52:02

@aegrotatio

I know that when you plug in a hub to a mac, OS X caps the pull at 500 mA

but with an AC adapter..... hmmm..

anyways, can any of you kind people let me know if you've witnessed the blue cube working on a mac machine other than the mac mini (which is very generous with USB power, unlike my notebook)?

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: neptunebadger on Fri, 23 July 2010, 03:53:46

Here (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10404&cs_id=1040401&p_id=6855&seq=1&format=2) is an updated link to the monoprice converter. My previous link broke because they changed the product ID. It's now Product 6855. If you search "6855" on their website, it should also take you there.

This converter works perfectly with all my Model Ms on my 2008 non-unibody MacBook Pro.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: iMav on Fri, 23 July 2010, 04:22:45

I've used a "blue cube" on several models of MBP's without issue. (including a late 2009 13.3" unibody)

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: Rusty Rat on Fri, 23 July 2010, 05:33:03

Quote from: jpfsherry;205546

@aegrotatio

I know that when you plug in a hub to a mac, OS X caps the pull at 500 mA

but with an AC adapter..... hmmm..

anyways, can any of you kind people let me know if you've witnessed the blue cube working on a mac machine other than the mac mini (which is very generous with USB power, unlike my notebook)?

The standard output of any USB port is 500mA. If you need more power then you need a powered hub which supplies 500mA to each hub port. I have Targus and Toshiba powered hubs that also provide a couple of ports with 1000mA.

From memory the Model M draws 110mA but some versions needed more than 500mA to kick up. Some of the IBM PS2 range were supplying 1000mA through their PS2 connectors because some IBM peripherals had all sorts of add ons.

Are you sure you are getting the full whack of power through the USB port? Some HP Notebooks gang the USB ports to share 500mA between ports -perhaps Apple do the same?

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 23 July 2010, 18:21:03

It's a Mac. Those things are crazy (although not as crazy as they used to be).

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: jpfsherry on Fri, 23 July 2010, 21:46:43

Thanks guys,

you have been absurdly helpful and I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in my enthusiasm for legacy buckling spring keyboards and the like.

Title: Model M and MacBook Pro issues
Post by: velociraptor on Sun, 25 July 2010, 15:40:43

Quote from: jpfsherry;205377

I can't find anything that confirms it to work with late 2009 15 in macbook unibody.

The keyboard is working
works on startup until I don't type for five minutes
Lights go on and then go off when I plug it into macbook
no plug and play
*plug and play works on all PCs I've tried regardless of adapter

I'm assuming it's a voltage issue, or a mac driver issue

SO frustrating

This could be the USB power down issue that is common with USB KVMs on Macs.  Try turning off all power saving features while the MBP is on AC power and see if that fixes it.

I have this trouble with my IOGear USB KVM, as well as my stock Apple keyboard on my hackintosh.

=V=

Title: I found a solution!!!
Post by: jpfsherry on Tue, 27 July 2010, 03:16:10

it turns out that this one works fantastically, allowing plug and play. Typing with all of this clicky goodness at the moment!:dance:

http://www.amazon.com/Adesso-Adapter-connects-connectors-ADP-PU21/dp/B00008ZPED