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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: CX23882 on Sat, 16 May 2009, 14:52:45

Title: Unicomp Customizer 104/105 USB - USB Only?
Post by: CX23882 on Sat, 16 May 2009, 14:52:45: Does anybody have a (native) USB Customizer? Can it also be connected via PS/2 with a passive adapter or is it USB-only?

Finally, have you noticed any problems with the USB variant?

I'm seriously considering buying a USB Customizer 105 but I'm on the fence between that and going for the more proven PS/2 variant.
Title: Unicomp Customizer 104/105 USB - USB Only?
Post by: Xuan on Sat, 16 May 2009, 15:50:30: I have one, and in can't be done. I tried once with an adaptor that came with some mouse (ms i think).
No problems so far, I prefer PS2 too but I bought this as I don't think ps2'll be around for long.
Title: Unicomp Customizer 104/105 USB - USB Only?
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 16 May 2009, 17:06:07: Quote from: Xuan;91249
I have one, and in can't be done. I tried once with an adaptor that came with some mouse (ms i think).
No problems so far, I prefer PS2 too but I bought this as I don't think ps2'll be around for long.

I'm by no means an expert, but I think the adapter that comes with a mouse does not work with a keyboard. I have one that came with my Cherry keyboard, but it's at work. I'll do the test next week.
Title: Unicomp Customizer 104/105 USB - USB Only?
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 20 May 2009, 07:20:47: I tried my USB Customizer with the adapter which came with my Cherry. It did not work even after a reboot.
Title: Unicomp Customizer 104/105 USB - USB Only?
Post by: CX23882 on Wed, 20 May 2009, 12:04:46: Thank-you for trying that out.

I still think I'll order the USB version, because as you say, PS/2's days seem to be numbered.
Title: Unicomp Customizer 104/105 USB - USB Only?
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 20 May 2009, 12:22:01: Quote from: CX23882;91764
Thank-you for trying that out.

I still think I'll order the USB version, because as you say, PS/2's days seem to be numbered.

No problem. I do think that nowadays USB is kind of a safer bet.

I did not have a USB problem per se. But if I pressed hard above the numerical keyboard, the LED board will come into contact with the metal plate and cause a short-circuit. You'll then get a message that a USB device is pulling too much power. I accidentally found this. If you are just typing, you'll never get this problem.
Title: Unicomp Customizer 104/105 USB - USB Only?
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 21 May 2009, 08:57:32: Quote from: ripster;91773
Easy fix (at least on a Unicomp Spacesaver):

Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=2227&d=1238862963)

Electrical tape - don't leave home without it.

Might as well change the leds (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?t=5649) while you're in there.

Yes, that was the solution indeed. I described how I found out about this problem in another thread. I would have preferred black electrical tape, but he only had the yellow one...just kidding.

The LEDs don't bother me at all. Most of the time there is none of three on. I use it on a MacBook, so apart from the very rare occasions that use the Caps Lock, they stay off.
Title: Unicomp Customizer 104/105 USB - USB Only?
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 21 May 2009, 10:06:17: Quote from: ripster;91890
Patrick, LOL - you probably gave me the original idea to do this then since I never had the problem but thought I should do a fix while it was opened up for the LED swap.

It was me :-)

Quote

Nice pic of your kid BTW in your Avatar. I like how you're propping him up as you take the picture.

Thanks. It was my wife who took the picture. They are currently on the other side of the planet visiting family. I miss them a lot as you can imagine.